Ingredients to Avoid: You would want to spend on your skincare product to keep your skin smooth, fresh, and nourished. But trust me you wouldn’t want to spend your money on what will cause harm to your skin. Some ingredients in your products are red-flag that can bring you more harm than good.
The skin is one of the most important organs in our body. It serves several important roles in the body including protecting the different essential organs, bones, muscles, and nerves. We should be exceptionally conscious of what comes in contact with our skin.
WHAT ARE THE SKINCARE INGREDIENTS TO AVOID?
For this one, you might want to take a seat. We’re talking about ingredients in skincare that are (beyond) skin-deep, many of which you already have or probably using right now. Even though more and more companies are utilizing natural ingredients in their skincare products, there is still more work to be done in the beauty sector as a whole. When figuring out what’s safe to put on our bodies, we consumers are essentially on our own. Put on your hat and glasses and get ready to learn about the ingredients you should never use in skincare products.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol in skincare products could refer to the use of ethanol, methanol, denatured alcohol, or ethyl alcohol and is naturally found in products like perfumes, astringents, ointments, creams, and serums. When used in excess, it can cause extreme dryness, causing the skin to peel, and also corrupt its structural virtue. It also stimulates oil production in the skin and can cause skin breakouts.
BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE
For this one, you might want to settle in because we’re going to talk about ingredients in skincare that are (beyond) skin-deep. Benzalkonium chloride is an organic salt that is utilized in skincare and makeup products for various purposes. Because of its antibacterial qualities, benzalkonium chloride is used as a stabilizer, preservative, and surfactant—an ingredient that foams and cleans. Certain Japanese cosmetic products and Canadian cosmetic products are prohibited from containing this ingredient.
It is an allergen and skin irritant for humans, and there is also evidence that it is harmful to the immune system, respiratory system, and ability of humans to reproduce. It is regarded as safe, nevertheless, at concentrations lower than 0.1%. Never mind that the most difficult-to-pronounce substances are benzalkonium chloride, BZK, BKC, BAC, BAK, and alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC).
PARABENS
This is one of the most wrong ingredients to use in the production of skincare products. Parabens are artificial blends that are used as preservatives to make the products last longer. Parabens might have cancer features, allergies, hormonal imbalances, and fertility problems. While Parabens used in Cosmeceuticals are in extremely inferior concentrations, the accumulative absorption grows with time when exposed to numerous products.
FRAGRANCES
Another ingredient that one should be cautious of in skincare products is fragrances, especially when you tend to have allergies. Fragrance is another covering for potentially unsafe and dangerous ingredients most contain phthalates. Either artificial or natural, fragrances can activate allergies, asthma, and inflammations. It is best evaded in skincare products.
TRICLOSAN
Even though triclocarban (TCC) and triclosan (TSC) have been around for decades, it seems like nothing has changed. Triclosan, which was first used in a scrub for surgeons, has antibacterial qualities and is used to reduce odors, kill mold, and destroy bacteria. Triclosan has not only been shown to offer no more bacterial protection than regular soap, but it has also been linked to hormone disruption, developmental difficulties, and antimicrobial resistance (including that of salmonella and E. Coli).
Pregnant women are especially advised to avoid this ingredient because of the latter, which is especially concerning in light of studies that have found triclosan in the plasma and milk of nursing mothers. Triclosan is intended to kill microorganisms, but it is much more likely to kill fish, crustaceans, and algae, where it builds up to high concentrations. They can also harm crops when concentrated in biosolids, which are organic matter extracted from sewage sludge.
FORMALDEHYDE
It usually frequently goes unrecognized on some skincare brands Formaldehyde is also referred to as formalin, glyoxal, and bronopol. This compound is typically found in nail polish, eyelash bonds, hair serums, and foundations. Formaldehyde causes skin itch and irritation. So is best advised to avoid it at all costs.
TALC
Talc contains asbestos. Inhalation of asbestos is understood to cause cancers in the lungs. Talc is usually seen in powder-based cosmetics like eye shadows and blushes, even in body lotions.
PEGS (POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS)
Greenfield and Blyumin-Karasik caution that PEGs may irritate the skin. As humectants, a common moisturizing agent, and skin conditioners, they are most frequently found in lotions, creams, and hair products.
INGREDIENTS TO AVOID: ETHANOLAMINE COMPOUNDS (MEA, DEA, AND TEA)
Nonetheless, ethanolamine is frequently used as an emulsifier in cleaning products for the body and home. Ethylene amines are present in a wide range of products, including makeup, household cleansers, and personal hygiene items.
