Thursday, January 15, 2009

Chemicals to Avoid in your Skincare Products

By Marilyn Etzel

There are so many skincare products on the market that it is hard to choose which ones to use. They all claim that they will beautify our skin but only using them will show us if they are right for us, right? Before you try every skincare product on the market, here is a list of chemicals that you should try to avoid in your skincare products.

1. Alcohols"Alcohol is a drying agent. If you have dry skin, alcohol will make your skin feel even drier. Alcohols go by many names so look closely at the label for words ending in -ol. Drying agents will further strip your skin and hair of necessary moisture.

2. Parabens"These substances are found in many beauty and skincare products. It is not a substance that people take the time to recognize but people do have allergies to them. the substance itself is added for shelf life-to avoid growth of bacteria in the product. With so many ingredients you wouldnt know if you were sensitive to parabens necessarily so try to stay away from them anyway.

3. Perfumes"Companies work hard to produce a new scent that people will like. Even though you may like the smell, it can cause skin irritations or allergies if the right chemicals are mixed together. A rule of thumb is to avoid skincare products that are scented. Look for words like hypoallergenic when buying skincare products.

4. Phthalates"Look at the ingredient list on your lotions and soaps the next time you are in the store. If you see the word phthalate (pronounced thal-ate), put it back. These chemicals have a poor reputation and if they are harmful to animals.

5. Dyes"Some of the dyes that give the products their color are also harsh to the skin. If your skin is oily or well moisturized you may not notice it but for those with skin conditions these dyes can leave you itchy and red.

It is important to read the label on all skincare products. Most people dont know that skincare products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They are on their honor to provide a safe product to the consumer. Many consumer watchdog groups keep a lookout for harmful products and get the word out in print or on the Internet.

The next time you shop for skincare items, read the label carefully. This goes for all natural products as well. Eliminate as many of the above chemicals as possible from your products as possible. If the good substances are listed at the bottom of the ingredient list, chances are there are only trace amounts in the product and not enough to be of any benefit - 15438

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