10 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Your Skincare

Do you ever wonder what’s in your skincare or your makeup? Do you ever check the ingredient list on your skincare package before your purchase it? It’s not a forethought to most people, but it definitely should be. There are many toxic ingredients that are common amongst our skincare, but we should start being more cautious about which of those products we use. I’ve provided a list of 10 toxic ingredients you should be aware of and do your best to avoid in your skincare!

1. Fragrance

Fragrance can be found in almost any skincare! Anything with a heavy scent will typically be from fragrance ingredients. It can also be noted as ‘perfume’ on the ingredient list. It may cause your skincare to smell really good, but it can trigger allergies, and can cause hormone disruption.



2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate / Sodium Laureth Sulfate

These ingredients are mostly common in your body wash, shampoo, bubble bath, face wash, and more! These two ingredients, or anything with the same type of variant are known to cause skin irritation, and has been linked to acne.

3. Parabens

Almost every type of skincare can have parabens, and research shows that about 75% to 90% of cosmetic contains it. They may play a role in causing cancer, as they have been linked to breast cancer. Look for any ingredient with the suffix “paraben”, or search for a lable that states it’s “paraben free”.

4. Retinyl Palmitate

Retinol is most commonly found in anti-aging products, but can also be found in sunscreen, self tanners, and other skincare products. However, when exposed to sunlight, it can have the opposite effect on your skin. It can also increase your risk to skin cancer when it is exposed in the sun. If you still choose to use retinol in your skincare, use it at night.

5. Formaldehyde

This is commonly used in nail products, however it can be found in body wash and bubble bath. It’s an ingredient banned by Europe as it’s a known carcinogen, and has been shown to cause allergies, headaches, and other side effects.

6. Polyethylene

Polyethylene is a plastic you can find in many different skincare and makeup brands. It always ends up in landfills and take years to degrade, so oftentimes it will end up being consumed by fish. It is very abrasive and can cause skin irritation and should never be used on broken skin.

7. Phthalates

This ingredient is know to be in lotions, lipsticks, hair products, and others. It’s very dangerous for children and cause birth defects, however you should avoid this ingredient altogether. It’s suspected to be a carcinogen as well.

8. Lead

You’ve probably already heard the dangers of lead in products, but it can be found in cosmetics like lipsticks. It is a known carcinogen and hormone disrupter. The ingredient will not be listed, as it’s a contaminant detected in products.

9. Oxybenzone

SPF is important, however oxybenzone can be found in sunscreen. It’s labeled as a chemical sunscreen agent, but although it protects from the sun, there are some side effects. It is seen to be similar to hormonal estrogen, and may be linked to breast cancer. It may also disrupt the hormone system.

10. Petroleum Distillates

Typically found in mascara and is often contaminated with cancer-causing properties. Products of petroleum distillates include motor oil, jet fuel, and tar.

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