Disclaimer: Some links in this article may be affiliate links. It means that if you click on the link and end up purchasing any product, the seller will pay me a small commission so I can continue with my channel. There are no extra charges for buyers such as yourself. Thank you for supporting my blog!
Why Go Clean?
Switching to clean beauty products isn’t just a trend—it’s a game changer for your health. Harmful ingredients in everyday products can mess with your skin, hormones, and overall well-being. Did you know the average woman uses 164 harmful ingredients daily? And if you are a makeup wearer you are probably consuming about 2 kg of lipstick over 10 years! So let’s make sure whatever we absorb through our skin, lips, and eyes and breathe in (like setting powders and sprays) are not toxic for us!
How to Read Ingredient Lists:
- Check the First 5 Ingredients: These comprise most of the product.
- Look for Red Flags: Avoid anything you can’t pronounce.
- Use a Cheat Sheet: Have a list of harmful ingredients handy (we’ve got you covered below).
Ingredients to Avoid (and Why):
- Parabens: Linked to hormone disruptions and breast cancer.
- Sulfates: Can strip your skin of natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.
- Phthalates: Harmful to the endocrine system and can affect reproductive health.
- Formaldehyde: Carcinogenic risks and can cause allergic skin reactions.
- Synthetic Fragrances: Often contain hidden chemicals that can trigger allergies and skin irritation.
- PEGs: Can be contaminated with harmful impurities like 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen.
- Alcohols: Dry out your skin and can irritate, especially for sensitive skin types.
- Phenoxyethanol: Potentially toxic, can affect the nervous system, and may cause skin irritation.
- Seed Oils: With sun exposure, seed oils can oxidize, causing lipolysis, breaking down fats and leading to dark spots and other skin issues. Saturated fats, such as tallow, are more stable and safe to use for our food and cosmetics.
- Fragrance: Usually contains undisclosed synthetic chemicals that can cause skin irritation and disrupt hormones.