10 Super Skincare Nasties
So we all love radiant, glowing skin right? We spend our money on Cleansers, Exfoliators, Serums and Hydrators, but do you ever really look at the ingredients on the back? I promise that you will from now on, you might actually be doing more damage than good.
Below are the top 10 nasty and downright dangerous ingredients commonly found in skin products.
1. SLS / SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE
Uses in Skin Products:
Detergent (foaming agent)
Possible Side Effects:
Skin and scalp rash
Oil and moisture loss
Eye Irritation
Absorbed into bloodstream
Retained in organs such as brain, heart, liver and eyes
2. PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Uses in Skin Products:
Penetration enhancer
Emollient (provides slip)
Solvent
Possible Side Effects:
Eye/skin irritation
Rapid skin penetration which cause brain, liver & kidney abnormalities. (*EPA requires worker to use protective clothing)
3. MEA, DEA, TEA
Uses in Skin Products:
pH controller
Foam enhancer
Possible Side Effects:
Skin Irritant
Linked to some forms of Cancer
4. PEG (Polythylene Glycol)
Uses in Skin Products:
Skin lubricant
Emulsifier in many skincare products
Penetration enhancer
Possible Side Effects:
Produces carcinogens (a substance capable of causing Cancer)
Irritation to damaged Skin
5. MINERAL OIL / PETROLATUM
Uses in Skin Products:
Gives the ‘Illusion’ of moisturizing, but only sits on the surface
Possible Side Effects:
Pore clogging
Irritation and allergy due to contaminants from petroleum refining
Can impair natural skin process and prevent nutrient absorption and toxin release
6. SYNTHETIC COLOR
(look for D&C or FD&C DYES)
Uses in Skin Products:
Appearance only – no functional benefit
Possible Side Effects:
May for carcinogens (eg. FD&C Red 40 linked to breast cancer)
Allergy
Skin Irritant
7. SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE
(look for ‘Fragrance-number’ or ‘Parfum-number’)
Uses in Skin Products:
No functional skin benefit
It may take more than 200 artificial chemicals to achieve a fragrance
Possible Side Effects:
Photosensitivity
Allergy & Irritation
Headaches
Nausea
8. PARABENS & ARTIFICAL PRESERVATIVE
Examples:
Parabens (methyl, ethyl and propyl)
MDM Hydantoin (formaldehyde)
Methyl Isothiazolieone
Methyl Chloroisothiazolieone
Possible Side Effects:
Respiratory irritation (asthma trigger)
Allergy & skin irritant
Produces carcinogens
9. PTHALATES (Phthalates are not mandatory to be listed on labels)
Examples:
Dibutylphahalate (DBP) (is banned in Europe)
Dimethylphthalate (DMP)
Diethylphthalate (DEP)
Uses in Products:
Flexible film former (hairspray)
Solvents
Perfume fixative
Possible Side Effects:
Hormone disruptor
Organ & system toxicity
Prenatal exposure linked to decreased male fertility and ADHA
10. CHEMICAL ABSORBING SUNSCREENS (also called Organic Sunscreen)
Examples:
Octyl Methoxycinnamate
Oxybenzone
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Octylcrylene
PABA
Homosalate
Uses in Skin Products:
UVA & UVB Sun Protection
Possible Side Effects:
Hormone disruptors
Early puberty
Low fertility
Skin irritation
Linked to breast and prostate cancer
I challenge you to look in your bathroom cupboard, you might be surprised at what you find.
