Skincare is the most important thing just like your health. We all desire healthy and flawless skin; some have it god gifted while others always struggle to get that perfect skin texture. Whether you naturally have good skin or need to work on it, a good skincare routine with proper products is essential to maintain or improve it. A lot of commercial skincare products are loaded with toxic and unsafe ingredients. Do you ever read labels for ingredients before purchasing any skin car product? Here are some toxic skin care ingredients you need to avoid:
PRESERVATIVES
Any commercial skin care product you choose contains chemicals to prolong shelf life. The most common parabens to watch out for are methylparaben and propylparaben. They not only irritate the skin but also affect your hormonal balance. Another dangerous preservative is formaldehyde. It is listed as a human carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program because it causes cancer of the throat, nose, and blood. More: Ingredients to avoid in hair products >>
PARAFFIN
As slick as the petroleum that it is derived from, paraffin creates a smooth cream and gives a soft texture to your skin care products. It does not suit everybody as it can clog pores and cause black heads, white heads, acne, clogged pores etc. If you have oily skin, try to stay away from products that contain paraffin.
SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE
We all are aware of this toxic and harmful ingredient- SLS or sodium lauryl sulphate majorly used in skin care and hair care products. SLS has even been linked to skin irritation as it strips the skin off its natural oils making it dry and cracked. It is also a well-known carcinogen! Lookout for products that contain soap nut extract or glycerine as a foaming agent.
SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE
Avoiding synthetic fragrance doesn’t mean being restricted to fragrance-free skin care products. It does, however, mean that you should look for products that are scented naturally using essential oils and extracts, rather than the synthetic “fragrance” alone. These chemical compounds can be wildly irritating to skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.
TRICLOSAN
Triclosan is widely used antimicrobial chemical. With a moderate hazard rating, triclosan should be avoided at all costs. It can accumulate in our fat cells and keep our body in a state of toxicity. It causes irritation of the skin, eyes and lungs, and causes endocrine disruption and organ system toxicity. Triclosan can be found in toothpastes, antibacterial soaps and deodorants. More: Important ingredients to look for in a sunscreen
QUATERNIUM COMPOUND
Quaternium-15 is a quaternary ammonium salt used as a surfactant and preservative in personal care products. It acts as a formaldehyde releaser and is definitely not safe and is best avoided. Formaldehyde is extremely carcinogenic, and should be avoided at all costs.
CHEMICAL-BASED COLOURS
Artificial colours are widely used in skin care products for aesthetic purposes. Their ingredients frequently appear as FD&C or D&C followed by a colour and a number. Colour pigments may cause skin sensitivity along with irritation and inflammation. More: Important ingredients to look for in a wrinkle cream