List of Chemicals Found in Skin Care
By John Socratous
To maintain a healthy, young and beautiful skin, most of us use various kinds of skin care products such as masks, lotions and cleansers. The worrying thing about these products is that, many of them have a cocktail of various chemicals in them.
These chemicals found in skin care products are sometime detrimental to our skin's health but still are used commonly by the industry. Some of the side effects of such ingredients are redness, allergic reactions, inflammation as well as irritation. Here is a list of such chemicals used in skin care products that you may use which can be problematic for you.
Propylene Glycol
A kind of alcohol, propylene glycol is clear in color and is used as a thickening agent in the skin care industry. It is also known as moisturizer or emulsifier. The silkier feeling that you have while using that new slick product is due to this chemical. Facial wash, anti-aging and lotion are some products that generally have propylene glycol in them. According to Environmental Working Group, this chemical, even in small amount as two percent may cause eye, lung and skin irritation; though taking it orally is hardly risky especially for toxicity.
Preservatives
One of the chemicals found in products like toner, lotion or cleanser are the preservatives. They are added to prevent growth of fungus, mold or bacteria. Parabens, DMDM hydantoin, quantemium-15 and imidazolidinyl urea are some of the common preservatives that are used in industry. According to American Academy of Dermatology, this ingredient is the second major cause of all kinds of skin reactions.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Also known as an alkali, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an alkali metal's hydroxide or carbonate. The sudsy and foamy effect you have while using some products is due to this ingredient. This is one of major chemicals found in products like body wash, facial cleanser and acne treatments; and you will be surprised to know that is also found in such caustic products like oven cleaners and drain cleansers, as Natural Skincare Authority reports. Skin irritation which lasts for nearly a week, a burning sensation and inflammation are some of the skin problems created by SLS.
Fragrance
As there are many chemicals found in products, to mask their smell many manufacturers add fragrances to their products. They are also added to make a product smell great as American Academy of Dermatology. The fragrances are responsible for problems like dermatitis, which is itchy, red inflammation of skin in those people who are allergic to fragrances.
These chemicals found in skin care products are sometime detrimental to our skin's health but still are used commonly by the industry. Some of the side effects of such ingredients are redness, allergic reactions, inflammation as well as irritation. Here is a list of such chemicals used in skin care products that you may use which can be problematic for you.
Propylene Glycol
A kind of alcohol, propylene glycol is clear in color and is used as a thickening agent in the skin care industry. It is also known as moisturizer or emulsifier. The silkier feeling that you have while using that new slick product is due to this chemical. Facial wash, anti-aging and lotion are some products that generally have propylene glycol in them. According to Environmental Working Group, this chemical, even in small amount as two percent may cause eye, lung and skin irritation; though taking it orally is hardly risky especially for toxicity.
Preservatives
One of the chemicals found in products like toner, lotion or cleanser are the preservatives. They are added to prevent growth of fungus, mold or bacteria. Parabens, DMDM hydantoin, quantemium-15 and imidazolidinyl urea are some of the common preservatives that are used in industry. According to American Academy of Dermatology, this ingredient is the second major cause of all kinds of skin reactions.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Also known as an alkali, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an alkali metal's hydroxide or carbonate. The sudsy and foamy effect you have while using some products is due to this ingredient. This is one of major chemicals found in products like body wash, facial cleanser and acne treatments; and you will be surprised to know that is also found in such caustic products like oven cleaners and drain cleansers, as Natural Skincare Authority reports. Skin irritation which lasts for nearly a week, a burning sensation and inflammation are some of the skin problems created by SLS.
Fragrance
As there are many chemicals found in products, to mask their smell many manufacturers add fragrances to their products. They are also added to make a product smell great as American Academy of Dermatology. The fragrances are responsible for problems like dermatitis, which is itchy, red inflammation of skin in those people who are allergic to fragrances.
