Skincare Ingredients to Avoid for Healthier Skin

Taking care of our skin both internally and externally is a must. And, when it comes to our skincare routine, we'll want to keep a close eye on our skincare ingredients.

Sure, the list of substances to avoid in our cosmetic products seems to be expanding by the minute. But, it doesn't mean you should hate every ingredient brought up. Much of it has to do with marketing, and fresh scientific findings on what is and isn't healthy for your skin are constantly published.

So, keep on reading to learn all about toxic skincare ingredients that you'll want to avoid. After all, healthy skin is like Rome, it wasn't built in a day.

The Most Common of All Skincare Ingredients: Fragrance

This broad definition includes all man-made fragrances. There are more than 3,000 chemical components that may be identified in these fellows. And, they include known allergens and identified hormone disruptors.

As a result, the perfume ingredients contained in cosmetics are legally protected in the United States of America.

Why? The reason for this is that they are still considered to be a "trade secret." They can't identify them because of this categorization.

Almost every kind of cosmetic (and other locations in your house) contains this toxin. If the ingredient list includes the words "fragrance" or "perfume," then any of these substances might be part of the product.

Phthalates

A family of plasticizing compounds includes phthalates such as DBP, DEHP, and DEP. They help to keep the scents in your skin care products in place or to make the product itself more flexible.

These substances can affect our endocrine system take a hit and even poison our organs. They have the potential to lead to birth problems.

A prohibition on this component family in cosmetics and skin care products has already taken effect in the European Union. But, the FDA is still keeping tabs on its usage. Manufacturers must list this substance, however, there is a severe gap in the FDA's standards. 

Soap, shampoo, deodorant, body lotion, nail polish, hairspray, and aftershave lotion. All of these are among the most frequent goods containing synthetic fragrances.

Parabens

As a preservative, parabens (methylparabens, isobutylparabens, proplyparabens, and others) are often found in skin care products.

A large body of data suggests that this chemical family is an endocrine disruptor. This means that it interferes with the body's hormone systems. In addition, this class of chemicals can cause allergic reactions.

Shampoo, face wash, body wash, lotion, and foundation are the most usual places to find them.

Formaldehyde

Hair straightening treatments, nail paint, eyelash glue, and other cosmetics all contain formaldehyde. This is all in spite of decades of study showing it to be a proven carcinogen.

Fortunately, several merchants (such as Whole Foods, CVS, and Target) are beginning to restrict formaldehyde-containing goods off their shelves. It's a welcome development.

However, there is a snag. Formaldehyde has become a well-known harmful chemical to avoid in beauty products. But, many don't know about the lesser-known compounds which produce formaldehyde that you find in cosmetics today.

To put it another way, although the term "formaldehyde" is unlikely to appear on an ingredient list, it might hide beneath another name.

Fragrance preservatives such as DMDM hydantoin and Bronopol, as well as Ureas such as imidazolidinyl urea and trimethylolpropane, slowly create formaldehyde. To put it another way, try to avoid it if you can.

Lead

As an impurity, you'll find lead in a wide range of cosmetics, from lipstick to blush to compact powder to shampoo and even body lotion. Lead exists naturally in the environment.

Scientists couldn't establish a safe blood lead level despite FDA efforts to prohibit cosmetics with "unsafe" amounts of lead. Lead may potentially be a carcinogen, as data reveals. Blood and neurological system damage are other possible side effects of high lead levels.

To summarize, this is a key element to avoid while caring for your skin.

Triclosan

Hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps typically include this antimicrobial agent, which connects to such substantial effects on thyroid and reproductive hormones that it is now prohibited in some countries worldwide.

Deodorant, mouthwash, shaving cream, and toothpaste may still include notwithstanding the prohibition in the United States.

Ethanolamines

If you're sensitive to specific substances, you may want to steer clear of these emulsifiers (found in foundation, mascara, and skincare products) since the EWG identified them to be allergens.

It's possible that they'll be under the label of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, or triethanolamine, depending on the source (TEA).

