Just like we should read the ingredients on the labels of the food we put in our body, we should be double checking the ingredients of the products we are putting on our body.
Skin makes up one seventh of a person’s body weight. It is the largest organ in our body, both by weight and surface area. It’s quite literally, what separates our internal organs from the external environment, —all the more reason to keep it nourished.
Just because a product looks pretty, doesn’t mean it’s good for you. It’s what’s on the inside (the ingredients within the product) that counts.
So, let’s find out what these ingredients are and why they’re bad for us, before we start boycotting them.
Here are five of the most important ingredients to avoid in your skincare routine.
Phthalates
Ingredients “DBP, DEHP, and DEP” are phthalate chemicals which were developed to make plastic more durable (A.K.A: not good for human skin). In simpler terms, these additives help fragrances in skincare products stick to skin longer and make the product’s texture more flexible.
A 2020 research study indicated that phthalates could lead to: altered puberty, hormonal imbalance, increased risk for cancer, and increased risk of fertility issues in men and women.
Parabens
Parabens are considered one of the biggest “bad guys” in skin care. The most common types of parabens found in skincare products are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. Parabens are added to preserve the freshness and extend the shelf life of a skincare product.
According to a Cornell University Sprecher Institute for Comparative Cancer Research study on breast cancer, 19 out of 20 women studied had parabens in their breast tissue.
Dermatologist Dr. Ophelia Veraitch, says this is concerning because it shows that parabens in products don’t just sit on the skin, but can be integrated and remain in bodily tissues. It has also been speculated that parabens have the potential to increase risk of cancer. Additionally, parabens can cause skin irritation and allergies in the case of repeated exposure.
Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is an ingredient commonly found in sunscreen. It absorbs UVB radiation, which is responsible for sunburn. However, according to Dr. Dennis Gross, oxybenzone shows an absorption rate 188 times the safe level after the application—meaning too much chemical is getting absorbed into the skin, and ultimately ending up in the bloodstream.
Oxybenzone is a well-established endocrine disruptor, which, according to research done by the Journal of Endocrinology, can have serious impacts on fertility.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is found in many cosmetic products, especially in soaps, nail, and hair products. It is a chemical preservative that is used to prevent bacteria growth.
According to the American Cancer Society, formaldehyde is most hazardous to health in hair straightening treatments, such as the keratin treatment. Exposure to formaldehyde can cause asthma, neurotoxicity, developmental toxicity, along with general irritation to skin, eyes and lungs.
PEGS (polyethylene glycols)
PEGs are often found in creams, lotions, serums, and hair products because they can act as a humectant (skin moisturizer).
Although PEGs are classified as ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ (GRAS) by the FDA, the process of making PEGs can create toxic byproducts which have carcinogenic properties. These byproducts include Ethylene Oxide and 14-dioxane, which can contaminate the PEGs.
All in all, when we shop for products to put on our body, we need to be as mindful, if not more, mindful about the products we put in our body.
That’s why here at Izzy, we’re focused on clean beauty, in more than one way. Our products are not only harmless to the environment, but also nontoxic to your body.
Each time you purchase from Izzy, you are getting a product which is clean, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and free of gluten, GMOs, alcohol, oil, parabens, phthalates, silicone, and talc.
Instead, our products have natural ingredients like geranium oil and argan oil which moisturize, balance, and help combat the visible effects of irritation, inflammation and dryness, in our Zero Waste Dew Bomb Glowy Hydra-Milk.
Our promise: fantastic, sustainable beauty products without any of the bad guy ingredients.
Article Written by Morgan Wright