Are Chemicals in Skincare Bad?

Do you know which chemicals in skincare are bad for you?

Our skin is the largest organ in our body, yet it is also an important one. It protects other vital organs and tissue and it also helps to regulate our temperature and stores fat and water. It makes sense to be very careful about what we put on our skin. It has several important functions including protecting the rest of the body. What we put on our skin can affect all these essential functions.

Why choose natural and organic ingredients for skincare?

Clean beauty is more than just looking for the word ‘natural’ on the label of skin care products.
Many of the ingredients we put on our bodies are absorbed by our bodies and affect our health. Up to 60% of ingredients penetrate the skin- and we can’t trust the beauty industry to only offer us ingredients that are good for us. Many brands produce cosmetic products containing harmful ingredients. Skin irritation and sensitive skin are often triggered by beauty products and personal care products that contain potentially harmful ingredients.

Before people began questioning marketing and trusted products, many products (even a simple body wash) were found to contain potentially harmful formulations. Some chemicals found in traditional skin care products act as endocrine disruptors and have been linked to immune system damage, hormonal disruption, and reproductive issues. (These chemicals are often listed on the side of the product.)

Take a look at this list of ingredients to avoid in skincare:

Aluminum

This is a toxic metal that can have serious effects on your health, particularly on the endocrine system. Many antiperspirant deodorants include Aluminium, which releases a gas that interrupts the healthy functioning of the endocrine system. An endocrine disruptor is a type of chemical that has the ability to interfere with the body’s hormone system. This can cause hormonal imbalance in both men and women.

The three three-letter acronyms

Namely: DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), and TEA (triethanolamine)

They are found in products that foam, smell like ammonia, and are used for cleaning and cleansing (think soaps and face wash). Also, they are found in makeup, fragrances, hair products, and sunscreens.

Chemicals that release Formaldehyde

Namely: Imidazolidinyl or DMDM HYDANTOIN & UREA

Some chemicals are added to products to make them harder to spoil. However, these preservatives (especially the ones that release formaldehyde) could potentially cause joint pain, skin allergies, headaches, and sleep problems. Since formaldehyde is a known allergen and can cause other health problems, it’s important to be aware of which products contain this preservative. Aside from causing discomfort in the form of pain and rashes, these preservatives have also been linked to cancer.

Petroleum-based mineral oil

Mineral oil is a petroleum by-product that coats the skin and clogs its pores. This is incredibly harmful because it prevents the elimination of toxins, which in turn makes you more prone to acne and other disorders. This ingredient is found throughout the cosmetic industry and you can find it in anything from creams and lotions to oils and serums.

Avoid the Parabens PEMB

The Parabens PEMB are: Propyl, Ethyl, Methyl, and Butyl

These are particularly sneaky because they won’t always be labeled as Parabens, which is why you should be on the lookout for the PEMB’s. There are different kinds of parabens. Some are labeled, some are not. They’re sometimes used to extend the life of skincare products and can be found in almost everything, even your moisturizers, and deodorants. The most relatively commonly used parabens may cause some side effects that cause havoc with your hormones, disrupting the balance. However, reputable brands like Canzon avoid using them completely.

PEG (Polyethylene glycol)

PEG changes the melting point of products and makes them thicker. It is usually used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease. While this is a cost-effective way to produce skincare products, it has a negative effect on your skin’s natural ability to retain hydration. Therefore, Products including this in their ingredient list yet marketed as a moisturizer are showing you that they don’t really care much for the health of your skin. Instead, their focus is primarily on creating a product that can be sold for profit. And worse still, including ingredients that exacerbate the problem they are marketing a solution for.

Phthalates

This ingredient isn’t required to be listed on the label and is often listed as “fragrance” or “parfum”.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says phthalates in cosmetics are safe, even in high doses, but phthalates are known endocrine disruptors. The EPA has classified phthalates as possible endocrine disruptors, which means that they may interfere with the normal actions of our hormones.

Propylene Glycol and Butylene Glycol

These are often used as a solvent for extracting herbal essences. The danger with these has more to do with the rest of the ingredient entourage. This is because these are classified as hydrocarbons and make it easier for chemicals to penetrate through your skin. If a product has both propylene glycol as well as a harmful chemical, you are more likely to suffer the associated adverse effects from the chemical.

Siloxanes

Watch out for products containing ingredients ending in “-siloxane” or “-methicone”. They are often included in beauty and cosmetic products to promote a soft and luxurious feel but are also a potential endocrine disruptor.

Choosing the Right Skincare Products

When it comes to choosing the right skin care products, you need to know you can trust the brand you are supporting. Remember, buying products for your skin is an investment in not just your skin’s health, but your overall well-being. Always opt for organic sources of ingredients as often as possible, and don’t be shy to pull up a third-party report of the product. And if you can’t find it? Well, it might be time to support a company that does. Canzon offers third-party lab reports that are easy to find, and even easier to read.

Cultivate clean beauty with Canzon.