You may not have time or the inclination to make your own cosmetic treatments. If you opt for shop-bought, take time to read the labels carefully. Try to choose products with natural ingredients where possible, and if you have sensitive skin choose hypo-allergenic products. But bear in mind that although 42 % of women believe they have sensitive skin, according to a recent study many of them are suffering from irritation caused by chemicals in the skin-care products they use. This is not to say that every women will react badly, but your chances of a bad reaction are increased if you choose to use products containing the ingredients listed below.
The main culprits are the colour and fragrance chemicals, but preservatives UV include allergies and dermatitis.
If you don't like the idea of putting petrochemicals and high concentrations of preservative (often formaldehyde-based) onto your skin, shop around for vegetable based ranges. But read the small print. Many so-called 'natural' products contain only a tiny amount of plant extract.The main culprits are the colour and fragrance chemicals, but preservatives UV include allergies and dermatitis.
Do try and avoid the products listed below, which can be damaging to your skin.
FD&C or D&C followed by a colour reference number
These are synthetic colours which are potentially carcinogenic, and should be avoided at all costs.
Hydroxycitronellal
This has been lined to psoriasis
Linalool (or Linalol)
This has been linked to psoriasis
Mon-, di- and Triethanolamine
Common thickening agents used in cleanses that can lead to skin dryness and interfere with hormones
Parabens (ethyl-parabens, methyl-parabens, butyl-parabens
Preservatives that can cause skin rashes and allergic reactions
Perfumes
Most perfumes contain petrochemicals, which penetrate the skin and may cause toxic reactions, headaches, skin irritations and dizziness
Petrolatum (or mineral oil)
This is a bulk agent make from low-grade petroleum oil, which has no nutritional value, strips away the skins own natural oil leading to dry skin conditions, and can cause the skin to become over-sensitive to sunlight.
Propylene glycol
A key ingredient in antifreeze, made from petrochemicals or from alcohol mixed with glycerine, which can cause toxic and allergic reactions
Sodium lauryl Sulphate
A chemical degreasing compound often used in foaming cleansers which can lead to allergic reactions and skin rashes.
The following ingredients have been linked to eczema:
1,2-Dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane, Alcohol, Alcohol denat, Butadiene/Acrylonitrile Copolymer, Diamonum, Dithiodiglycolaate, Glycol, Methyl Alcohol, Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile, sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Tallowate, Styrene/Acrylates/Acrylonitrile, Copolymer
The following ingredients are among nearly 300 that have been linked to dermatitis
2-Bromo-2nitropopane-1,3-diolm Glycolate, BHA, BHT, Cetearyl Alcohol, Choloacetaminde, Cocamide DEA< MEA< and MIPA, Glycolic Acid, Imidazolidinyl urea, Lanolin, Oxybenzone, Sorbitan Palmitate, Sorbitan Sesquiioleate, SSSSesquioleateButyl Hydroquinone, TEA-Cocoyl.
The following are suspected acne-promoting ingredients and should be avoided if you suffer from black heads or acne:
Butyl Stearate, Coal Oleate, Decyl Oleate, Isolpropyl Stearate, Isopropyl isostearate, Methyl Oleate, Myristyle Propionate, Octyl Stearate, Oleic Acid, Potassium Tallowate, Propyleneglycol-2myristyl, Propionate, sodum Tallowate, Tehobroma Cacao, Xanthene, Zea Mays
