The skincare industry is a big one. We all want perfect, glowing skin, and we know that it’s achievable. But do we really know the ingredients on the back of some of our favorite labeled bottles?

Because I know I never used to understand a thing, but after a little research and some digging, I’ve found what’s actually in some of our favorite buys. And you’d be surprised! Some of these are harmless and may make your skin break out, but there are other, more dangerous things that could be building up on the surface of your skin. I’ve probably missed some ingredients out, so let me know in the comments if there’s anything else we should know about our beauty products…

It’s really hard to avoid these bad boys as they’re in pretty much every product from sheet masks to shampoo. And they should be at the top of your list for skin care ingredients to avoid! Parabens actually help your products last longer, and whilst this may be nice for getting more for your money, it’s not very good for your health. According to a study in 2015, parabens can speed up cancer cells. Parabens are linked to breast cancer and changes in your hormone balance, which can affect your fertility seriously. And if you see an ingredient called phenoxyethanol know that’s it the exact same thing!

If you’re looking for a product that’s really great for your skin but doesn’t contain Parabens then here are our paraben favorite paraben-free products:

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I was actually very surprised when I came across this one. I’ve loved using Retinol products and even everyone in the office is obsessed. Don’t avoid this one entirely, just limit your use to it.

It’s dangerous because it breaks down your skin that should not be exposed to the sun, which is why it’s recommended only to be used at night. As a result, skin is more sensitive and exposed. And it’s not recommended for women who are pregnant as it can damage DNA and accelerate the speed of skin tumors.

So, you won’t find this one easily on the back of your labels as it is classed as a contaminant and not an ingredient. But it’s one you should try and avoid because it’s a carcinogen. And it can also disrupt your hormone balance. Other than it is more commonly linked to depression, problems with pregnancy and birth defects.

It’s usually found is a lot of cosmetic products like eyeliner and lipsticks. The FDA tested lipsticks and found 100% of them contained lead traces. Considering 0 is the only acceptable amount of lead in products, this is one issue to educate yourself on – stat.

I was actually shopping in the stores in the body wash aisle and all I could see was ‘aluminium free’ on all of the packagings. And it got me to thinking, what’s wrong with aluminum?

You’ll find it in most body washes and deodorants. Its properties may help prevent you from sweating but it has a lot of speculation surrounding it. The amount of aluminum absorbed through the skin from antiperspirants is significantly less than average daily exposure from food and water. So most likely it’s safe, but brands are keen to avoid it after speculation about the negative effects it may carry. Here are our aluminum free favorites to keep you on the safe side:

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This one is definitely not as scary as the other. Shea butter is amazing for your skin and can be used after you shower or bathe. However, you should really avoid this if you suffer from oily skin. Shea butter can clog up your pores and will make your skin even oilier, so bear that in mind if you’re trying to achieve perfect skin.

The ingredient may sound dreamy and trick you into thinking it does wonders. But it can really have the same effect as the Shea butter. It’s great to include if your skin is thirsty AF, but can increase your oil levels if not. It has also been linked to skin irritation and even rashes in some cases. Do your research first and you’ll be good to go!

Did you know about any of these? Tell me below!

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