Clear, healthy, and glowing skin is everybody’s dream and we all use various skincare products to achieve that dream. But, are all skincare products out there on the shelf at the supermarket safe? Or are there any components in your chosen skincare products that may do more harm than good for your skin? You will be surprised to know that most of the commercially available skincare products are loaded with artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals. The next time you buy your skincare products make sure you read the labels carefully and watch out for these 7 skin-harming components.
- Artificial fragrance - Do not get lured by the advertisements and commercials endorsing that their beauty products contain fragrances of real flowers. The nice-smelling fragrance in your shampoo, soaps, shower gels, or body lotions is rarely natural. These products are often loaded with artificial fragrances that are not safe for your skin. If you have sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema, allergic or contact dermatitis, these artificial fragrances may cause irritation to the skin or aggravate your eczema and dermatitis symptoms.
- Parabens - Another component to strictly avoid is parabens. Studies have shown that parabens, which are one of the commonest components in many skincare products cause serious health issues. The parabens are capable of penetrating through your body and causing hormonal imbalances, fertility problems, and certain cancers (particularly breast cancer).
- Artificial colors and dyes - Just like the fragrances, the colors of your skincare products are not natural either. Do not get carried away by the attractive color of your soap or shower gel. These artificial colors and dyes cause skin irritation or make your skin acne prone, or dry and lustre-less. Your prime focus should be selecting the products based on what they do for your skin and how the products make your skin look and feel.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is commonly used as a cleansing and foaming agent in soaps, shampoos, shower gels, and face and body washes. SLS is harsh to your skin and hair. It is known to strip your skin and hair off its natural oils making your skin dry and scaly and prone to skin irritation and allergies. Always look for a gentle and skin-loving alternative in your skincare products instead of SLS, for example, bisabolol, which is a natural alternative for SLS that is skin friendly.
- Denatured alcohol - Denatured alcohol such as Alcohol denat, isopropyl, and SD alcohol is strictly not in your skincare routine. Avoid products with these alcohols as they tend to absorb all the moisture and hydration from your skin causing dryness and inflammation of the skin. Denatured alcohol use is very common in products formulated for oily and acne-prone skin, before buying any product consult your dermatologist for advice on products that can help you with your oily skin and acne.
- Harsh preservatives - Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) is a commonly used preservative in skincare and cosmetic products. MIT prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi. But, MIT may be a good preservative and help your product last long, it is harmful to your skin and has been also linked to serious skin conditions like allergic or contact dermatitis and eczema.
- Animal-derived ingredients - Contribute your bit to the nature and safety of animals by avoiding animal-based ingredients such as keratin, collagen, urea, squalene, etc. in your skincare products. Choose natural alternative and cruel-free products that do not require the sacrifice of these animals.
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