Ingredients To Avoid

Rather than tell you which products you should be using, (which I will never tell you too), I want to provide you with a list of ingredients to try to avoid. Whilst I've been told that the products designed for penetrating the outer layers of your skin can't reach your bloodstream, I still try and but products with a list of natural ingredients. One good indicator that a product isn't good for you is a lengthy list of ingredients that you can't pronounce. Keep in mind that all of these are necessarily bad. After all, even water is a chemical (H2o). Also keep in mind that just because something claims that it is 'natural', 'green' or 'organic' doesn't mean it's healthy - trading standards are sometimes lax on this rules and letting companies write this across their products. It could be a completely false claim. And sometimes things that are natural aren't necessarily good. Arsenic? Natural. 
   
Below are a list of ingredients I try my best to avoid, but this list is not comprehensive. You can research a lot of information on toxic ingredients on plenty of websites and blogs online. 

Fragrance

When it comes to skin care, I try to skip and products that contain a synthetic fragrance, this is linked to being carcinogenic. Whilst I want my hair to smell good, I don't need my skin too as well (Unless it comes from a natural smell in oil)

Phthalates

These commonly go by dibutyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, and diethyl phthalate and can be found in some skin products, hair sprays, and nail polishes. They're constantly on the trading standards watch list, and whilst not proven to be harmful in low doses, I try to avoid them when possible. Studies show that phthalates are hormone-disrupting and are one of the reasons girls are hitting puberty so young these days. 

Diethanolamine

This is used in cosmetics to create a foaming effect. Whist it is registered as safe, I try to skip cosmetics that contain DEA or DEA-related ingredients.

Coal-tar Colours & Dyes

These have been proven to be carcinogenic, and many are banned. Thise that are still in use pass safety tests and are marked as either FD&C or D&C. If the former, that means that the colour is safe to be consumes. If it's D&C it's only safe for topical application. According to guidelines, don not apply it on or near eyes/lips. 

Formaldehyde

I used to think only undertakers used this. Not true. Formaldehyde is frequently used in beauty products because it's an antibacterial and a preservative. But it's a known carcinogen so avoid it when possible. Some ingredients in mascara break down and become formaldehyde, which is why you should replace your mascara every few months. 

Aluminium

A common ingredient in deodorants as it plugs sweat ducts (niiice), aluminium has been known to be absorbed by the skin and behave like estrogen. 

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives to make products last longer. Parabens interfere with hormones and can be absorbed though the skin. 

*carcinogen - a substance that can cause cancer in tissue

DKH - Find Your Beauty