If you are interested in natural beauty products you’ll no doubt have a keen interest in the ingredients that go into your body washes and haircare products. If you have skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, sensitive skin then it is even more important to know what your products contain and to stay away from those skin irritants.
Here’s what ingredients to avoid:
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) – A foaming agent and known skin irritant used in shampoos, shower gels and toothpaste. Repeated exposure can lead to skin sensitisation, dry itchy skin or scalp ucers.
Phthalates – A plasticiser used in cosmetics and plastic packaging to stop them becoming hard and rigid. It can affect hormone levels and cause female traits in male animals. It’s also linked to allergies in children.
Petrochemicals – Including petroleum jelly, paraffin wax and silicones, these are used in skin and hair care products. They are drying and pore-clogging.
Parabens – Antibacterial and antifungal preservatives which can mimic the hormone oestrogen.
Synthetic colours – The most common ones are azo-dyes and these can be strongly irritating to the skin, especially the eyelids, lips and mucous membranes.
Synthetic fragrances – The most common cause of all skin reactions and sensitivities.
Alcohol & isopropyl alcohol – These can dry and irritate the skin, stripping it of natural moisture content.
Propylene Glycol & Butylene Glycol – These are petroleum plastics that can penetrate the skin and weaken protein and cellular structure.
DMDM and Urea – These preservatives can release formaldehyde ( a known carcinogen) into the body)
I hope this helps – have a look at our site about ingredients and what they mean at www.pureandgentle.com
Lisa
I have always had hyper-sensitive skin, particularly on my face, resulting in areas of itchy, dry eczema which now has been diagnosed as Rosacea along with the eczema. Also a close family member was diagnosed with a Maligant Melanoma skin cancer in 2007 forcing the whole family to become more aware of the effects the sun can have on our skin and how chemotherapy and other cancer treatments has such an effect on your skin too. I have subsequently spent time investigating the sun screen market to not only provide the right protection, but won’t cause skin irritation along with moisturisers and other products for after and during cancer treatment. I am not a medic; I am a mum with many years’ experience of having to deal with skin problems and www.pureandgentle.com was started because of this to find non- irritant products, research and information all in one place. I have found small tricks that can help along the way which I can share with you and hopefully relieve some of your problems with your skin.
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