Cosmetic Ingredients to Avoid

Top Five Cosmetic Ingredients to Avoid

The world of cosmetics is vast, my friend. Every day, a makeup company comes out with what they try to convince you is the next big thing or a skincare company tries to convince you that they have something that will solve your skin problems. But with all of these products, no doubt some of them will contain chemicals and ingredients that are harmful to your skin. Here are my top five cosmetic ingredients to avoid.

Sodium Lauryl Sufate

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a common ingredient in bath and cleansing items. SLS is most commonly made from petroleum oil or palm oil and functions in cosmetic ingredients as an emulsifier, helps keep ingredients mixed together, and as a surfactant, helps clean and create lather. You can find SLS in toothpaste, body washes, lotions, soaps, etc. Although SLS has been officially ruled as safe to use in cosmetics by Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments, there are considerations to be made. Be careful of the concentration of SLS in your product as the concentration can cause skin irritation which SLS is known to do.While SLS is not a known carcinogen (causes cancer), it is suspected to be an environmental toxin, corrosive (found in engine degreasers and car wash soaps), and an eye irritant. While I don't think skincare companies are putting the same concentration of SLS into your skincare as an engine degreaser, the cause for concern is still valid.

Parabens

We've talked briefly on this blog about parabens. Briefly, parabens are used mainly as preservatives in cosmetic products, used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. The most common types found in cosmetics are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparabens. As we've also briefly discussed in this blog, aside from color additives, cosmetic products' ingredients do not need to be approved by the FDA before getting mass produced and hitting the shelves. It is mostly up to the cosmetic companies themselves to leave out harmful ingredients like parabens.Studies by groups such as the European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has found evidence showing parabens as endocrine disruptors. There is also evidence showing parabens as human allergens and toxicants. Three groups, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety SCCS), and Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) OPINION ON Parabens, COLIPA n P82 have all determined that parabens are safe to use in cosmetics but subject to concentration and use limitations.Most cosmetic companies have opted not to use parabens in their products. Nowadays, from what I've observed, there are more products that boast of being paraben free than not.

Polyethylene Glycol

Polyethylene Glycols (PEG) are used in cosmetics as thickeners, softeners, and moisturizer. PEGs are most commonly used as a base for creams.The Environment Canada Domestic Substance List considers PEGs to be harmful and toxic. Even more worrying, PEGs can become contaminated by ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxide which are both VERY harmful ingredients that are known carcinogens. (Sidenote, there is also an 1,4-dioxide worry for SLS so it's safe just to not use anything with that in it.)

Dimethicones

Dimethicones are synthetic molecules found in a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products such as lotions, bath soaps, and hair care products where they function as an antifoaming and conditioning agent.Environment Canada Domestic Substance List classifies Dimethicones as expected to be toxic or harmful as well as an environmental toxin.Used in skincare, dimethicones do indeed create a moisture barrier on top of the skin and can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, remember that dimethicones provide a barrier on top of the skin so that healthy ingredients cannot sink in, trapping dirt and bacteria underneath and preventing natural bodily functions such as sweating, temperature regulation, and the release of dead skin cells that can lead to more breakouts.

Fragrances

Fragrances in cosmetics is very harmful according to the Environmental Working Group's database. Various groups and studies have found that fragrances are an immune system toxicant or allergen.Even more so, if you have sensitive skin, fragrances (also look for synonyms, or cutesy fancy words, such as aroma and parfum) will likely be a murder on your skin. On top of being a known allergen, fragrances do nothing for your skin in terms of actual effect. They're just there so the chemical-ey smell the product will otherwise have will be masked or to give something that didn't have a smell some type of scent. If you have very sensitive skin, take care when using products with fragrances in it.

This list is by no means exhaustive

We can sit here all day naming all the ingredients that could possibly make your skin break out but we don't have that kind of time. Maybe part two is in order after some time. Either way, these are just my top five that I immediately look out for when I check my cosmetics. If you need a good reference guide, check out the Environmental Working Group's database of ingredients and studies on its effects on humans. With this knowledge, go forth and conquer.