Skin Care Ingredients to Avoid For Healthy Skin

In the name of beauty, we will apply some of the most toxic ingredients to our skin during skin care regimens and may not realize the extent of dry skin and other damage that might result.

Reactions to skin care products depend on the condition of the skin and the immune system. Uninjured skin is an excellent barrier to most substances found in cosmetics and skin care products, but if the skin is overly dry or injured, it cannot adequately protect nerve endings and can lead to skin reactions.

"Exposure to irritants and chemicals in the everyday environment are the major causes of skin problems," according to Dr Lisa Benest, M.D. Burbank, Calif. "We live in a much more toxic environment today and our skin bears the brunt. We now understand how easily chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and in fact, is now becoming a common route for delivery of medication. Imagine the results of harmful chemicals absorbed into the skin."

By reading labels and being more vigilant, we can avoid exposure to most toxins. Some tips to ensure quality skin care products include:

• Avoid using cosmetics that require preservatives. Consider mineral-based powder cosmetics over liquid formulas. Powder cosmetics typically have very few preservatives or ingredients that can cause skin irritation. If you must use liquid foundations or cosmetics look for silicone-based ingredients as they are less irritating.

• Choose mild shampoos like baby shampoos that have fewer harmful ingredients and do not irritate the eyes. If a more aggressive cleansing is needed, make certain the shampoo you choose is pH-adjusted to minimize damage.

• Avoid fragrance additives. If a product is labeled unscented it may contain chemical fragrances that just mask other odors and is not necessarily without perfume. Choose products that say "fragrance free" or "without fragrance" to be safe.

• Periodically clean your brushes and sponges with a mild soap and consider replacing them annually to minimize exposure to the bacteria and germs that can be irritants.

• Less is more. The fewer the ingredients there are, the better the chances of reducing exposure to toxins. Look for 10 or less ingredients on labels in your cosmetic lineup.

• Recognize that non-chemical irritants exist, such as sun, wind, heat, cold or contact with wool fibers and take steps to protect against exposure using a good shielding lotion or minimize exposure when possible.

• Avoid artificial colorants particularly products with dark colors. Sticking to light natural colors usually contain less artificial ingredients and seems to be less irritating.

There are many ingredients available to the cosmetics industry and more than a thousand are known to have harmful effects. Some 900 others have been manufactured in such a way that they become contaminated with harmful ingredients. Talk with your doctor about which ingredients to avoid. Vigilance and using products with natural ingredients that are proven safe over time are your best tools for preventing exposure to the harmful effects of toxins that cause dry skin.

---
Author, Gloria MacTaggart, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skin care for The National Skin Care Institute. For more information, visit www.skincarenet.org.