Do you ever look at the ingredients labels on your skincare and think ‘what the f*ck even is that!?’. There’s so many ingredients with long unpronounceable names, how do we know that we’re putting on our skin is even good for it‽ With this in mind I decided to do a little bit of research into the world of skincare ingredients and created this list of 10 ingredients you should be avoiding. (Hot tip: bookmark this post so you can refer back to it).
Let’s go…
+ ALUMINUM
Why should we avoid it? It has been linked to breast cancer.
Found in: Almost every personal care product, especially antiperspirant deodorants.
+ DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), and TEA (triethanolamine)
Why should we avoid it? Shown to be an allergen (bare this in my mind if you have sensitive skin). DEA is also a carcinogen and a respiratory toxin.
Found in: Products that foam like facial cleansers and soaps. They are also found in eye makeup , fragrances, hair products, and sun creams.
+ DMDM HYDANTOIN & UREA (Imidazolidinyl)
Why should we avoid it? May cause joint pain, skin allergies, headaches, and loss of sleep.
Found in: Skincare products, cosmetics, shampoos and conditioners, and detergents.
+ MINERAL OIL
Why should we avoid it? It coats the skin like plastic, clogging its pores and interfering with the skins ability to eliminate toxins increasing the likelihood of skin conditions such as acne.
Found in: Creams, lotions, ointments, and cosmetics.
+ PARABENS (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl)
Why should we avoid it? May contribute to hormone imbalance. Also a well known carcinogen.
Found in: Almost everywhere including skincare products such as moisturizers and deodorants.
+ PEG (Polyethylene glycol)
Why should we avoid it? An ingredient that can alter and reduce the skin’s natural moisture levels.
Found in: Cleansers to dissolve oil and grease.
+ PHTHALATES
Why should we avoid it? Like parabens, phthalates are endocrine disruptors and can cause hormonal and reproductive problems and birth defects.
Found in: Cosmetics such as fragrance oils and listed under the term “fragrance”. Also found in nail polish, hair sprays, aftershave lotions, soaps, shampoos & perfumes.
+ PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG) & BUTYLENE GLYCOL
Why should we avoid it? Can weaken the protein and cellular structure.
Found in: Cosmetics and skin care
+ SILOXANES
Why should we avoid it? Look for ingredients ending in “-siloxane” or “-methicone.” Suspected endocrine disrupter, reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane) and carcinogenic.
Found in: Deodorants and moisturisers
+ SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS)
Why should we avoid it? Effects skin protein and causes dryness. Can also weaken hair damage and cause hair loss.
Found in: 90% of personal-care products that foam!
There are so many more but I didn’t want to make this post too long, let me know if this was helpful and of any other ingredients that should be avoided in the comments! I want to start focusing more on clean beauty on this blog because I think it’s so important. Make sure you subscribe to the email list below to stay up to date.
P.S. Head over to my instagram story where I’ve shared an app that can help you shop cleaner and avoid bad ingredients. (It will be in my ‘Beauty’ highlight) I’ll also be sharing more clean beauty products over there.
Pin it:
