Ingredients You Should Avoid in Cosmetics

Certain ingredients in cosmetics may not be suitable for your skin, but many people do not think about it until it is too late. To avoid ingesting harmful ingredients and ensure that you are using the most up-to-date skin care techniques, use a list of ingredients you should avoid when making your care products. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains has significant benefits for the skin. Having a balanced diet is important that includes these nutrients and avoids processed foods as much as possible. This article will discuss five different ingredients you should avoid in cosmetics.

Parabens

Parabens are chemical preservatives found in cosmetics and skincare products. They are used to extend the shelf life of a product. However, parabens have been linked to breast cancer, reproductive toxicity, and skin irritation. Parabens can be found in body washes, shampoos, hair gels, and sunscreens.

Parabens have been used for several years in cosmetics because they are cheap to produce and prevent the growth of bacteria. There is no consensus among scientists regarding their safety or harmfulness to humans. Still, many people choose not to use products that contain parabens because of the uncertainty surrounding their safety. However, some products, such as lanolin lip balm, avoid this ingredient for the safety of their consumers.

Petrolatum

Petrolatum is another ingredient you should avoid when creating your care products because it is toxic to your environment and health. Petrolatum is most often used as a thickener in lotions and creams that help protect against dryness and irritation on the skin. It is also used as a moisturizer and a hair conditioner.

Petrolatum is similar in consistency to vaseline, which is why it works so well in these products. The problem with petrolatum is that it does not break down easily, which means that it doesn’t decompose for a long time and causes harm to the organisms living there. It can also build up in your tissues and organs, which may cause health problems in humans over time.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is an ingredient that you should avoid when creating your personal care products because it can irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. If you ingest it or if it gets absorbed into your skin, it can be toxic. 

Propylene glycol is used in cosmetics because of its ability to absorb water and oil from other ingredients and help them mix smoothly. It can be used as an emulsifying agent because of its ability to create a stable mixture between water, oil, and other ingredients.

Propylene glycol is used in deodorants because it helps absorb water from your underarms and inhibit bacterial growth. The Environmental Working Group has named propylene glycol one of the worst chemicals for personal care products because it can cause irritation, allergies, and hormone disruption.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

You should avoid using this ingredient when creating your personal care products because it is known to be a skin irritant. It has also been shown to increase cancer risk when applied to the skin repeatedly over a long period of time.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is an emulsifier that helps ingredients mix smoothly in products like shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving cream. It works by attracting water molecules from other ingredients, allowing them to mix easily.

Sodium lauryl sulfate can be found in almost any product that contains water and oil, including shampoos, conditioners, shaving creams, toothpaste, and some soaps.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is an ingredient that you should avoid using in your personal care products because it is a known human carcinogen. It also irritates the eyes and mucous membranes and can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Formaldehyde is usually found in hair straightening products, nail polish, liquid eyeliner and mascara, facial masks, wrinkle creams, deodorants, and fragrances.

In conclusion, it is very important that you read the list of ingredients on any cosmetic products you are using and check them to see if they contain any chemicals that can cause cancer. Also, it is important to avoid any health risk products. If you have any concerns about a product, speak to your doctor or dermatologist.