Remember the simpler times? You know, when meeting a friend for a coffee meant actually having a conversation face to face, not with an iPhone in your face.
Or, when you wanted to learn about something, you had to make your way down to the local library instead of typing in a phrase in Google. Those were the days, weren’t they!
It’s easy to feel down when thinking about life pre-internet, but there is a major upside to this modern age we live in now. With everything just a click away, more and more people are becoming informed of the importance of using natural, non-toxic ingredients. Of course, we wish there were no toxins, to begin with!
The first step is becoming aware so you can make the switch to products that will truly be healthy for your skin while protecting you and your loved ones’ health. In this article, we’ll talk about just five of the 8 Most Harmful Skincare Ingredients to Avoid & Why. Next week, we’ll reveal the last three.
1. Polysorbate 20
This is a sugar alcohol used as an emulsifier in cosmetics in order to mix water and oil together. Sounds harmless, right? Unfortunately, because it’s treated with 20 parts of ethylene oxide (hence the name), it has the potential to cause skin irritations in low doses and possible reproductive toxicity in high doses (as has been observed in animal studies).
2. Phenoxyethanol
You’ve likely heard of this ingredient before as many “natural” skin care companies are using this as a preservative in place of parabens to preserve their products. While Phenoxyethanol is certainly not as harmful as parabens, it still has carcinogenic properties in high doses. According to a 2013 FDA consumer warning, Phenoxyethanol “can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea."
3. Dimethicone
This is a type of silicone often found in products like moisturizers and primers. It helps to fill in lines and leave the skin silky soft. The bad news is that silicones are not great for your skin. They clog pores, trap dirt and bacteria, and increase your risk of breakouts. As long as you’re using all natural, antioxidant-rich skincare products, you won’t need silicones to cover up imperfections-your skin will be naturally clear and radiant!
4. Alcohol
Whenever you see alcohol in a product, it’s best to avoid it. Alcohol is very drying for the skin, which can especially be a problem for those with dry and oily complexions. Dry skin will have an increased risk of aging, while oily skin may break out even worse since the skin tries to over-compensate for the lack of oil.
5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfates
We all love a foamy lather when shampooing our hair or cleansing our skin, but not at the expense of our health! Sulfates are the cause of that foamy lather, which may be contaminated with a chemical called 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen, meaning it can increase the risk of cancer. Sulfates may appear as different names on a label, such as sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate.
Just look for the word “sulfate” and if it’s there, don’t buy!
How Do I Find Safe Alternatives?
At Peak Scents, we are a truly natural skincare company. Our products are lovingly formulated in small batches, unlike large companies that produce in bulk and fill their products with synthetic preservatives to extend the shelf life for 5 to 10 years! This may be beneficial for them, but it’s certainly not beneficial for your skin.
Show your skin the love it deserves, and invest in products with real ingredients so you can feel confident in your skin and know that you aren’t putting your health at risk.
Shop Peak Scents Skincare Range Now
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