5 Harmful Ingredients to Avoid in Cosmetic Products

When it comes to cosmetic products, keeping track of their ingredients can feel like a minefield. Not only is it important to keep track of the ingredients that work for you and your body and achieve the desired results, but also the ingredients that can potentially cause harm to us or our families.

But with long, complicated ingredient names and misleading labels, finding truly safe cosmetic products can seem harder than ever. That’s why we’ve made this list of 5 commonly found ingredients that can be harmful to its user and the environment. Avoiding these ingredients and sticking exclusively to natural cosmetics will not only help you perfect your beauty routine but keep you and your loved ones safe from their potentially harmful effects.

1. Parabens

Parabens are one of the most commonly found cosmetic ingredients in the world, most commonly being used as a preservative. Unfortunately, they are endocrine disruptors, meaning that they are chemicals that can interfere with our body’s endocrine system and negatively impact our developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune systems.

Be on the lookout for ingredients like polyparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben next time you’re buying any cosmetic products such as fragrances.

2. Petroleum jelly

Often used as a moisturising agent, petroleum jelly is widely used in many lotions and skincare products. When properly refined, petroleum jelly is believed to carry no health risks. However, it’s common for petroleum jelly to not be refined properly, potentially creating PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).

PAHs are chemical compounds that have been classified as human carcinogens, and can potentially lead to reduced lung function, cardiovascular diseases, skin, lung and bladder cancer and more. To avoid exposing yourself to PAHs, stay away from products that have ingredients such as white mineral oil and soft paraffin.

3. Phthalates

Phthalates are found in countless cosmetic products, ranging from nail polish to fragranced lotions. The most commonly used phthalate is diethyl phthalate (DEP), which is used as a solvent and fixative in fragranced products.

Phthalates have been linked to various cancers, endocrine disruption and developmental and reproductive issues. As we mentioned above, DEP is the number one ingredient to look out for, but also be wary of DBP, DMP and DEHP.

4. Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colourless gas with a strong odour, often used in building materials and household products. A known carcinogen, this chemical is also commonly used in cosmetics as a preservative. Many products may not actually contain formaldehyde itself, but instead contain formaldehyde-releasing substances.

As a carcinogen, it’s capable of causing a range of cancers. It also has been known to cause allergic reactions and skin irritations in many consumers. Avoid products containing ingredients such as DMDM hydantoin, Diazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15 and hydroxymethylglycinate.

5. Fragrance

Fragrance is found in almost every product you can find today, from cleansers to detergents. Fragrance is an umbrella term that can refer to up to 100 chemical ingredients that make a scent. The dangerous thing about fragrance is that no one knows what it contains, and their unknown additives could contain carcinogens, neurotoxins, endocrine disruptors and more.

To avoid fragrance, be wary of products containing labelling that says eau de toilette, perfume, essential oil blend, aroma or fragrance.

While keeping track of all these ingredients to avoid may seem overwhelming, we’re glad to say that there are plenty of brands that provide safe, effective products with 100% natural ingredients. Make the switch today and help make dangerous, harmful toxins and chemicals a thing of the past.

Also read: 5 Tips for Healthy Skin