Skincare products are formulated to help you cleanse, exfoliate, and counter surface odors. But most of these daily use sunscreens, face wash, shampoos, conditioners, and cold creams contain chemicals. Regular use only increases the concentration of such chemicals on the skin that can possibly trigger skin irritation, allergies, and even skin disorders like eczema. It is better to switch to more organic to lower this risk. Here are five major skincare ingredients to avoid and better protect your skin.
Parabens
You must have come across so many products these days that come with a paraben free disclaimer. That’s mainly because parabens are one of the most used preservative ingredients in almost all cosmetic products, especially fragrances. Compounds like propylparaben and Iosbutylparaben will increase the shelf life of the product but are really harmful for sensitive skin and people with eczema.
Moisturizing agents
Lanolin, propylene glycol , and petroleum jelly are largely used in moisturizing products or protective lotions. But improper refining processes trigger a release of harmful carcinogens called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These are skin irritants that further worsen the symptoms of atopic dermatitis or eczema. It is one of the skincare ingredients to avoid at all costs.
Synthetic fragrances
Fragrances are formulated to mask the body odor and provide long lasting effect even on hot summer days. But a lot of these fragrances are made with chemicals and added scents that may smell good, but trigger skin irritation. Many everyday skincare products are also laced with such fragrances to mask the smell of the base formula. Even unscented products contain some strong ingredient that was added to mask the original smell of the product. So, it is better to go for “fragrance free” products.
Essential oils
There are many common essential oils including tea tree, mint, citrus, and lavender oils that trigger skin irritation and dryness when used regularly. Many products feature these natural oils in their formula. However, studies reveal that these oils increase the risk of allergic dermatitis. The risk is high when mixed with other synthetic fragrances and odor dampeners used in daily skin care products.
Harsh preservatives
Shampoos, body wash products, and face wash are mostly laced with preservatives and skin bleaching ingredients. Read labels to check if these products contain Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Cocamidopropyl betaine, and Hydroquinone among the main ingredients for the formula. These are skincare ingredients to avoid and lower the risk of prolonged skin damage.
https://theeverygirl.com/skincare-ingredients-to-avoid-if-you-have-sensitive-skin/
https://thegoodfaceproject.com/articles/toxic-ingredients-to-avoid-in-cosmetics
https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/toxic-skincare-ingredients-to-avoid/
