Skincare Ingredients to Avoid

Taking care of your skin is one of the most important self-care practices. Not only is it crucial to use the right type of products for your skin type, but also to make sure that the ingredients in your products are clean and good for your skin. I have currently been into skincare much more and I have found myself researching ingredients and product ratings to see what products are full of chemicals and what products are beneficial. I hope you enjoy this post and as always feel free to comment below and follow me on Instagram @sophiachorbajian

Do you want to check if your products have good ingredients?

I have been using an app called “Think Dirty” and inputting skincare, hair care, and even beauty products. It evaluates the ingredients and points out good and bag ingredients. It also shows the products with the best ratings of ingredients. Definitely download the app and check the products you have at home.

Click the image below to see the app!

Ingredients to Avoid:

1. Aluminum

• Toxic metal that can have oestrogen-like effects in our systems, disrupting the healthy functioning of the endocrine system.

2. DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), and TEA (triethanolamine)

• Usually found in products that foam like facial cleansers and soaps. They are also found in eye makeup , fragrances, hair products, and sunscreens.

3. DMDM HYDANTOIN & UREA (Imidazolidinyl)

• Preservatives that often release formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, skin allergies, headaches, and loss of sleep.
• Usually found in skincare products, cosmetics, shampoos and conditioners, and detergents.

4. MINERAL OIL

• A petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging its pores. This is incredibly harmful because it interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, therefore increasing likelihood of acne and other disorders.
• Usually found in creams, lotions, ointments, and cosmetics.

5. PARABENS (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl)

• Not always labeled, used as preservatives, and may contribute to hormone imbalance.
• Usually found almost everywhere including skincare products such as moisturizers and deodorants.

6. PEG (Polyethylene glycol)

• Ingredient that can alter and reduce the skin’s natural moisture factor. It adjusts the melting point and thickens products.
• Usually found in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease.

7. PHTHALATES

• Chemicals used to increase flexibility and strength of plastics, and not often listed among the ingredients on products.
• Usually found in cosmetics such as fragrance oils and listed under the term “fragrance”.

8. PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG) & BUTYLENE GLYCOL

• Gaseous hydrocarbons which in a liquid state act as “surfactant”. They penetrate the skin so quickly and can weaken the protein and cellular structure.
• Usually used to make extracts from herbs.

9. SILOXANES

• Look for ingredients ending in “-siloxane” or “-methicone.” Used in a variety of cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane). Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

10. SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS) & SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES)

• Detergent that makes products foam, lather, and bubble.
• Usually found in 90% of personal-care products that foam!

11. SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES

• Anything that is synthetic or artificial should always raise a red flag. These are made up of hundreds to thousands of different ingredients not listed on the label, so you are never sure what you are actually being exposed to.
• Usually found in cosmetic and skincare products but also many household products such as candles, air fresheners, and scented trash bags.

12. TRICLOSAN

• A synthetic antibacterial agent that may disrupt thyroid function and can degrade into a form of dioxin, a class of chemicals linked to a broad range of toxicities including cancer.
• Usually found in soaps, mouthwash, shaving cream, deodorants, toothpaste, etc.

Sources: Odacite