Finding a REALLY GOOD face wash with all natural ingredients to tackle my acne prone skin at an affordable price is always a struggle.
There are tons of skin care products on the market claiming to be 100% natural when in fact, their products are filled with toxic ingredients that could get into the blood stream and potentially disrupt the hormonal system, making the entire issue worse!
There’s ton of harmful ingredients we shouldn’t use in our facial wash, but for time’s sake and to help you get started on your healthy beauty journey, I’ll share with you 4 commonly used toxic ingredients that you should avoid when buying a face wash.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLS)
Does your face feel squeaky clean after you clean it? Well it shouldn’t!
Our skin produces natural oils that helps with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but when we use products containing sulfates, it’s strips us of those oils, causing an imbalance of oil production, leaving us with excessively oily or extremely dry skin, the exact thing we are trying to get rid of!
The ingredient is commonly found in shampoos (I recommend using sulfate-free shampoo) and used in carpet cleaners, dish washing liquid and household cleaning products like Clorox and Lysol.
Why would you want to put this on your face?
Parabens (Specifically Propyl-, Isopropyl-, Butyl-, and Isobutyl- parabens)
According to the Environmental Working Group, “Parabens are estrogen-mimicking preservatives used widely in cosmetics. The CDC has detected parabens in virtually all Americans bodies.
According to the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, longer chain parabens like propyl and butyl paraben and their branched counterparts, isopropyl and isobutyl parabens, may disrupt the endocrine system and cause reproductive and developmental disorders.”
Fragrances
I know we all love the sweet-smelling aroma when it comes to personal hygiene, but your face wash is a product that simply doesn’t need it!
To protect a brands “secret formula” the law doesn’t require companies to list the ingredients used in their fragrance mixture, and many don’t, so we have no clue on what they’re using.
Many times it’s a blend of synthetic chemicals that have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and reproductive problems, according to The EWG. If you can’t live without a scented facial wash, look for products that use essential oils or fruit/extract for fragrance.
Formaldehyde
Often found in plywood, paint primers, fingernail products & cosmetics formaldehyde can destroy your skin’s natural protective oils, causing dry, flaky skin and may lead to allergic reactions including hives and blisters.
I mean really, who wants to use a facial wash with an ingredient that’s used to make paint? Manufactures get away with it because of the low amount that used in making the product, but come on! Is this ingredient really necessary? If I were you, I’d stay away from this one!
Things to Remember When Purchasing Your Next Skin Care Product:
Make sure to ALWAYS read the ingredient list and research any term that doesn’t look familiar to you, especially the words you can spell or pronounce. Those are typically the most dangerous ingredients the manufacturer HOPES you’ll ignore.