As the surfactant, ethanolamine helps dissolve dirt and grease by lowering the surface tension of the liquid in which they are dissolved. They also assist in adjusting a product’s pH to delay deterioration and increase shelf life. While ethanolamine is generally regarded as safe when used briefly in rinse-off products, there is compelling evidence to suggest that prolonged exposure to it can negatively impact the immune system, the respiratory system, and human skin. Particularly, coconut oil-derived cocamide DEA has also been connected to cancer.
PARAFFINS AND PETROLATUM (PETROLEUM JELLY)
Paraffin, a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons that solidify into a substance resembling wax, is distilled from petroleum. Its environmental impact is increased because, although it is generally safe for cosmetic use, it is only regarded as such in a highly refined state. Paraffin is less expensive than other ingredients and is used as an emollient to soften and smooth skin.
Paraffin is still considered a bad ingredient for the skin because it can cause irritation, contact dermatitis, and a breakdown of collagen, which leads to wrinkles. It is also not known to penetrate the dermis because it builds up in adipose tissue, there is evidence that it causes estrogen dominance in females. This can therefore result in accelerated aging, nutrient deficiencies, allergies, autoimmune disorders, infertility, menstrual issues, and sleep issues. It may even result in lipid pneumonia if applied too close to the nose.
FORMALDEHYDE AND FORMALDEHYDE-RELEASING PRESERVATIVES
Many products contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs), even if they aren’t labeled as such. Formaldehyde and FRPs are both used to preserve a product’s integrity and stop mold and bacteria from growing in it. Formaldehyde has been identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a carcinogen, in addition to being flammable. It’s one of the worst substances for the skin and has been demonstrated to cause dermatitis even after brief usage. Even worse, due to children’s higher surface area to body weight ratio, it may be absorbed through the skin and result in irritation and other negative effects when used in personal care products.
SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS) AND SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES)
Without SLS, SLES, and ammonium laureth sulfate (ALS), another ingredient to watch out for due to the potential for irritating to the skin, eyes, and lungs, no list of harmful ingredients in skincare products would be complete. Numerous cleaning and personal hygiene products, such as body wash, contain these cleaning agents. SLS is a surfactant that creates a foamy lather and aids in removing oil and dirt from surfaces. Although SLS and SLES have garnered significant attention due to their toxicity to marine life, there is still uncertainty regarding their safety for humans.
Studies indicate that while those and ALS are relatively safe in products that are washed off after brief applications, concentrations higher than 1% may irritate skin and eyes. Although ethylene oxide, a known human carcinogen, nervous system disruptor, and developmental toxin, and 1,4-dioxane, a potentially human carcinogen, and persistent environmental pollutant, could contaminate SLES manufacturing, they are not thought to be carcinogens in and of themselves. Vacuum stripping can be used to remove 1,4 dioxane from cosmetics, but there is essentially no way to tell if the SLS and SLES in your shampoo have gone through that procedure.
HYPERTEXT COLORS
Synthetic—also referred to as “organic”—dyes are typically marked FD&C or D&C and are colorants that contain a carbon atom. Synthetic dyes, lakes, and botanicals—which are frequently made from petroleum or coal tar—are examples of organic color additives. Yes, they are confusing because these aren’t the same “organic” products you’ll find at your preferred online bulk stores or from the top environmentally friendly makeup companies.
Approved for use in drugs and cosmetics (D&C) or just in food and drugs (FD&C) is denoted by the letters F, D, and C. However, this does not imply that the products are safe. Conversely, inorganic color originates from mineral compounds such as mica, iron oxide, and zinc oxide.
Although they are linked to violations of human rights and mining, these are generally considered to be healthier substitutes. These harmful components are added to skincare products and cosmetics to make them appear “beautiful” or to mask the color that was created during production. Even FD&C dyes are hazardous due to the permissible amounts of heavy metals like lead they contain.
Heavy metal buildup over time can result in a variety of conditions, including cancer, issues with development and reproduction, allergies, muscle disorders, organ damage, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Carefulness is needed to feed the skin with the right nutrients and active ingredients that are most useful to help the skin. Always ensure you go through the skin care product label before use. If you find anything confusing, consult your Doctor.
Do you know any skincare ingredients to avoid in skincare products? Have you used any of the above and want to share your experience? let us hear it in the comment section.