Have you ever made assumptions about a product’s ingredients based on its packaging? It turns out that most people do. When we look at a product that is packaged in recycled or eco-friendly packaging, we assume that it’s “natural” or free from harmful ingredients, without doing our homework. While consumers are becoming more aware of which ingredients to avoid on product labels for consumables, we don’t quite know what to look for when we check the labels of personal care products - that is, if we check them at all and if the ingredients are listed on the labels.

Because there are (unfortunately) many harmful ingredients in skin care products, it’s important to know what to look for and what to avoid. Just because a label states that a product is free of parabens, it does not mean that the product is free from all other toxins. If unsure what’s in a particular product, reach out to the company to inquire about the ingredients used.

In this article, we’re going to focus on the most common toxic ingredients that are found in skin care, beauty and cosmetics. The next time you see these ingredients listed on a label, think twice before you buy the product or apply it to your skin.

TOP INGREDIENTS TO AVOID

Parabens
Parabens are a group of chemicals that are widely used in skin care products to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria and increase a product’s shelf life. Although consumers are becoming more aware of their presence today, they’ve actually been added to body care and cosmetic products for decades. Studies have shown that parabens were detected in urine samples of adults in the United States - this indicates that our bodies absorb the parabens present in our personal care products. Besides skin irritation and rashes, studies have suggested that parabens may disrupt the function of hormones in the body, specifically estrogen, leading to fertility issues and may even contribute to the risk of cancer. Find out more about parabens here, and avoid products with ingredients that look like this: methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl- and isobutylparaben.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are widely used in manufacturing various plastics to make them more flexible. They are also widely used in personal care products to help lubricate other substances (in shampoos, nail polishes and soaps) and to carry fragrances (in perfumes and body lotions). An ingredient that is included in the manufacturing of plastic and skincare? Doesn't sound right! The concerning thing about Phthalates is that they’re present in our food, in our homes and in our products. The cumulative exposure of this one chemical is too high, especially for infants, children and pregnant women. While some studies have shown that exposure can lead to asthma; others have suggested that too much exposure can lead to hormone disruption in men and women and behavioral or cognitive issues in children. Find out more about Phthalates here, and avoid products that list “Fragrance” as an ingredient.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas, with a strong odor. The EPA states that exposure to formaldehyde “can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. High levels of exposure may cause some types of cancers.” So, why is this ingredient found in cosmetic and personal care products? It is used as a preservative as it helps to prevent the growth of bacteria. It’s commonly used in nail polish, nail glue, eyelash glue, soaps, shampoos and hair smoothing products. Unfortunately, Formaldehyde is hard to spot on product labels because it can be disguised under other product names that when decomposing, form molecules of formaldehyde. You may find them listed as quaternium 15, 3 dioxanes, DMDM hydantoin or methylene glycol. Because formaldehyde is a gas, storing products that contain it in the sun causes more of it to be released, so be careful how you store products that may contain it.
Triclosan
Triclosan is a chemical preservative used in many cosmetics and skincare products due to its antibacterial properties. It is commonly added to antibacterial soaps, deodorants, shower gels and toothpastes. It has been shown to cause contact dermatitis, skin irritation, and an increase in allergic reactions. One of the dangers of Triclosan is that long term exposure may contribute to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Some studies have also shown, that like other chemicals, exposure to Triclosan may disrupt hormone balance, specifically thyroid hormones. Learn more about Triclosan here, and avoid products that are labelled “antibacterial” or “odor-fighting.”
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
SLES and SLS are popular ingredients in personal care products, especially in shampoos and facial cleansers, because of their ability to create a lather or foam. This effect is appealing to consumers because it creates the illusion of maximum cleanliness (and it’s pretty satisfying to get a nice lather when shampooing your hair). While sulfates are quite controversial, there is little evidence that they’re harmful to our health; however, there is strong evidence that they can cause skin irritation, rashes, dandruff, and hair breakage. For people with sensitive skin, sulfates may also clog pores and cause acne. Because of unknown side effects and potential for skin irritation, we recommend you avoid these ingredients.
Benzalkonium Chloride
Benzalkonium chloride is a well-recognized skin irritant but is unfortunately found in many skin care products, such as face lotions, cleansers, makeup and sunscreens. It is used primarily as a detergent, to help water mix with oil, and as a preservative because of its antimicrobial properties against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Exposure can lead to eye and skin irritation but long term effects from repeated exposure may cause contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis. If you have sensitive skin or want to avoid the risk of irritation, we recommend you avoid this ingredient.

Now that you have a list of ingredients to avoid, make sure to check the labels and read the ingredients list before choosing your next skin care product. We strongly believe in the statement that “what we put on our skin is just as important as what we put in our bodies,” and clean skin care is just as important as a clean diet!