Are Your Favorite Skincare Products Harming Your Skin?

Favorite Skincare Products Harming Your Skin

You’ve been using your favorite skincare products for a long time. Are you sure those products are good for your skin? It seems somewhat contradictory to think that a skincare product might not be good for your skin, but the truth is, many products aren’t.

There are three general factors that determine whether a skincare product is good for your skin: your skin type, whether you have a skin condition, and the product’s ingredients.

Your skin type determines if your favorite skincare products are good for your skin

Favorite Skincare Products Harming Your SkinYou might love the way a lotion feels or smells, but it could be secretly doing harm to your skin. For example, you can have oily skin that also lacks hydration. In that case, you don’t want to use skincare products that dry your skin; you need products that hydrate. If you have dry skin, you also need products that hydrate.

There are some skincare products formulated for every skin type, but if you have a skin condition, you may need to be extra careful. Skin type is not the same as having a skin condition. Certain ingredients that are okay for all skin types might not be good for certain skin conditions.

If you have a skin condition, you should always consult your physician before using any product. If you don’t have a skin condition, it’s crucial to choose skincare products based on your skin type; don’t fall for marketing messages, intoxicating scents, or celebrity endorsements.

Your skin condition might make certain products bad for you

When you have a skin condition (like eczema or psoriasis), you need to be selective with skincare products. For example, coal tar is often used to treat psoriasis but it can cause major irritation and make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Although coal tar has been approved by the FDA, it should always be used with caution.

Another problem ingredient for people with psoriasis is tea tree oil. While many people have found relief from tea tree oil, others experience allergic reactions. Tea tree oil is extremely potent and should always be diluted for use.

Undiluted tea tree oil can cause third-degree burns. However, even over-diluted tea tree oil can cause problems for people with psoriasis. Since tea tree oil is found in a variety of beauty products, you need to be cautious and read labels carefully.

Some skincare products are inherently harmful

Some skincare products are inherently harmfulWhile a good skincare product depends on your skin type, there are many products inherently harmful to any skin type. These products commonly contain ingredients like:

  • Parabens
  • Formaldehyde
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Petrolatum
  • Hydroquinone
  • Triclosan
  • Phthalates
  • Drying alcohols

1. Parabens

Parabens are preservatives that prevent the product from collecting harmful bacteria. While the research is unclear in terms of cause and effect, parabens have been found in breast tumors. It’s probably a good idea to avoid them.

2. Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a gas that acts as an anti-bacterial preservative. In minimal amounts, formaldehyde is harmless – it’s found in trace amounts in plants, smoke, and food.

Low levels of formaldehyde are approved for use in skincare products, but today’s products use certain preservatives to time-release the formaldehyde. These preservatives are allergens and cause irritation for many people. Several of these preservatives include:

  • Diazolidinyl urea
  • Bronopol
  • 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
  • Imidazolidinyl urea
  • Quaternium-15

3. Sodium lauryl sulfate

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant with a variety of uses. The most common use is to turn liquid body wash into a foaming lather. The bubbles created by SLS trap dirt and make it easy to wash that dirt away.

SLS is also used as an emulsifier to thicken solutions that include various ingredients with differing solubility. Unfortunately, it’s an eye and skin irritant that strips your skin of its natural oils. SLS causes dry, flaky skin, allergic reactions, and redness. In worst cases, SLS causes dermatitis and dandruff. It’s also a suspected carcinogen.

To maintain healthy skin, stick to natural skincare products

maintain-healthy-skinWith all the harsh chemical ingredients and potential for allergic reactions and irritation, it’s best to stick to natural skincare products.

Over the years, many skincare companies have become committed to creating products that help all skin types without the harsh, drying chemicals. We’re seeing more skincare companies across the world follow the French Pharmacy model where “less is more” and the secret to good skin is clean, natural formulas.

Do yourself and your skin a huge favor. Read all of the ingredients you’ve been applying to your skin and make sure you’re not using anything harmful. If you find an ingredient that is suspicious, replace it with a natural alternative to keep your skin happy and healthy.

Article Submitted By Community Writer

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top