5 Chemicals to Avoid in Your Skincare Routine

5 Chemicals to Avoid in Your Skincare Routine

You’ve heard about the benefits of skincare products, but did you know that there are some harmful chemicals lurking in them? While not all products contain these chemicals, it’s still important to pay attention to the ingredients list and opt for products with more natural options instead. Here are five chemicals that you should avoid in your skincare routine at all costs.

#1: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

The first chemical on our list is the surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate. While it is an effective cleaning agent and can be used as a foaming agent, it also has been found to cause skin irritation, breakouts, and hives for some people. It is added as a wetting agent for liquids that are not otherwise water-soluble, such as oils or petrolatum.

#2: Parabens

Parabens are commonly used as preservatives and in skincare products as moisturizers. You'll often find them under names such as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, or isobutylparaben. When a product is labeled paraben-free, this means it does not contain any of these.

The truth is that not all parabens are toxic - it all depends on the concentration.

#3: Fragrance

When it comes to the chemicals in our skin care routine, fragrance is one of the more dangerous ingredients. The problem with fragrance isn't just that they can be toxic and produce an allergic reaction - fragrances are often made up of numerous chemicals, many of which have not been tested for safety. Studies have shown that this may also lead to hormone disruption and cancer. For these reasons, I avoid skin care products containing fragrance (also called parfum) whenever possible.

#4: PEGs

The scientific name for PEGs is polyethylene glycol. These ingredients have a high molecular weight and can cause reactions such as skin dryness, itchiness, rashes, contact dermatitis and more. Plus, there are many concerns about the potential for developing allergic reactions (a situation that can lead to anaphylactic shock) when PEGs are present.

#5: Polycyclic Musks

Polycyclic musks have been associated with the development of cancer and tumors in various animal studies. The European Union restricts the use of nine different musks, three of which are polycyclic musks, while Canada has banned six different types. The United States has not restricted any.