Gone are the days when cosmetic and skin care products used to include only natural products. But to gain faster and more effective results, cosmetics and skin care companies have started using some toxic ingredients that deplete the upper layer of our skin, exposing our cells thus allowing more breakouts and leading to premature ageing. These toxic ingredients are hidden in plain sight and contain hundreds of hard chemicals that are absorbed by the skin and inhaled by us.
Some of the ingredients are also linked to birth defects, cancer, skin issues, and other serious health issues as well. Let’s take a quick look at the top 5 toxic ingredients that should be avoided from our daily skin care products. (Image Credits: Pinterest) Phthalates Phthalates are mostly used in cosmetics and skin care products including moisturisers, serums, nail polishes, hair sprays, and shampoos.
They are also known as endocrine disruptors and are linked to breast cancer and birth defects in males and females both. They hamper our hormones and are also included in several fragrances as well making it hard to avoid this ingredient. Phenoxyethanol Phenoxyethanol is mostly used in perfumes, facial mists, and essential oils as well, and is very harmful.
It should not be inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed via skin and should strictly not be used by infants and mothers. Phenoxyethanol also can affect our brain and our entire central nervous system leading to irritation in skin and eyes. In some cases, it also might cause blisters and should not be included in your skincare routine.
Alcohols There are two types of alcohol, good and bad. Bad alcohols are methanol, isopropyl alcohol, propanol, benzyl alcohol, and sd alcohol i.e.
alcohol denat. These alcohols make our skin extremely dry and irritating to the skin leading to inflammation, whereas they also strip the skin off, breaking down the skin’s barrier which is also not good for the long term. These might feel good on the skin as they are not non-greasy and light, but they increase the acne-causing bacteria making the case of inflammation worse.
Parabens Parabens are used in a wide array of cosmetics and skincare products including in serums, shampoos, and foundations. There has been a great debate in the past years about including this ingredient in skincare products which might lead to breast cancer. However, it depends on everyone’s skin texture and type, but just to be on the safer side, take a step back from skincare products without parabens.
(Image Credits: Pinterest) Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is mainly a flammable but colourless gas that is used heavily in lotions and deodorants causing skin irritation, difficulty breathing, a burning sensation in the nose, and watery eyes. It is classified as a human carcinogen and should never be used in closed spaces, but should always be used in ventilated areas to reduce exposure to it. Formaldehyde is mostly used by nail artists and salon stylists, mainly in hair sprays and cuticle oils as well.
Top 10 tips for achieving acne-free clear skin In the end, it depends on you to make the call to use these ingredients in your skincare routine. While they might keep you away from the bacteria and marks for a short period, in the longer run these chemicals can turn your skin hollow and dry leading to hazardous results. Therefore, be wise and know what’s best for your skin.
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