Beauty products play a major role in every woman’s life, from prepubescent breakouts to anti-wrinkle moisturizers. Beauty products are used to alleviate and rejuvenate our skin, with the ultimate goal being to keep it healthy. That’s why so many people are surprised to learn just how harmful certain skin care products can be. A staggering number of beauty products and formulas contain dangerous toxins that would otherwise go undetected. So to help you make smarter, more informed choices when it comes to your beauty regimen I’ve compiled a list of 6 common ingredients you should avoid at all costs.
Parabens – this is a preservative used to keep bacteria from growing in beauty products and makeup, which sounds great on the surface but actually has an increased risk of breast cancer because of its properties.
Pthalates – these chemicals are used to make products softer and more elastic, which makes application easier but also lead to an increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive birth defects. They unfortunately aren’t always listed in “ingredients” but are most commonly found in deodorants, perfumes/colognes, moisturizers/lotions, nail polish and hairsprays.
Triclosan – this is most commonly found in soaps, toothpastes and deodorants and are known to disrupt both the thyroid and reproductive hormones. Studies have also linked them to bacteria becoming less receptive to anti-biotics.
Sodium lauryl sulfate/Sodium laureth sulfate – these chemicals are unfortunately present in over 90% of hygiene and beauty products. They’re found most frequently in mascara, shampoo, body wash, and acne treatment. They irritate the skin, lungs and eyes and have been known to cause problems like kidney failure and respiratory issues.
Formaldehyde – this is another preservative toxin intended to prevent bacteria growth, but actually is dangerous for the immune system and has been linked to nasal cancer. It’s present in nail polishes, body washes, shampoos, conditioners, cleansers and eyeshadows.
Propylene glycol – this is commonly used to enhance moisturizers but can cause dermatitis and hives. It’s found in moisturizers, sunscreens, makeup (especially foundations), conditioner, shampoos and hairsprays.
This may seem overwhelming, but there are plenty of products out there that will help you achieve your best skin without putting you at risk with dangerous chemicals. It’s tricky to narrow down the complete list of things you should avoid. Your best bet is to review the list of ingredients on a selected product and do your research. I find Safecosmetics.org a great resource for this.
Whenever possible, I try to opt for clean skincare that minimizes my exposure to the above chemicals. For safe, high quality products that will do wonders for your skin, head over to my store and use the discount code Doctor-IP for an extra discount.