In the busy world of today’s society, people wish for quick, effective and affordable solutions to the variety of different problems, skincare being one of them. Therefore, new brands emerge every day and try to satisfy the market with their products. Unfortunately, some ingredients found in skin care products are not really safe for regular application, even though they do the great job in preserving the product or making it appear more pleasant at the first use. Because of this, it is important to inform yourself on damaging influence of certain skin care ingredients so that you can avoid them in your next buy.
- Phthalates
It is used in everything from plastics to cosmetics. It can be found in children’s toys but it is also present in products such as nail polishes and hair sprays. They are found to be hormone disrupters and they can affect the reproductive system (especially in men), and even some of the main cosmetic companies have stopped using them as an ingredient. It was even found that there is a link with obesity risk and chemicals found in bloodstream among children. - Aluminum
Antiperspirants are full of aluminum compounds because they stop the releasing of sweat to the surface of the skin and it helps with staying fresh all day. However, the regular usage of aluminum can affect the possibility of getting the breast cancer because it can impersonate estrogen in the body. It can also cause skin irritation especially if you have problematic skin, so the best way to go is to switch to a deodorant without aluminum compounds. - Sulfate
Sodium laureth sulfate is a famous cleaner which is included in product to help us clean and remove oil and dirt. Some of them are synthetic and some are derived from natural sources. They are one of the ingredients in making of shampoos and soaps and it makes them foamy. They can irritate your skin, especially your eyes if there is any contact between them. Sulfate-free shampoos are great and not that expensive. - Parabens
They are a group of preservatives that are used in many cosmetic products. They are the ones that keep the cosmetics fresh and germ-free, but they are also associated with breast cancer and they are a hormone disrupter. In addition, they can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation and contact dermatitis. Studies speculate that methylparaben when applied on the skin can react with UVB and can lead to skin aging and DNA damage. However, it is still unknown if they are a long-term threat to our health. - Talc
It is a mineral powder made from magnesium, silicon, hydrogen and oxygen and it is used in face powders, eye shadows, blush, deodorant. If the talc isn’t purified there is a chance that it is contaminated with asbestos which is known to be cancerous. Although there are speculations that there is a link between talc and cancer, you can always use organic cosmetics for natural skincare.
- Fragrance
Fragrance or perfume is a great “place” for all kinds of hidden chemicals and some of them are associated with asthma, allergies, hormone disruption, headaches, dizziness, etc. So because it is almost everywhere, the best way is to just pick a product with less chemicals and to avoid synthetic fragrance and to use less products if you can, especially during pregnancy. - Petrolatum/mineral oil
“Petroleum jelly” is purified petroleum and it is common in moisturizes and other cosmetics. It is the largest contaminant in human body and it has the ability to form an oily layer on the skin which prevents evaporation. It should actually smooth and moisturize skin but it does the opposite job (it can cause allergic reactions), and it is very cheap and because of that most commonly used. It can be found in baby creams, conditioners, creams, makeup, etc. So the best way to go is to make a face mask on your own and even conditioner if you have time. - Triclosan
A famous antimicrobial chemical found in hand and body soaps and toothpastes. Several studies found that it can be linked with cancer and hormone disruption, although it has been tested on animals, triclosan has been traceable in human urine. It was also found that antibacterial body washes and soaps are as effective as regular soaps. So, the best thing may be to avoid these soaps for now and look up for more natural products.
Don’t be lazy, if you want healthy creams and masks you can make them at your home or you can find organic makeup and natural cosmetics at your local drugstore. There is a huge variety of brands such as Dr. Hauschka, Ultraceuticals, 100% pure, One Love Organics etc. And don’t worry, you can always leave the aluminum packed deodorant back on the shelf and buy something healthier.