10 Ingredients You Should Avoid in Your Beauty Products

You know Oh Lardy has always been concerned about ingredients in our real food.  That was a major transition of ours into a healthy lifestyle!

Over the years, we have begun to ditch cleaning products with harmful ingredients by making our own and using Thieves Household cleaner.  We also have been slowly detoxing our beauty cabinets, as well, mainly by making our own lotions, detangler, shaving cream to name a few as well as using ‘clean' store bought products.  

It is hard to avoid potentially dangerous ingredients in beauty products as there are so many!  I recommend using the Skin Deep app from the Environmental Working Group.  You can browse food or cosmetics or scan an item and get an EWG score.  The lower the score, the ‘cleaner' the product!

I was pleasantly surprised to find my favorite Pureology conditioner has a score of 1!  Yay!  Sadly, the matching shampoo scored poorly so I am going to be on the lookout for a new product!

Detoxing your beauty cabinet can seem daunting for sure.  We created a simple PDF that can help you navigate those waters and tackle this task with ease.  You can download that PDF here! 

I have been very hesitant to change my makeup. I am a Chanel makeup addict and while I love the coverage, the colors, everything about Chanel, the ingredients are not the best.  I am not yet ready to get rid of my Chanel but I would like to save it for ‘going out' or more ‘special' occasions.  

I have found Young Living's Savvy Minerals to have great colors, coverage and be free of all the potentially dangerous ingredients common in other make up lines.  I love that it is buildable and easy to apply!  

 

Here are some items you should look for in your beauty products.  If you see these ingredients in products you own, you may want to consider getting rid of those brands and finding a cleaner product!!

10 Ingredients to Avoid

1) BHA and BHT: 

Synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life. They are likely carcinogens and hormone disruptors, and may cause liver damage. Found in: lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper creams, and other cosmetics.

2) Bisphenol A (BPA): 

A hormone disruptor that may also alter DNA, used in plastics and resins. Found in: plastic bottles, lining of aluminum food cans, possibly in eyeshadow and styling gel. 

3) Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA): 

Surfactants and pH adjuster linked to allergies, skin toxicity, hormone disruption, and inhibited fetal brain development. Found in: hair dyes, mascara, foundation, fragrances, sunscreens, dry cleaning solvents, paint, pharmaceuticals.

4) 1,4-dioxane: 

A by-product of manufacturing that is a probable human carcinogen (a known animal carcinogen) as well as toxic to organs and the respiratory system, and a skin irritant. Likely to be present where ethoxylated ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate, PEGs, and ceteareth are listed on ingredient labels. Found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.

5) Mercury and mercury compounds (also listed as Thimerosal): 

Metallic element used as a preservative and antiseptic known to damage brain function. Found in: ear and eye drops; may be used in mascara.

6) Parabens  (methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and others):

A class of preservatives commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Parabens are endocrine (or hormone) disruptors, which alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies. Specially, parabens mimic estrogen; they can lock on to our cell’s own estrogen receptors and mess with important natural signals. They may play a role in triggering breast cancer. Found in: shampoo, face cleanser, body wash, body lotion, foundation.

7) Phthalates  (DBP, DEHP, DEP and others): 

A class of plasticizing chemicals used to make products more pliable or to make fragrances stick to skin. Phthalates disrupt the endocrine system and may cause birth defects. Found in: synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray.

8) Retinyl palmitate and Retinol (Vitamin A): 

A nutrient that may damage DNA and speed the growth of skin tumors when used topically. Found in: moisturizer, anti-aging skincare.

9) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS and SLES): 

SLS and SLES are surfactants that can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies. SLES is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of a petrochemical process called ethoxylation which is used to process other chemicals in order to make them less harsh. Found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.

10) Synthetic flavor or fragrance: 

An engineered scent or flavoring agent that may contain any combination of 3,000+ stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Fragrance formulas are protected under federal law's classification of trade secrets, and therefore can remain undisclosed. Found in: all types of cosmetics.

Does the thought of removing chemicals from your home seem daunting to you? Don’t sweat it. In just 5 days you can be well on your way to a toxin free home! Grab your 5 easy steps here!

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