Finding skincare products that are as clean and free of toxic ingredients as possible is the way to go. Some ingredients aren’t just irritating — they can actually “disrupt your hormones” and potentially put you at risk for illnesses and hormonal imbalances. Even if the risk of that happening is low, why take any risk at all in pursuit of beautiful, healthy skin? There are far too many products on the market that are free of harmful and “toxic” chemicals — which means there’s no excuse to continue using any skincare line or product that contains these six ingredients.
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1. Oxybenzone
Sunscreen is the most important skincare product you can wear each day to prevent damage from UV light that includes fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. But that doesn’t mean that all sunscreens and makeup that contains SPF are created equal. Some chemical sunscreen formulas can contain oxybenzone, which can “mimic estrogen and throw off your hormonal balance.”
2. Triclosan
Triclosan is an “antimicrobial that can interfere with your thyroid hormones and disrupt your endocrine system.” In 2016, the U.S. FDA banned the use of triclosan in over-the-counter antibacterial soaps, but it can still be found in certain products like shaving cream and cleansers.
3. Synthetic Fragrances
Not only are synthetic fragrances one of the most irritating ingredients in skincare, but they “often contain hidden phthalates and other chemicals that mess with your hormones.” If you have sensitive skin, this is a definite no-no, but even if your skin doesn’t easily irritate it’s a really good idea to skip heavily fragranced products.
4. BHA and BHT
These preservatives “disrupt hormones and impact your liver and thyroid over time.” They’re used to help prolong the shelf life of products and are mostly commonly found in moisturizers, lotions, sunscreens, and lip balms. They got by the longer names Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene.
5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
SLS’s are what give products like facial soaps and shampoos their sudsy quality that we associate with cleanliness. But they’ve also been associated with skin irritation and may disrupt your hormones. Sulfate-free formulas are available and labels will often boast about this.
6. Dimethicone (Silicone)
Several makeup and skincare products contain silicone because the ingredient provides a smoothy and silky finish, making it a popular additive for conditioner, hair masks, and foundations. This ingredient “can trap dirt and oil, clogging your pores and stopping your skin from breathing properly.”
