When you look at the ingredients list on most traditional skincare products, and even some so-called natural products, you’re likely to see many chemical ingredients with daunting, scientific names. Even if you recognize some of the ingredients, how do you know if they are safe to use?
Here is a list of 6 skincare ingredients to make sure you never buy in your skincare products:
- Parabens
Linked to hormonal imbalances, early puberty in females, and an increased risk of breast cancer. Often included in makeup, deodorant, shampoo, body washes, and more. Masked by many names, don’t use anything that shows in its ingredient list: methylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, and isopropylparaben.
- Benzophenone
Found in many sunscreens. Associated with cellular damage and cancer. Other sunscreen chemicals to avoid: Avobenzone, Ethoxycinnamate, and PABA.
- Retinyl Palmitate
A form of vitamin A that if used in the presence of sunlight it can speed up the growth of cancerous tumors. Retinyl Palmitate and similar forms of vitamin A can also be found in a myriad of different skincare products, lipsticks, skin lotions, and lip sunscreens.
- Sodium Laureth (or Lauryl) Sulfate
This chemical helps create a foamy lather. It can irritate your skin, lungs, and eyes and can interact with other chemicals to form carcinogenic compounds. Found in shampoo, body wash, face wash and acne treatments.
- Synthetic (Chemical) Colors & Fragrances: Synthetic (or chemical) fragrances are the main source of allergic reactions to beauty products. Shown as a single item on ingredient lists, fragrances often contain hundreds of ingredients. Found in shampoos, body washes, and soaps, air fresheners, candles, dryer sheets, and detergents. Commonly listed as Perfume, Parfume or Fragrance.
- Synthetic (or chemical) colors
These are linked to cancer-causing agents. Avoid any product that contains such ingredients. They’re often labeled with the letters FD&C or D&C, followed by a number.
- Propylene Glycol & Butylene Glycol
These two ingredients can put you at risk of skin irritation and allergic reaction. Even very small amounts can cause hives and dermatitis. Found in moisturizers, conditioners, shampoos, sunscreens, and hair sprays.
There are more, if you can believe it—this is just the short list!
To get gentle, effective skincare products that work toward a beautiful, healthy body without harmful ingredients, take a look at Beauti Me’s skin care collection
