Why should you avoid harmful ingredients in your skincare and beauty products? 

Do you ever notice how your skin reacts after applying any skin product? For example, if your skin has become dry, your scalp itchy, redness, or any abnormal change, go and check ingredients on your skincare label. If it gets out of hand, immediately consult a dermatologist.  

What are the unusual symptoms?  

If you still ignore the signs and red flags, here are more reasons to stop using harmful ingredients on your skin. 

Damaging your skin barrier 

Your skin acid mantle is the natural protective layer of your skin. This layer consists of fatty acids, natural oils, amino acids, and other acids protecting your skin from environmental pollutants and bacteria. If your skin is healthy, it protects you from bacteria, fungi, pollution, and sun damage. Unfortunately, harmful chemicals damage your natural protective layer and leave your skin exposed to environmental microbes, making your skin dry, and itchy. 

Allergies and Breakouts 

Toxic ingredients can also trigger allergies, permanent skin damage, and breakouts resulting in itchy and dry skin. According to the U.S Food & Drug Department, when your immune system overreacts to substances, it can strike allergies and breakouts.  

Imbalance in your skin pH level  

Your skin pH level plays a crucial role in keeping your skin healthy and glowing. When your skin pH level is imbalanced, it causes acne, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis. In addition, wrong ingredients can affect the pH balance of your skin.  

Ingredients to avoid in skincare 

Generally, these ingredients are found in soap, shampoo, detergents, and anything foam based. Have you ever wondered why your scalp feels dry or itchy? Or your skin feels harsh and rough after using soap or shampoo? It is because of SLS and SLES that wreaks dryness and redness on your skin. If you notice these symptoms after doing laundry, dishes, or washing your hair, these are the direct effects of harsh ingredients on your skin.  

According to scientific studies, the main phthalates in cosmetics and Personal Care Products are dibutyl phthalate in nail polish, diethyl phthalate in perfumes and lotions, and dimethyl phthalate in hair spray. Often, their presence is not noted on labels. Therefore, these ingredients are not shown on labels.  

These can create hormonal imbalance and cause other serious health issues. Further research is warranted to identify the most critical windows of exposure, the importance of exposure pathways, interactions with social factors, and the effects of co-exposure to phthalates and other environmental contaminants. 

Toothpaste, serum, cleaners, moisturizers, and shampoos all contain both glycols. After water, these ingredients are at the top of the list. Even in the face sheet masks and other masks, you will find these ingredients.  

If your skincare product has glycols and your skin feels itchy and flaky, it is probably because of the side effects of glycols. Skincare products have glycols in large quantities, and they might make your skin irritated and flaky.  

Are parabens good or bad for your skin? Parabens are the most common preservatives used in beauty and skincare products to keep the product fresh. Parabens resist the growth of bacteria, micro-organisms, and fungi, particularly in hot and humid conditions.  

Now with the increased awareness, companies are manufacturing paraben and sulfate-free skincare and beauty products.  

Tips for healthy skincare routine 

Here’s a Healthy Skincare routine with organic ingredients that will heal your skin with kindness and not harsh chemicals.  The basic steps towards healthy glowing skin are; 

To avoid the side effects of products, apply a tiny amount of product inside your elbows and wait for at least 48 hours to check if it is not causing any irritation or dryness on your skin. When choosing skincare products, make sure you read the labels and look for ‘dermatologist tested, ‘hypoallergenic,’ ‘sensitivity tested,’ and others. It would be best for your skin if you go with vegan or cruelty-free products.