Taking care of our skin is a priority. If we are good to it, it will be good to us. With so many skincare products to choose from, what do you do? Whatever skincare line you decide to use, there are some chemicals that shouldnt be contained in any of them.
1. Alcohols“Many skincare products contain alcohols in some form. You may not actually see the word alcohol but ingredients that end in ols are more than likely some type of alcohol. Most alcohols are used as drying agents. They help products to blend into the skin and disappear. Alcohol dries in air. For people with dry skin, alcohols will deplete moisture in the skin and increase the dryness. When found in shampoos, they can strip the hair follicles of essential oils and leave the hair brittle and dry.
2. Parabens“What are these products? It is a chemical that inhibits the growth of bacterial in products like lotions and creams. When we pour or pump lotion from the bottle, our skin may come in contact with the top. It is a potential source of contamination to the product especially if several people use it. Parabens work to stop that, but can cause skin irritations in many users.
3. Fragrances“Everyone wants to smell good. Plenty of skin care products contain fragrances to give them a nice scent. Unfortunately, these fragrances can cause skin irritations. A fragrance is created by combining chemicals. Any one of those chemicals can cause an adverse reaction on you face or elsewhere on your body.
4. Phthalates“This word is hard to pronounce and with good reason. It is normally found in plastic to increase its flexibility. A chemical like that doesnt belong in any substance that goes on your body. But, it does wind up in some lotions and even soap.
5. Dyes“Dyes give skincare products their color. Even if it is a beige color, you can bet that there was a dye added to your product. People with sensitive skin develop dryness and itching from various dyes. Try natural products that are dye free.
Reading labels is important. The more that you know about what you are buying, the less likely you are to purchase a skincare product containing one of these chemicals. Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesnt regulate skincare products, it is up to us to police them.
The next time you shop for skincare items, read the label carefully. This goes for all natural products as well. Eliminate as many of the above chemicals as possible from your products as possible. If the good substances are listed at the bottom of the ingredient list, chances are there are only trace amounts in the product and not enough to be of any benefit