While it can be overwhelming to wrap our heads around the plethora of ingredients found in the labels of our skincare products – there is a growing need to become more aware of how they could be negatively impacting our skin – especially if we already suffer from existing skin conditions.
Given that we use these beauty products on a daily basis, they are often absorbed and stored in our bodies – causing possible irritation and contact allergies in both the short and long-run, especially after being exposed to it for extended periods of time.
And the data says it all: roughly 8 – 15% of all cases of contact dermatitis is caused by the use of cosmetics2. In addition, a recent study conducted by researchers at Chemical & Engineering News tested 187 cosmetic products for 80 of the most common known allergens. Shockingly, 89% of the products contained at least one known allergen on the list, while 63% contained two or more3!
Since people suffering from skin conditions often already have a compromised skin barrier – using products that can aggravate their condition can ultimately evolve into much bigger issues.
This is why it’s time to take matters into our own hands and as consumers, educate ourselves and actively avoid ingredients that are huge culprits in causing nasty flareups and reactions! Here are 3 of the biggest no-nos:
Parabens are a type of preservative that is used to stop the growth of fungus, bacteria and harmful microbes in our skincare products and prolong its shelf-life.
Typically found in lotions, shampoos, makeup and even deodorants – you might find parabens under the name of butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben. While they might seem harmless, they can actually cause premature aging and increased sensitivity and damage from UV rays4!
In addition, there has been a lot of debate on the association between parabens and breast cancer – since it has been detected in human breast cancer tissues and can mimic estrogen, although the research is largely inconclusive. However, it is clear that parabens disrupt the hormonal patterns in our body, and given that we aren’t able to naturally break them down, we can end up accumulating it in our body, resulting in illnesses in the long-run.
Regardless, it is best to not risk it and avoid parabens altogether.
SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), or SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) are substances that are commonly found in our facial wash, shampoo, and toothpaste. It is not uncommon to find SLS in our laundry detergents and industrial cleaning products due to their powerful cleansing and “degreasing” properties.
While SLS gives our products that nice “foamy” effect – it also strips our skin of its protective layers and natural oils, leaving us with dry, inflamed skin, brittle hair, and irritated eyes. In fact, studies have shown that sulfate is one of the key culprits of hair loss and thinning hair as it actually damages hair follicles and stops hair growth!
The truth is, SLS is not the only ingredient capable of effective cleansing – several botanical ingredients and seed phytonutrients can equally do a good job without causing great harm to our skin in the process.
SLS can go under several names such as sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium salt, dodecyl alcohol, and sodium monododecyl sulfate – so be sure to look out for those!
Yes, we all love and enjoy products that smell good – but did you know synthetic fragrances are the most common cause of allergies to cosmetics?
In addition, fragrances that are used in our products are typically a mix of 10 to 30 different ingredients, making it even harder to pinpoint the exact cause of a reaction.
Unfortunately, fragrances from natural sources such as essential oils can also cause a negative reaction – where researchers reported an increase in adverse reactions to patch tests that included essential oils such as jasmine, rose, ylang ylang, and chamomile5!
Remember: not all ingredients are created equal – rather than looking at brand names and what is being marketed, you need to dig deeper into the what is behind the labels.
According to the Health Sciences Authority (HAS), “hypoallergenic” indicates that the product is less likely to cause allergic reactions, although not much scientific proof is required to prove it. The same goes for “natural” products.
These days, many products label their products as “unscented”, “hypoallergenic”, “sulphate-free”, and “fragrance-free”, but this does not necessarily mean that they are completely safe for use on sensitive and easily irritated skin.
Sometimes, it also depends on the grade and purity of the ingredients used, which is why it is recommended to not just do your due diligence on the ingredients list, but also study the brand or company making the product and their practices.
While it is believed that a complicated and extensive list of skincare products is essential to having glowing, healthy skin – less is actually more.
Keeping to a simplified and streamlined routine with tried-and-tested products containing minimal ingredients, as well as conducting your own patch test before giving yourself the green light to use any product is your best bet to keeping your skin in shape and maximizing the benefits of your products!
The moment you notice any redness, swelling, itching, or burning after using a product – stop using it immediately.
Regardless of whether you are suffering from a skin condition or not, you will definitely benefit from avoiding these ingredients in your skincare products, and your skin will thank you for it in the long run!
If you are still having problems resolving these skin conditions – you can always count on a dermatologist for recommendations on treatment and product alternatives.
