The increased awareness of the importance of having a proper skincare routine has resulted in some serious changes in the skincare world. People are becoming more aware of things pertaining to skincare and making themselves more knowledgeable so that they know they are making informed choices. Although it’s a very well-known fact that every person is supposed to use skincare products based on their skin type and skin concerns, you should also be careful of the ingredients you are putting on your face, considering some ingredients can potentially damage your skin. While some ingredients are known to be harmful to just a particular skin type, some ingredients are a potential threat to every skin type. Therefore, it’s imperative to learn about the ingredient first before including it in your skincare routine. In addition to avoiding those ingredients you might be allergic to, you should also avoid the following ingredients in your skincare.
Parabens are widely used in several skincare products. They are mostly used as preservatives that help to increase the shelf life of the products. If you have read the labels of your products, you must have come across ingredients containing paraben as the suffix, it is mostly present in the products in the form of ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, etc. The use of this ingredient could result in redness, itching, allergic skin reactions, and damaged hormonal system. Therefore, you should steer clear of this ingredient, benzoic or sorbic acids are the best alternatives to parabens.
Sulfates are most commonly found in products like shampoos, conditioners, cleansers, soaps, etc. While sulfates are used as agents that help to produce foam in the products, they can be pretty harsh on the skin. When used for an extended duration, sulfates can strip the skin of its natural oils, resulting in allergic reactions and irritation. Additionally, they can weaken the defense system of the skin, which makes it easier for other harmful ingredients to penetrate deeper into your skin. Instead of using sulfates, you can include ingredients like decyl and coco glucosides into your skincare routine.
Formaldehyde is largely used in hair products. This ingredient is known as a human carcinogen, and it also irritates the skin. Some of you might be thinking why we are talking about an ingredient that is used in hair products when we are actually here to discuss what not to put on your skin? Firstly, your scalp is very much a part of your skin, and secondly, a lot of hair products come in contact with your face while you are rinsing your hair off in the shower or spraying something on your mane. Given the carcinogenic nature of formaldehyde, it’s best to avoid using it.
Products like body washes, hair sprays, fragranced skincare, and nail polishes are known to contain phthalates, and this ingredient can be a potential threat to your skin. Additionally, phthalates are potential carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, which is a strong reason in itself to not include it in your skincare. Although you are less likely to find this ingredient in skincare products, exercising a little caution while purchasing products and reading their labels will be a wise thing to do.
Mineral oil, paraffin oil, petrolatum, and liquid paraffin are some common petroleum derivatives that are used in products like face creams, body lotions, massage oils, baby oils, etc. While the job of these ingredients is to serve a greater purpose by trapping the water in the skin to make it feel softer, they can clog your pores, making it harder for your skin to breathe naturally. Exposing your skin to these ingredients not only causes acne but premature aging as well.