How many of these harmful ingredients are lurking in your favorite products?
(Let’s not forget the long history oflead being used in the cosmetic industry.)
It can be difficult to navigate and decipher the long list of ingredients on most beauty product labels.
“After four applications, absorption increased 500 times the safe level.
Gross recommends opting for mineral sunscreen, which sits on the surface of the skin and isn’t absorbed.
The active ingredients in these safe sunscreens are zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
Methylisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinoneis a preservative found most often in water-based products like shampoos and cleansers.
“Those withsensitive skinshould avoid this ingredient altogether, especially when it comes to leave-on products.”
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfateis a very common cleansing agent.
“It frequently causes irritation and can also elicit an allergic response in the skin.
“She suggests looking for products that have fatty alcohols instead.
“Castile-based soaps or cleansers are good alternatives,” she saysa greatbody washto try is Seven Minerals.
They can cause contact allergies in a relatively high number of people, according to Dr. Hayag.
“Different acrylates are also associated with different concerns, including possibly being carcinogenic,” she says.
According to Dr. Jaliman, parabens are particularly common in makeup and moisturizers.
Toluene
Tolueneis a chemical commonly found in nail polish and hair dyes.
Phthalates
Used in cosmetics, primarily in fragrances, phthalates can also be found in skincare products.
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