Under One Roof Project

Posts Tagged ‘Dry Skin’

What are the 7 worst ingredients in skin care products? They’re ingredients you should always avoid, either because they’re harmful to your skin in the long run – or worse, strongly suspected of being dangerous.

First a confession: It’s hard to make a legitimate “7 Worst” list. There are a lot more than 7 bad ingredients. And exactly how do you measure the worst? Put a panel of seven top scientists together, and they’d probably have seven different opinions. It reminds me of those “Top 10 skin care” lists you often see, especially at the beginning of a new year. I never believe those “Top 10″ lists. I think they’re mostly fiction, created to help sell product for whoever makes up the list.

The difference is this: My 7 Worst Ingredients list includes facts (not just my opinion) on why they’re included. And hey, if I manage to leave out a real loser, let me know. I promise to add to my list.

So here goes:

1. Petroleum jelly. No, it’s not a terrible hazard. I include it because it’s so common, it’s got so many names for basically the same chemical, and it worsens the main problem that people use it for – dry skin. It’s also called petrolatum, mineral oil, liquid paraffin and paraffin wax. It’s a petroleum byproduct that coats the skin to keep in moisture. It clogs the pores and strips the natural oils from your skin (causing chapping and dryness, making your skin dependent on more, always more).

2. Fragrance. Two problems. First, it can mean so many things; the term “fragrance” can refer to 4,000 separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic. Second, if you like some fragrance, please, please, use a little perfume or body spray – much safer than rubbing these unknown and potentially dangerous chemicals into your skin.

3. Triclosan: Antibacterial, widely used in skincare products and deodorants (also weed killers). Triclosan has been found in public water supplies and may contribute to creating strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, due to its wide use in skincare products.

4. Polyethylene glycol (PEG). Widely used emulsifier (keeps incompatible liquids in suspension) and humectant (moisturizer). Suspected of interfering with reproductive hormones and of being carcinogenic.

5. Parabens. Mostly listed as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and ethylparaben – all preservatives in skincare products (including moisturizers). May cause allergic reactions and skin rashes, and possibly interfere with the body’s endocrine system. Accepted by the FDA, but under ever-growing challenge as new studies come in.

6. Alcohols. Ethanol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and SD alcohol. All very drying and irritating to your skin. Petroleum-based alcohols all fit this description. Vegetable-based alcohols, actually waxes, are safe and effective skin care ingredients.

7, Dioxane. Derived from coconuts. Widely used in skincare products. The most serious problem is that it can contain high concentrations of 1,4-dioxane, considered a chemical “known to the State of California to cause cancer.”

The most important fact to know about my entire list of 7 Worst Ingredients is that they aren’t necessary. I don’t use a single skin care product that contains any of them.

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If you are lost in the world of skin care products, then this article might answer some questions for you to understand this “world”. Through this article we will look at how to determine our skin type to apply the correct moisturizers, we will also look at how to protect your skin and how to keep it healthy before we look at what products you might find beneficial. Firstly; let me say this; skin care products are just one method of keeping your skin healthy; but they alone is not the only solution, but combined with a healthy diet, good life style and good hygiene it will help you to get a younger and healthier skin.

Many apply lots of moisturizers almost everywhere, but it might be not be the best of ideas. Moisturizers should preferably be applied on dry skin. The fact is that most people have a combination of skin types; hence you should make a skin type test. This is easily done by cleansing your skin, wait an hour and apply a tissue to various spots of your face, arms and feet. If you have an oily skin type you will see traces of body oil on the tissue, if you have a dry skin you might discover fragments of skin on the tissue, or feeling the skin being dry or tight as you use the tissue. If it feels bit irritated it might be a spot where you have sensitive skin. It is advised to check the cheeks, outside of cheeks, the nose and the forehead as all of these places might have a bit different skin type. By knowing what skin type you have you might more easily apply the correct skin care products correctly. Of course, knowing your skin type is only the first step to get a more healthy skin.

Many think skin care products are the only way to have a healthy skin. This is of course wrong, as vitamin A, C and E is important for your skin, and you should get these from food or vitamin supplements as well. You should also make sure you drink a lot of water each day. These are things that can be achieved by eating healthy; next you should protect your skin. By protecting it I mean you should not use strong cleansers or strong soap, and preferably not too much alcohol based directly to your skin frequently. You should also try protecting yourself from being too much in the sun, and making sure you either cover the skin or use sunscreen while being in the sun. I know many wants to stay in the sun to get a nice brown color to their skin, however, try to limit your skin to not be exposed to the sun for more than 30 minutes each day. The last advice on protecting your skin is to avoid touching your face with your hands or objects (e.g. mobile phones) too frequently, as they are sources for dirt, bacteria and virus. Try to observe how often you really touch your face each day, and limit it as you get more aware of it. Lastly we will look a bit on which skin care products you should be using. First of all, use mild soap and cleansers, and of course apply moisturizers to dry skin, and of course, make sure you protect your skin with a sunscreen. These are inexpensive products, and you shouldn’t use soap or cleansers too often.

I hope this article helped you expand your knowledge, and made you more interested in learning more about how to keep your skin healthy, and maybe helped you get bit more interested in learning more about skin care products.