Ingredients to Avoid in Your Skincare Products
Choosing the right skincare products for you is essential for maintaining healthy and radiant skin. However, with the abundance of options available, it's crucial to be aware of the ingredients that may be harmful or unsuitable for your skin. We will explore the ingredients to avoid in skincare products and provide valuable tips for making informed choices. First we will look at things to consider when buying the products, and then provide you with the key list so you can refer to it when buying your skincare.
Consider the Application Area
The area where the product will be applied plays a significant role in determining ingredient concerns. For products that are rinsed off, such as cleansers and scrubs, the focus should be on their ability to effectively cleanse without leaving residue. However, for products that stay on the skin, like lotions and oils, it is crucial to prioritise clean ingredients due to their large surface area and potential for absorption.
Don't Fall for Marketing Hype
It's important to not be swayed solely by marketing claims or product popularity. Terms like "natural" and "organic" are not regulated, and not all plant-derived ingredients are beneficial. Instead, focus on the actual ingredients and their compatibility with your skin. As well as this, Look for products with minimum percentages of active ingredients for reliable protection and it helps you understand what levels of what active is going on your skin. Generally speaking, companies that list their full ingredients and explain what you do and don’t want in a product clearly on their websites or on their packaging are more likely to be safer, environmentally conscious, and overall more trustworthy.
The Game Plan:
Check the First Five Ingredients
We take the same advice as The Skincare Edit as to how to navigate whether or not the ingredients in a product are okay. The first few ingredients listed on a product label typically make up a significant percentage (usually 80%) of the formulation. Therefore, by examining roughly the first five ingredients, you can get a better idea of what’s in the product and therefore whether or not its a clean composition. It's advisable to extend the observation to the first 5-10 ingredients, particularly on products that are not going to be washed off, just for that extra caution.
Understand Ingredient Names
Familiarising yourself with common ingredient names can help you make informed decisions. For example, tocopherol is a form of vitamin E, known for its antioxidant properties. By recognising these names, you can better assess the composition of a product. It can get super confusing, of course, as some products will contain the same ingredients but use entirely different names for them. We’ve discussed below how to deal with this as, unsurprisingly, there are always tell tale signs that they’re there.
Utilise Reliable Resources
Websites such as the EWG Skin Deep Database, CosDNA, and Paula's Choice Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary are excellent resources for understanding the safety and potential effects of specific ingredients. These platforms provide comprehensive information to help you make informed choices. There are also Apps, such as OnSkin, that can scan the back of your skincare and assess the safety level of its ingredients. Its a perfect little add-on to help you while you’re shopping.
In addition to being mindful of ingredients, it's important to properly store your skincare products to maintain their efficacy and safety. Here are a few tips:
Check Expiry Dates: Skincare products have a limited shelf life, typically ranging from 6 to 12 months. Using expired products may lead to skin irritations or infections. Check the expiry dates and discard any products that have expired.
Store in Cool, Dark Places: To preserve the integrity of your skincare products, store them in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight, radiators, or windowsills. Heat and light exposure can degrade the ingredients and reduce the product's effectiveness.
Avoid Contamination: To prevent bacterial growth and potential skin reactions, avoid introducing contaminants into your skincare products. Always use clean hands or tools when scooping out or applying products and avoid dipping fingers directly into jars.
The List of Ingredients to Avoid:
Synthetic Fragrances: These can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. Opt for products with natural fragrance sources or those labeled fragrance-free. If you know you don’t have particularly reactive skin or really like a certain product, at a minimum make sure it’s the last ingredient on the list.
Sulphates: Sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and ammonium lauryl sulfate are very harsh surfactants that can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause all sorts of skin concerns. Look for sulphate-free options for gentler cleansing and overall a cleaner product.
Silicones: Ingredients ending in "-cone," "-siloxane," or "-conol" are silicones that can create a barrier on the skin, potentially clogging pores and hindering the skin's natural processes. Common names include dimethicone, cyclomethicone, dimethiconol, bis-PEG-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, triethoxycaprylylsilane,
Mineral Oil: Ingredients such as petrolatum, liquid petroleum, paraffin oil, or paraffinum liquidum are derived from petroleum. They can create a barrier that interferes with the skin's ability to breathe and retain moisture. And of course, you’re being environmentally safe by avoiding it.
Specific Chemical Sunscreens: Ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate offer inferior protection and have been associated with hormone disruption and cell damage and sometimes can be found in suncreams. Opt for mineral sunscreens with ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for a more effective and safer choice.
Parabens: While many manufacturers have replaced parabens with phenoxyethanol. It may be somewhat safer, but it can still cause irritation, especially on reactive or very reactive skin. Look for products labeled paraben-free and alway check the back for this ingredient.
Formaldehyde Releasers: Ingredients like formaldehyde, quaternium-15, and DMDM hydantoin are preservatives that can release formaldehyde over time, potentially causing skin irritation and sensitisation.
Being aware of the ingredients to avoid in skincare products is so important for maintaining healthy and nourished skin. Ultimately, your level of comfort with these is determined by your own relationship with your skin, your products, and your desired routine. However it is always good to consider and understand what you’re actually choosing to use. By avoiding potentially irritating ingredients, you can make more informed choices when selecting your skincare. Additionally, storing your products properly and adhering to expiry dates will ensure their efficacy and safety. Remember to prioritise clean, skin-friendly ingredients and take steps to protect and care for your skin on your skincare journey.
