5 Deadly Toxins That You Must Avoid in Your Skin Care

Last updated on : September 17 2021

Toxins In Skin Care Products 

Have you checked that your skincare products do not contain harmful ingredients - because you could be using skin substances that are toxic and causing you some harm every day? 

Recently, California became the first state to ban 24 toxic chemicals used in cosmetics and personal care products. So it's worth understanding more.

Additionally, women are most likely to fall victim to hazardous skin substances. According to ABC News, women put on their bodies an average of 168 chemicals every day. It sounds scary and surreal, but this is the reality. 

And as the most significant body organ, your skin can easily absorb anything you put on it, including the many beauty and skincare products you use every day. Research shows that up to 60-70% of the substances we apply to our skin will be absorbed.

Try to reflect on your morning routine alone. Perhaps it consists of several different personal care products. These may include face wash, skin toner, moisturizer, foundation, body lotion, deodorant, and perfume. 

There are many everyday skin products that we might assume are safe. However, you may be surprised that these items could be the ones with the most toxic ingredients. So, it's crucial to find out more about them.

Our article below explores five dangerous toxins that you should avoid in your skincare regime - check your skincare products against the list to ensure you aren't unwittingly using anything dangerous. 

Five Dangerous Toxins To Avoid in Your Skincare Products

These five toxins are worth understanding better. 

1. Parabens

Parabens are a set of chemicals that are often used to preserve cosmetic products. These preservatives prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold in cosmetics, hence increasing the product's shelf life. 

You'll find this element in almost every beauty product, including makeup, facial wash, body lotions, night cream, face masks, shampoo, body wash, and hair care products. Their prevalence means that you may interact with parabens in one skincare product or more. 

When you use products that contain paraben, they penetrate your body through your skin and remain in your tissue. In this form, they can mimic estrogen and cause delicate hormonal imbalances in your body.

Because they act as hormone disruptors, they can cause various reproductive and fertility issues. Moreover, increased estrogen levels can trigger the multiplication of breast cell division and drive tumor growth. 

These reasons are why paraben has been linked to breast cancer 

Parabens can trigger skin irritations plus other allergic skin reactions. Skin irritations may happen especially to those with sensitive, broken, or damaged skin types.

Unfortunately, the Food Drug and Administration (FDA) does not have special rules applied to the preservatives in cosmetics. The law handles the preservatives in cosmetics like any other cosmetic ingredients.

Luckily, you can identify parabens in skin products using names like:

• Methylparaben
• Butylparaben
• Ethylparaben
• Propyl parabens

So, it's upon you to carefully check the components of the skin and beauty products you buy from beauty stores, retail shops, and supermarkets.

2. Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals often used by manufacturers to soften the plastics found in cosmetics and make them flexible. They do this to make the beauty products stickable to the skin.

However, phthalates can be hazardous, and it's best to stay away from them. They can cause disruptions in the endocrine system.

Moreover, pregnant mothers should be cautious to avoid this ingredient in their skin products. They can lead to congenital disabilities when absorbed into the bodies of expectant mothers.  

Phthalates are primarily found in body lotions, body mists, deodorants, fragrances, and hair sprays. Congress has already banned some phthalate types from children's products.

3. Lead

Lead is a heavy metal termed a neurotoxin. It can cause severe neurological problems, such as slowed IQ levels. 

Manufacturers are already eliminating it from things like gasoline and paint. The FDA has taken further steps to eliminate from the market products containing lead at unsafe levels.

In 2016, FDA issued draft guidance on the lead as an impurity found in cosmetic products like lipsticks, eye shadows, compact powders, blushes, body lotions, and shampoos.

Lead can cause skin irritations and discoloration. If you wear makeup products containing the metal, it could be ingested or absorbed through your skin. Additionally, you may touch the product and end up touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. 

Lead can also cause harm to muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels. Too much exposure to this heavy metal can cause irreversible brain damage. 

At very high levels, lead poisoning may occur, which is fatal.

4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

SLS and SLES are common skin irritants that can also trigger different allergies. They are commonly found in body wash, bubble baths, and hair care products.

If your skin is sensitive and you apply skin products containing SLS or SLES, the sulfates may clog the skin pores. They may also cause acne. 

Furthermore, SLS takes off the skin's natural oils hence causing dry skin and other allergic reactions. It can also cause eye irritations. 

Some people may react badly to the SLS and SLES chemicals, leading to inflammatory skin reactions. Symptoms may include skin and scalp itchiness, eczema, and dermatitis. 

5. Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is commonly found in lotions, creams, and ointments. It helps to understand that mineral oil falls in the chemical category referred to as hydrocarbons. 

These are compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen. The typical hydrocarbons include mineral oil, petrolatum, and paraffin. 

Mineral oils are widely used as skin softening and moisturizing ingredients because of their soothing feeling when used on the skin.  

Usually, mineral oil ingredients lock in moisture to facilitate the healing of dry, irritated skin. They make cosmetic products feel silky and luxurious. That's why you may find beauticians using mineral oil products in skincare services. 

However, most people may not know that mineral oil's barrier effect on the skin can also block skin pores. Mineral oil is a petroleum by-product, which coats the skin and clogs the skin pores.  

Clogging of skin pores is highly toxic because it hinders the skin's ability to get rid of toxins. The result is an increased likelihood of acne and other skin disorders.

Surprisingly, a dermatologist says that beauty creams, which combine both mineral oil and paraffin, can further damage the skin barrier and lead to the skin's increased water loss. 

How To Find Non-Toxic Makeup

Our article on toxic ingredients in makeup covers in detail how to find makeup without toxins. 

Additionally, becoming a licensed cosmetologist is another way you might inspire yourself to better care for your skin. Or to guide others through more healthy skin care usage. 

Becoming a cosmetologist might seem over the top. However, there are over 31,000 skincare specialists working in the United States, and demand is growing.   

Other Important Skin Care Considerations

As you try to shift into healthier skincare products, do not forget other remarkable skincare tips like:

• Keeping off smoking habits
• Using skin care products that match your skin type and needs
• Resisting the constant urge to scrub your skin
• Washing your face gently
• Eating healthy foods
• Drinking plenty of water
• Avoiding stress
• Occasionally consulting a certified skincare specialist 

Conclusion

Given all the toxins in makeup, it's essential to check what is contained in the skincare products we use daily. Otherwise, we may feel content our skin is glowing from the outside - yet some irreversible damage happens inside.

Finding out which skin ingredients to avoid can be challenging but worth it in the end. And, switching to products containing safe elements will make you feel better about your health. 

When your skin is clearer and appears healthier, you feel good about yourself. It helps to know that you are taking the proper steps towards your long-term health.

So, dig through your makeup cabinet and check all the beauty products stored there because you might end up finding skincare products that contain harmful substances affecting your health day by day. 

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