If you check the food labels diligently before making a purchase, then it’s time you do the same with your skincare products. We think you would be a lot more cautious if you found out that there were so many chemicals in your skincare products that cause everything from hormonal disruptions to cancer. 

If you want to switch to safer skincare but don’t know what ingredients to avoid, we are here to help you. Here is a list of all the ingredients to avoid in your skincare products for flawless, problem-free skin.

 

Parabens

Parabens

Parabens are common form of preservatives to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast in cosmetic products. But parabens are known to cause breast cancer because of the estrogen-mimicking properties.

 

Fragrance

Fragrance

All of us love our floral scented lotions and body washes, but the fragrances represent hundreds of chemicals that are prone to causing allergies, asthma attacks, headaches and more. Added fragrances in cleansers tend to be irritating and can dry out the skin, hence it best to avoid anything overly perfume-y or scented.

 

Sodium lauryl sulphate

Sodium lauryl sulphate

If your skin feels tight, tingly and squeaky clean after using your favourite face wash, then it is because it contains a large amount of sodium lauryl sulphate, which is a foaming ingredient. But this squeaky clean feeling isn't really all that great and strips your skin of natural oils.

 

Oils

Oils

Most of the skincare products contain some amount of oil as a moisturising ingredient. While oil does indeed add moisture, certain types can clog pores leading to breakouts. Unless you have severely dry skin, using oil-free products is a safer option. Avoid buying products with propylene glycol, paraffin, and mineral oil as they are particularly harmful.

 

Alcohol

Alcohol

Often used as a base ingredient in many skincare products, alcohol severely dries the skin making it prone to inflammation. It also breaks down the skin’s natural barrier and makes it more susceptible to damage.