Octinoxate and Oxybenzone

Lotions, lip balms, cleansers, perfumes, and even infant products all include the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone, which is a possible endocrine disruptor.

A ubiquitous sunscreen component that was initially considered to destroy coral reefs, even if that may have just been proved untrue, octinoxate still irritates delicate skin.

Homosalate

Another UV absorber typically found in sunscreens, oxybenzone is a popular ingredient.

While octinoxate and oxybenzone are becoming more popular, homosalate is still widely utilized. Look at your labels.

Coal Tar

Surprised to find this on your face care ingredients list? Toxic to the respiratory system, it is a proven carcinogen and skin allergy, coal tar is a waste product of the coal processing industry.

Manufacturers like putting it in hair colors and anti-dandruff shampoos.

EDTA: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid

It's a binding agent used in cosmetics to make them more stable and to reduce the reactivity of metal ions.

The EWG rates EDTA as having a minimal risk of harming your organs, although it has been shown to cause skin, eye, and lung irritations. Hair color, moisturizers, and other beauty products may include it.

Benzalkonium Chloride

As a preservative and surfactant, this disinfectant is often utilized. In addition to home cleaning items, it has found its way into personal care products like deodorant and moisturizers. There is evidence that this component may cause serious allergic reactions on the skin, eyes, and respiratory tracts.

Antimicrobials like this one may also contribute to the growth and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in your house if you use them too often. Deodorants, sunscreens, and moisturizing creams all include aluminum chloride.

Hydroquinone

In many over-the-counter medicines, hydroquinone is an active component. Aside from scents and skin-lightening chemicals, you'll also find it in food and cosmetics.

It has been related to cancer and skin irritations, as well as organ damage.

PEG: Polyethylene Glycol

In many skin care products, this component works as a thickening and a moisture transporter. It's also used as a softener or solvent in cosmetics.

This substance has the risk of being contaminated with carcinogens including ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which have a large body of evidence to support their carcinogenicity. Creams, sunscreen, and shampoo are the most usual places you'll find them.

SLS: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Foaming agent and washing agent SLS may cause skin, eye, and lung irritations. It may also cause allergic reactions. The possibility that it is an environmental toxin, as well as a poison to non-reproductive organs, has been raised.

Shampoo, body wash, and bubble baths are among the most usual places to find it.

SLES: Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Aside from the 1,4-dioxane contamination, SLES is utilized in a similar manner as SLS.

Because 1,4-dioxane's principal application is to reduce the harshness of other compounds, this is a serious issue. 1,4-dioxane is also a recognized carcinogen, as previously stated.

Despite the high level of worry about irritation of the skin, eyes, and lungs, there is still a lack of evidence on the extra problems that repeated exposure to this specific component may bring.

Aluminum 

The endocrine system may be disrupted by toxic metals that have estrogen-like actions in human bodies. Antiperspirant deodorants, in particular, include this ingredient virtually universally.

In short, try going for aluminum-free deodorants. It's an essential component of living a healthy lifestyle.

Mineral Oil

Clogs the pores of the skin with a petroleum byproduct that covers the skin like plastic.

Acne and other skin illnesses are more likely when this occurs, which is very dangerous since it interferes with the skin's ability to expel toxins. Prevalent in cosmetic products including creams and lotions and ointments.

Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol

Gaseous hydrocarbons may be used as "surfactants" when they're dissolved in water. Weakened proteins and cell structures may result from their rapid penetration.

Extracts from herbs are often made using this method.

Siloxanes

Look for "-siloxane" or "-methicone" in the ingredients list. A component in a wide range of cosmetics, primarily for the purposes of moisturizing and softening.

Endocrine disruptor and reproductive toxicant suspected (cyclotetrasiloxane). Fish and other creatures are harmed by the use of this substance.

Skincare Product Ingredients: Unveiling Toxins

We spend so much time taking care of our skin, and yet, you'll find that unsavory skincare ingredients can weasel their way into your favorite skincare products. 

Hopefully, our guide has shed some light on the worst of the lot. And, if you found our tips helpful, then you'll definitely want to join our mailing list and check out our blog.