Did you know that your skin absorbs a majority of what you put on it? This naturally means that the products you use on your skin have the potential to directly affect your health and wellbeing. So, what are the ingredients you should absolutely avoid in your skincare routine? Find out more about it in here and get rid of these toxic ten!
Phenoxyethanol
Nowadays, you don’t usually get to see straight up ‘parabens’ on the labels because people are more aware of their side-effects. But, phenoxyethanol, a new kind of preservative is equally bad for your skin. It can cause contact dermatitis, and lead to developmental complications. The sad part is that even the products certified as “organic” have phenoxyethanol as one of their ingredients.
Toluene
Toluene is the substance found in paint, plastics, adhesives, and the likes. You wouldn’t want something that harmful in your skincare, right? Phenylmethane, toluol, and benzene are the common disguises for this ingredient, and it is commonly found in hair colors and nail polishes.
Aluminum
There are studies that show aluminum is directly linked to Alzheimer’s disease, brain disorders, and breast cancer, though none of that has been proved as of yet. But, don’t let that give you the idea that aluminum is safe because there is no doubt about the fact that it is a neurotoxin. It is a disruptor of the endocrine system and it can cause extreme skin irritation. The presence of aluminum is usually noted in products like antiperspirant deodorants.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is actually a carcinogen, which is linked to diseases like cirrhosis, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, leukemia, and skin irritation. It is usually found in products like eyelash glue and nail polish. Even your hair straightening, and smoothening products have traces of formaldehyde. The bigger problem is that this ingredient is not as conspicuous because it is not usually listed in the product because mainly the preservatives release it when the product is used.
Tea (Triethanolamine)
This is not the kind of tea that soothes you after a long day. In fact, this is the tea that you avoid because this causes skin allergies, cancers, and skin bioaccumulation. The chemical has also been linked to cell mutation. It is also listed as MEA and DEA on the labels.
Tetrasodium EDTA
Tetrasodium EDTA is one of the deadliest ingredients that you need to avoid in your skincare products. This is a chelating agent, and it is both genotoxic and cytotoxic. There have been many studies that have proven beyond doubt that Tetrasodium EDTA raises the level of absorption for other chemicals. This is a matter of concern because this ingredient is usually there in formulas that have other unsafe chemicals. The products having Tetrasodium EDTA do not deserve a place in your shelf.
PABA
PABA is an old culprit that is still used in some of the sunscreens. The reason it is a red flag is because it causes allergic reactions like photo-contact dermatitis and contract dermatitis. Many brands have started putting PABA-esters in place of PABA, but the results remain the same.
Dioxins
Dioxins are a matter of concern when it comes to your skincare routine. It is there in the food chain as an environmental pollutant, and now it has also made its way into several skincare products. This chemical is nothing if not persistent, and once it enters the body, it stays there for a long time. It is an endocrine disruptor, which is strongly connected to cancers and developmental issues. Dioxins, again, are not directly mentioned on the label. You will find the presence of it in other ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate and triclosan.
Plastics
It makes no sense to create a great organic skincare product and then putting it in a plastic bottle. Plastics do not protect the integrity of the product, and neither does it helps the environment in any way after you discard the bottle.
DEET
DEET is a neurotoxin that must not be there in any skincare product. In fact, formulations that have over thirty percent DEET are simply toxic.
So, pay close attention to its label the next time you pick up a skincare product, and just avoid using it if it has any of the aforementioned ingredients.