Most people don’t think twice about putting harmful ingredients on their skin, such as soaps, shampoos, and moisturizers. It’s common to find skin lotions and soaps with irritant ingredients, such as paraben and sodium lauryl sulfate, as well as DEA and formaldehyde.
To counter this, a mindful approach towards skincare is crucial. Exploring options like visiting a spa for facials can provide a rejuvenating experience while prioritizing skin health. Facial spas tend to use chemical-free and quality skin care products that can revitalize your skin without any damaging effects. If you’re in search of a reputed facial spa, you can search for “facial near me in Cherry Creek, CO” (if that is where you live), or “facial spas near me” on the internet. That way, you can discover a range of options to choose from. Opting for such treatments can ensure relaxation and support healthier skincare choices.
But not only are harmful ingredients found in skin and hair care products but they’re also found in food, such as food coloring in processed foods and flavorings in sodas.
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives that some commonly used skincare products contain. The Food and Drug Administration warns against paraben exposure as a health hazard. They may cause reproductive problems and congenital disabilities in pregnant women and can be toxic when absorbed through the skin. Parabens are all around us and have been used as preservatives in cosmetics since the 1960s.
Phthalates
Many women love skincare products to enhance their looks and feel more confident, but some of these products pose health risks. Some cosmetics, lotions, and beauty products you use daily may contain harmful chemicals that can negatively affect your health.
Formaldehyde
As you might have heard, many popular skincare products are chock full of nasty chemicals. But have you ever stopped to wonder what exactly those chemicals are? Are they dangerous or just found in many products that consumers don’t want to stop using? In truth, most of these chemicals are safe in average amounts, but when used in large quantities, they can cause irritation or even death.
Fragrance
Therapeutic-grade essential oils should not contain synthetic fragrances or petroleum-based chemical preservatives. Some essential oils have active ingredients that are best preserved using cold-pressed oils. The sense of smell is directly connected to the limbic system, which regulates emotions. Consumers who are sensitive to perfumes or fragrances in cosmetics often avoid products that contain fragrances or perfume. But there are some truly harmful ingredients to watch out for in beauty and personal care products. “Fragrance” can refer to a number of ingredients-from synthetic musk and fragrances to household cleaning products. Some perfumes contain an average of 65 chemicals, including parabens, phthalates, and diethyl phthalate (DEP).
Mineral oil
When purchasing skincare products, you want to be sure you’re only getting the best of the best. After all, you don’t want harmful chemicals like mineral oil or phthalates (commonly found in cosmetics that soften and waterproof skin) in your beauty products. Check out the top harmful ingredients to avoid in your skincare products here.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Skincare products are meant to be good for you. Butylated hydroxytoluene or BHT is an ingredient used in cosmetics and personal care products and is supposed to improve shelf life. Unfortunately, it offers no additional benefits when used in this manner and leads to a number of health problems.
Aluminum
Are you suffering from acne breakouts, stretch marks, or scarring? With the emergence of new technology, there are now more options to help us combat those not-so-pleasant skin issues. From chemical peels, dermal fillers, laser treatment, and cosmetic surgery, there are many options we can turn to for a way to achieve healthier, smoother, and newer-looking skin. But, not all of these options are suitable for everyone, and some even carry side effects.
Coal tar dyes
Coal tar dyes are toxic chemicals that can cause damage to cells and organs in the human body. They are most commonly found in cosmetics, hair dyes, and fragrances. Coal tar dyes can penetrate the skin, causing inflammation, irritation, and allergic reactions. These toxins are also linked to serious health concerns such as cancer.
PEG compounds
Many of us don’t think twice when we apply our favorite skincare product to our skin. We slather it on and go about our day, assuming it’s doing us no harm. But did you know that some ingredients in skin care products are harmful to both your skin and the environment? Some ingredients have been linked to cancer, others cause skin irritation and allergies, and others leave behind chemical residue that can harm the environment.
Siloxanes
Things we use every day can lead to problems later on. The skin is the body’s largest organ, and siloxanes are often found as ingredients in cosmetics, personal care, and household products. They go by different names, but siloxanes are naturally occurring chemicals found in rocks and soil. Siloxanes are used as ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products, plasticizers, foaming agents in detergents, and emulsifiers in foods. They are used in personal care products to increase flexibility and softness and can be found in lotions, moisturizers, makeup, and sunscreens.
Triclosan
Chemicals in everyday products are far from harmless. Triclosan, found in everything from soap to toothpaste to deodorant, is an antibacterial agent used in products such as antibacterial soap, toothpaste, and mouthwash. But the FDA has classified triclosan as a “chemical of proven concern” and says it should be avoided.
Plastic micro-beads
With so many skincare products on the market, it’s important to read the ingredients list. Unfortunately, one ingredient to watch out for is plastic micro-beads. These small plastic particles come from exfoliating scrubs and body washes, and studies have linked them to a variety of health problems, including asthma, heart disease, and other allergies. Avoid these harmful ingredients by using skincare products that are naturally derived.