A lot of us buy beauty products especially for skincare and we do not bother to read about the ingredients contained in the products…oh yes, I’m guilty as well…*covers face*. Little do we know which ones are best or bad for our skin and body in general. However,today’s post is meant to point out some common skin care ingredients that we must avoid and those we should embrace.
Sometimes it can be totally confusing—even the “all natural” ingredients can seem foreign. So I have done my research and I bring to you the common ingredients in skincare: those ones that are bad, and those that are good.
Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid:
- Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40): This skin care ingredient is used in a wide variety of skincare products, yet it dries out the skin and can irritate it very easily. It is a very drying and irritating solvent and dehydrator that strips your skin’s moisture and natural immune barrier, making you more venerable to bacteria, molds and viruses. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative and is found in many skin and hair products, fragrance, antibacterial hand washes as well as shellac and antifreeze. It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin. A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients says it may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis, anesthesia, and coma. All alcohol-based ingredients should be avoided when possible.
- Parabens: Parabens are preservatives found in most cosmetics and skin care products. They keep the product from spoiling by preventing harmful bacteria and fungi from growing inside it. Although these preservatives are FDA approved, they have been found to mimic estrogen, which can lead to breast cancer. There is no concrete link between parabens and any dangerous medical conditions but some people may have a sensitivity and become irritated by the additive. It’s better to play it safe and stick to paraben-free products. To steer clear of these additives, look for the word “paraben” on ingredients labels (it may appear as a suffix).
- Fragrances: Many skincare products simply list the generic term ‘fragrance’ as an ingredient . [Fragrance] can be made up of hundreds of synthetic chemicals that you should be avoiding—they often contain toxins linked to cancer and can result in hormone disruption. Symptoms reported to the FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Clinical observation proves fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes.
- Petroleum-Based Ingredients / Mineral Oil : Petroleum can leave a plastic-like film which prevents nutrients from being soaked in—this can suffocate the skin and leave it looking dull. Petroleum by-product can also coat the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. Used in many products such as baby oil which is 100% mineral oil.
- FD&C Color Pigments: Synthetic colors made from coal tar, containing heavy metal salts that deposit toxins into the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and death. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Detergents and surfactants that pose serious health threats. Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers – and in 90% of personal-care products that foam. Animals exposed to SLS experience eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation, and even death. Young eyes may not develop properly if exposed to SLS because proteins are dissolved. SLS may also damage the skins immune system by causing layers to separate and inflame. When combined with other chemicals, SLS can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens. Your body may retain the SLS for up to five days, during which tie it may enter and maintain residual levels in the heart, liver, the lungs, and the brain.
Skin Care Ingredients You Want To Look Out For:
- Kinetin – A natural skin care ingredient found in plants that helps speed up cell division.It helps the skin hold onto moisture, and it can lighten dark spots and even out texture. It’s great for annoying post-breakout red splotches.
- Retinol: Most anti-aging products carry this ingredient, which helps to improve skin’s elasticity and reverse sun damage. It’s also an exfoliant that promotes the shedding of dead skin cells, revealing the more youthful skin underneath.
- Hyaluronic Acid: This substance is naturally occurring in the body, but decreases with age. Using products made with it can help to reverse the natural loss of collagen.
- Peptides: These molecular links of amino acids help your skin produce collagen. They are the wonder protein that prevents wrinkles and keeps skin looking young.
- Vitamin C: This nutrient naturally brightens skin and prevents a dull, worn out look. It also helps lighten brown spots and prevents hyperpigmentation.
- AHAs: Alpha-Hydroxy Acids naturally exfoliate skin and makes it smoother. This helps nourishing products sink deeper into the skin, where they are available to be absorbed for a longer period.
I hope you found this post helpful. Let’s stay safe, darlings!
Hugs and Kisses,
Missglam.
References – www.google.com
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