In the world of cosmetics, long lists of ingredients and harmful substances are unfortunately indispensable. Fortunately, more and more people are becoming aware of what they put on their skin. Because your skin is your largest organ and deserves the best care. In this blog, I’ll help you decipher ingredient lists and show you which ingredients are best to avoid.
How Do You Read An Ingredient List?
Have you ever looked at the ingredients list of your skin and hair care products? Fortunately, we are becoming more and more aware of what we put on our skin. However, it can sometimes be difficult to decipher such a list. I am happy to help you with this:)
INCI List
Every manufacturer is obliged to indicate on cosmetics the ingredients of which the product is composed. To avoid ambiguity, the same names are used for ingredients in Europe. For this purpose, a list has been drawn up with thousands of names: the INCI list (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients). The most common ingredient is at the beginning of the list. The product at the very bottom is the least common.
Unfortunately, many products contain ingredients that are harmful to your skin, your body, or the environment. You want to avoid these ingredients.
Harmful ingredients in cosmetics
1. Alcohol
Alcohol can dry out and irritate the skin. You can find it in many cosmetic products. However, not all alcohols are bad for the skin. Cetyl alcohol, for example, is a fatty alcohol and retains moisture in the skin. Other good alcohols include cetearyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, and behenyl alcohol.
To avoid:
- Denatured alcohol/ Alcohol Denat
- Ethanol
- Ethyl alcohol
- Benzyl alcohol
- Isopropyl alcohol
2. Aluminum
This toxic metal is widely used in deodorants. It imitates estrogen in our system and has an endocrine disrupting effect.
On the ingredients list as:
- Aluminium
- Aluminum Chlorohydrate
- Alum
- Potassium alum
3. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
This ingredient is often found in ‘natural’ personal care products as a substitute for SLS and SLES. Despite being a milder variant, ALS causes skin irritation.
4. Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) / Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
These antioxidants have been linked to cancer, hormone imbalance, and skin irritation. You can find them in hair products, sunscreens and lipsticks, among other things.
5. Benzalkonium chloride
This disinfectant can be found in personal care products such as deodorant and moisturizers. It is associated with allergies and severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritations.
6. Coal Tar
This by-product of coal processing can be found in hair dyes and anti-dandruff shampoos. Coal tar is known to be carcinogenic and cause skin allergies.
7. Ethanolamines
These substances are surfactants and pH regulators. They are often associated with allergies, skin toxicity, and hormone disruption.
On the ingredients list as:
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
- Acetamide MEA
- Cocamide DEA
- Lauramide DEA
8. Ethylenediamine Tetra Acetate (EDTA)
EDTA allows other chemicals to better penetrate your skin barrier, allowing harmful ingredients to bypass and irritate the skin’s natural protection.
9. Phthalates
These substances are used to stabilize fragrance in perfume and color in cosmetics. They are associated with an increased risk of cancer and fertility problems.
On the ingredients list as:
- Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
- Di-isononyl phthalate (DINP)
- Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
10. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is used as a preservative and can cause asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity. It is irritating to the skin, eyes and lungs.
On the ingredients list as:
- Benzylhemiformal
- Formaldehyde
- Methenamine
11. Homosalate
Homosalate is a UV filter that disrupts hormones and can cause skin reactions.
12. Artificial Colors
Artificial dyes are synthetic dyes based on coal tar, an allergen that contains many toxic substances.
On the ingredients list as:
- FD
- FDC
- FD&C colour
13. Methylisothiazolinone
This preservative stops bacteria and fungi, but causes skin irritation.
14. Mineral Oils
These oils are produced during the processing of petroleum. They are often used in lip care products and baby products. Mineral oils seal the skin, which can cause skin problems.
On the ingredients list as:
- Mineral oil
- Paraffinum (liquidum)
- Paraffin (wax)
- Petrolatum (petroleum jelly)
- Petroleum oil
15. Octinoxate
Octinoxate is a UV filter that disrupts hormones and can cause allergic reactions.
