Facial Care Products to Avoid

Taking care of your skin requires the right products day and night. However, not all facial care products are worth your time or money. In fact, some can damage your skin, causing micro-tears, drying with alcohol, or adding preservatives. Which ones should you avoid? We’re not going to point fingers at specific products, but we will highlight key ingredients that should be on your no-no list. Avoid any product that contains anything from the following list.

Parabens

There are a lot of conflicts out there about parabens. Some studies claim they’re fine. Others claim they are potential endocrine disruptors, which can lead to hormone imbalance. Usually, parabens are used as preservatives, and you will find them in a lot of moisturizers and cleansers. How do you tell if something is a paraben? The ingredients will have names that start with methyl, butyl, ethyl, or propyl.

The Ethanolamines

Found mostly in things like facial cleansers and some types of soaps, three products fall into this category. They are DEA, MEA, and TEA. Or, more accurately, they are diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, and triethanolamine. You may also find them in sunscreen and makeup products.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is used in products as wide-ranging as a paint strippers and skincare products. It’s made from petroleum and can clog your pores very quickly. It also prevents the skin from eliminating toxins, which increases the chance of developing acne and other skin conditions. Where will you find it? Almost everywhere. Check your cosmetics, your creams, and your lotions.

Aluminum

At this point, this should be a no-brainer, but aluminum is still found in an incredibly wide range of skincare products and many women are none the wiser for it. Aluminum is a toxic metal. It also creates estrogen-like effects in the body. Because it disrupts the endocrine system, it leads to hormone imbalances.

PEG

PEG, or polyethylene glycol, is used to control moisture and as a product thickener. You’ll usually find it in cleansers designed to help you get rid of oil on your face. The problem is that eliminating your skin’s natural moisture leads to aging and skin damage.

These are just some of the toxins that you should avoid in your facial care products. There are tons of others, including commonly-used options like propylene glycol and butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and sodium Laureth sulfate.

Interested in learning more about effective skin care and rejuvenation? Contact me to schedule your skin consultation.