Top 5 toxic ingredients in beauty products

Personal care is a very diverse industry: there are lots of brands, product types, with all sorts of benefits for your hair, skin, body, etc. But unfortunately many of them contain harmful substances, that can irritate your skin or damage your health. This is one of the main reason I chose to go “homemade style” and make as much as I can from the products at home.
But there are still some products that I buy from store and I am sure you do to, so I’ve put together a list of 5 toxic ingredients in beauty products that you should avoid as they are some of the most harmful. So read the label and avoid buying products that contains one of the following:

  1. Parabens – you can find this synthetic preservative especially in shower gels, shampoos, hair conditioner or cleansing lotions. If you see in the ingredients list one of the followings : butyl-, propylparaben, ethyl- or methyl- avoid that product as it unbalances the normal functioning of hormones.
  2. Nanoparticles – you can find them usually in sunscreen and anti-aging products and they are used because because they have a high power of penetration of the skin. This particles can be found in cloths or cars.
  3. Phthalates - you can find them especially in nail polish but not only as they are used in most of beauty/care products. Unfortunately they are not listed in the ingredients list and are hidden behind “perfume” as its formula is a secret one. You should try to avoid the ones that contain “dibutyl phthalat” or “toluene”. The studies have shown that there is a link between the phthalates and depression, as well as  birth defects. So pregnant women should avoid using nail polish (only the ones based on water).
  4. Sodium Lauryl (SLS) – it is used especially in products for baby care. It is a synthetic detergent that may cause skin and eyes irritation.
  5. Synthetic perfumes – this is a code for more then 200 chemical ingredients hidden by the manufacturers. To be safe you should buy only the products on which label is specified that is used a”natural aroma of essential oil” or “no synthetic perfumes or aromas used”.

I hope you find this helpful and will be more attentive next time you buy beauty/skin care products.

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