We use a variety of skincare and hair care products everyday, from cleansers, toners and serums to sunscreens, shampoos and conditioners. But have you stopped to check the ingredients list of any of these and wondered what effect each of these have on your skin or body? Well, we are here to help you pick clean skincare products without any of the toxic harmful chemicals for skin which may cause damage to our body in the long term, or have other side effects. Here is a guide on the ingredients to avoid in skincare and why.
Why You Should Be Aware Of Ingredients In Skin & Hair Care Products
Toxic ingredients are hidden quietly into the ingredients list of your favourite skincare products, but coming to reality with them is important. You may feel like a particular product is showing results, but ignoring certain toxic ingredients is not the right way to achieve clean and effective skincare. There is also evidence to support that various chemical ingredients used in skin and hair care products can be harmful to our health. Harmful ingredients in skincare or ingredients to avoid in shampoo include sulphates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, synthetic colours, fragrance, dyes, polyethylene glycol and more. You can develop a habit of checking the ingredients list to find the culprit!
List Of Harmful ingredients Commonly Used In Skin & Hair Care Products
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Parabens:
Parabens are a popular and common preservative in a number of skincare products, including sunscreens, moisturisers and various household cleaning products, they are seen everywhere. Thankfully, due to their popularity, people have understood to avoid them and paraben free products are easy to find nowadays.
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Sulphates(SLS):
Cleansing products like shampoos, face cleansers and soaps tend to have sulphates very commonly and these harsh chemicals are responsible for several allergic and inflammatory reactions, along with stripping all the natural oils from the skin. They are one of the most harmful chemicals for hair.
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Silicones:
Silicones, derived from silica, have been used in a number of skincare products because of their ability to make the sin appear healthier and form a barrier of unique texture on the skin surface. However, they undergo a lot of processing and are responsible for acne, occluding pores, allergic reactions and other side effects. Dimethicone and cyclomethicone are commonly found silicones or harmful ingredients in skincare products.
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Polyethylene glycol:
Polyethylene glycols or PEGs cause increased absorption of ingredients into the skin, even harmful ones. Also they contain various impurities that may be carcinogenic or irritating.
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Synthetic Colours & Dyes:
Artificial colours or dyes when absorbed into the skin can become harmful and are the ingredients to avoid in hair care products and skincare products. The colours used for dyeing your hair can contain synthetic dyes, which is why you should check them thoroughly.
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Alcohol:
Alcohol is a drying ingredient and long term use of skincare products with the top ingredient as alcohol is associated with skin problems and irritation.
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Phthalates:
These are harmful chemicals in shampoo and other products and tend to affect the texture of the product to make it easily applicable. However, it is known as a hormone disruptor and potential carcinogen.
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Triclosan:
This is a harmful ingredient found in various artificially produced soaps, toothpastes and deodorants. Although it is an antibacterial agent, it causes disruption of your hormonal cycle and may lead to skin irritation. It is also considered as a threat to the environment and aquatic life due to slow breakdown.
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Formaldehyde:
This is often used as a preservative in skin care products to enhance their shelf life. However, it can cause hair loss, skin irritation, scalp burns and even neurotoxicity.
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Hydroquinone:
This is a skin lightening agent used to artificially make the skin lighter and is added to various creams and skincare products. But it is a known carcinogen and it works by reducing melanocytes, which can be harmful if used for a longer time.
Potential Risks Associated With Using Products Containing Toxic Ingredients
The above ingredients found in skin and hair care products are an absolute no-no for daily use because of their proven potential risks on the body. For example, sulphates are used in a variety of cosmetic and skincare products but are associated with disrupting the endocrine system and causing hormonal changes especially in women. Parabens are highly toxic and can harm the fertility, cause irritation and may lead to cancer. Phthalates are industrial chemicals and can cause damage to your lungs, kidneys and reproductive system, each of these toxic and harmful ingredients for skin should be thoroughly avoided by checking the ingredients list on your products.
Make Wise Choices For Healthy Skin & Hair
The above risks and potential health disrupting effects of toxic ingredients only urge us to promote natural skincare and use organic, pure and naturally derived ingredients in all your skincare and hair care products. Not only are these safe for your skin, but ancient ayurveda has proven them to be effective for various skin and hair concerns as well. Earthraga is a natural skincare brand that promotes clean beauty and offers vegan, organic, no nasties and paraben and sulphate free skin and hair care products for your benefit. You can trust this brand with your daily skincare routine and obtain healthy, radiant skin with the use of all-natural products.
FAQ -
1. Which are the major ingredients harmful for skin?
Sulphates, parabens, phthalates, silicones and polyethylene glycol are some of the major harmful ingredients in skincare.
2. Which chemicals are harmful for hair?
Sulphates and parabens are most harmful and found commonly in hair products.
3. What do these chemicals do to our skin & hair?
These chemicals may strip off the natural oils in our skin and scalp, making it more dry and prone to infection. They are also associated with potential cancer, risks of endocrine imbalance and irritation.
4. Which ingredients should we avoid in shampoo?
Sulphates, phthalates and parabens are harmful chemicals in shampoo.