16. Oxybenzone
This popular UV filter can cause skin irritations and hormone disruption.
On the ingredients list as:
- Oxybenzone
- Benzpenone-3
17. Parabens
Parabens are preservatives that can disrupt hormones. They can be identified by names ending in “paraben”.
On the ingredients list as:
- Isobutylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Methylparaben
18. Paraffin Wax
Paraffin is derived from petroleum and is often found in lotions, face creams, lip balms, and hair styling products. It can cause irritation, contact dermatitis, and collagen breakdown.
19. PEG (Polyethylene Glycol)
PEG is used as an emulsifier and comes from petroleum. It may contain contaminants that are harmful to health and is not biodegradable.
On the ingredients list as:
- PEG followed by a number
- Laureth Sulfate
- COCETH-7
- Myreth-10
- Myreth-3 laurate
- myreth sulfate
- Isosteareth-200 palmitate
- Almondeth-20
20. Phenoxyethanol
This preservative can cause skin allergies and damage to the nervous system.
21. Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol is used to bind moisture and allow the active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin. It can damage the skin’s natural barrier and cause allergies or irritations.
22. Perfume
Perfume in cosmetics can cause irritation, hypersensitivity and other skin problems. Rather choose products with natural perfumes.
On the ingredients list as:
- Fragrance
- Perfume
23. Silicone / Siloxanes
Silicones make a product feel soft on the skin, but seal the skin and negatively affect the immune system. They are also harmful to the environment.
On the ingredients list as:
- Cetearyl Methicone
- Cyclomethicone
- Cyclopentasiloxane
- Dimethicone
- Dimethicone Stearyl
- Dimethiconol
- Phenyl Trimethicone
- Trimethylsilylamodimethicone
24. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
SLS is a surfactant that causes a product to foam, but it cleanses so well that it also strips away the skin’s natural oils, which can cause dry and irritated skin. Subsequently, your scalp will compensate for the dryness by producing more sebum and therefore your hair will become greasy faster. Also, the molecules of SLS are small enough to penetrate the hair shaft and damage the hair from the inside out. This can even lead to hair loss.
25. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
SLES is a slightly milder variant of SLS, but can also cause skin and eye irritation. Production can release ethylene oxide, a carcinogen.
26. Talc
Talcum powder is often used in mineral makeup and absorbs moisture and grease. It can be contaminated with asbestos fibers, which is irritating to the lungs and carcinogenic.
27. Triclosan / Triclocarban
These antimicrobials kill both bad and good bacteria, which disrupts the skin’s balance. They are associated with various health problems.
On the ingredients list as:
- 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol
- Trichloro-2-hydroxy-diphenyl ether
- Trichlorocarbanilide
28. Toluene
Toluene comes from crude oil and is used in nail polish and hair dye. It can be irritating to the skin and respiratory tract and can affect the immune system.
29. Urea
Urea is a preservative that can cause allergies and is often contaminated with formaldehyde.
30. Microplastics
These are added plastic particles with a diameter of 5mm or smaller. These are added to exfoliate the skin or brush your teeth clean. There are also microplastics in deodorant, sunscreen, make-up and shampoo. It is difficult to tell from the label whether there are microplastics in the product. Sometimes there is “poly” in front of a fabric, but not always. We are working on a European directive that will better regulate this. Until then, you can download the Plastic Soup Foundation’s Beat the Microbeat app. You then take a picture of the ingredient list and the app shows within a few seconds whether there are microplastics in your product.
Healthy Skin Care
Fortunately, there are also plenty of natural and safe alternatives to the above ingredients. Products using organic oils, plant extracts, and natural preservatives. Under the category of care products , I have carefully selected all products for you that meet these conditions. These are products that I also use for myself and my family. By consciously choosing healthier products, you contribute to healthier skin care and less impact on the environment.
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