The skin is the largest and one of the most essential organs in our body. It plays a critical role by protecting the muscles, ligaments, nerves, bones, and other vital organs. With its amazing functions, it makes sense to be careful of whatever we put on our skin.
Here’s a fact: 60% of the products we apply on the skin surface get absorbed. This means that whatever ingredient we put on our skin affects our overall health and well-being, whether positive or negative. Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no proper regulation on skincare products, beauty companies can incorporate almost any chemical or ingredient in their formulas.
Our favorite skincare products, such as sunscreen, lotions, face cream contain plenty of ingredients that can cause adverse health effects, such as cancer, eczema, allergies, reproductive issues, and hormonal disruption. Those who end up with damaged skin turn to skin repair products made by professional dermatologists. These products contain skin-friendly ingredients that are sustainable, paraben-free, and backed by science.
If you’re a fan of skincare trends, it’s important to stay conscious about the products you apply to your skin. To avoid poisoning your skin with harmful skin products, here are the top ingredients you should eliminate in your skincare routine.
Fragrance
Almost every conventional cosmetic and skincare product contains fragrances, even those brands that label their products “unscented”. Believe it or not, both artificial and natural can irritate the skin. Although this ingredient doesn’t seem so scary, many beauty companies don’t reveal the ingredients they use for their fragrances.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, fragrances are a leading cause of contact dermatitis, a form of skin inflammation caused by an irritant. Artificial fragrances contain chemical compositions, such as preservatives and solvents that cause skin irritation, cough, rashes, allergies, pigmentation, and other skin issues.
High-concentrated fragrances can affect the skin, as well as organic ones. In fact, fragrances are the major culprit of allergic reactions in cosmetic products. High-concentrated scented soaps are tolerable since you can wash the suds off, but lotions and creams should have a low-concentrated fragrance to minimize the harmful effects on the skin.
Parabens
Parabens are a popular ingredient found in our everyday skincare and makeup products, especially moisturizers. They are used as a preservative for beauty products that contain various chemical groups, such as methyl, propyl, butyl, benzyl, and other similar ingredients. Manufacturers use parabens to interrupt the growth of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) and molds in skincare products.
While some cosmetic products may contain parabens, the FDA stated that they are safe with no serious health risks since they’re present in small amounts in makeup products. But a research found that parabens can still enter our bodies through our skin since they remain in our body fluids and tissues. While parabens were discovered in the breast tissue of breast cancer patients, there are no studies that link the ingredient to cancer.
Parabens can also disrupt hormone production by replicating estrogen, a female hormone that plays a critical role in reproductive function. Even men are also affected by disrupting their regular reproductive development.
Coconut oil
There plenty of skincare products today that boast of their all-natural skincare ingredients. One of them is coconut oil, popularly known as an effective acne spot treatment. The truth is, coconut oil can make acne more serious by obstructing surrounding pores.
This also applies to moisturizers, face masks, and other skincare products containing coconut oil. Although they have low concentrations of coconut oil, the ingredient itself can still cause irritations, so it’s important to avoid coconut oil completely.
Alcohol
Alcohol is often present in a wide range of skincare products. Skincare manufacturers include them for various purposes: act as preservatives or speed up the drying process when applied to the skin. For products such as cleaners and toners, alcohol helps in reducing pores and skin tightening.
Alcohol present in skincare products comes in various types, such as propanol, isopropanol, and ethanol. These ingredients are considered denatured alcohol, which causes skin irritation. They are often found in cleaners, soaps, and toners. If used frequently, these ingredients can be very harsh on the skin that can lead to excessive dryness. It can also destroy the natural barrier of the skin, which can ruin its ability to preserve its moisture.
Doing your research about the best skincare products can go a long way for your overall health. This is an important step towards understanding the products you put on your body and ensuring a healthy treatment for your skin. So the next time you’re buying skincare products, make sure to choose pure and organic ingredients that will not harm your health.