Why consider ingredients used in skincare is essential? Simply because quality skincare ingredients help you improve your skin and may not harm your body. Skin is made up of three layers. The first layer is the epidermis which plays a role as a barrier between body and environment. The epidermis has melanocytes which determine the skin tone and protect the skin from UV radiation. The second layer is the dermis which consists of blood vessels, collagen, nerves, etc. Dermis supplies the epidermis with nutrient-saturated blood and supports the skin’s elasticity. The last layer is the thickest layer, hypodermis, which contains collagen and fat cells. The use of skincare is aimed at ensuring your skin’s best functioning. Using skincare regularly means those layers will absorb the ingredient slowly from time to time. Can you imagine how worst it can be if you use the wrong and dangerous ingredients in skincare products?
The natural ingredient is believed to have the best element to support your skin health. Unfortunately, our beloved mother nature cannot always provide everything we need. Thus, companies need artificial chemicals to add to the skincare ingredients. However, using artificial chemicals is dangerous for your skin. Instead of being beautiful and healthy, using bad products of skincare with dangerous artificial chemicals may put you in danger. Skin irritation, birth defect, and cancer are some of the effects that you can find when you get yourself wrong on skincare products.
Compared to the European Union, the United States FDA bans fewer chemicals used in skincare or beauty products. There are 11 dangerous chemicals mentioned and one of them is parabens. Have you heard Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben? Parabens are found in up to 85% of skincare products and widely used as artificial preservatives in beauty products or skincare since the 1920s. These chemicals can reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and mold and can be found in moisturizers, facial wash, cleansers, anti-aging products, etc. So, why are parabens dangerous? Not only can cause skin irritation, having parabens in your skincare can bring you to hormones disruption. Moreover, parabens can harm fertility and reproductive organs and cause a birth defect. They also have been found in breast cancer tissue.
Another chemical banned is DEA / TEA. What are they? Diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA) are commonly used to blend water and oil-soluble oil ingredients and create foam in the products. DEA plays a role as an emulsifier and TEA takes part in giving fragrance and pH balance. When ethanolamines are used in the same products, building over time, cancer is threatening. Research shows that repeated use of products that contains those chemicals can cause liver tumor and damage the male reproductive system.
There is also chlorine which causes skin irritation, fillers that only add the volume of the product without giving special effect to your skin, dioxane, phenoxyethanol, silicones, foam boosters, mineral oil, etc. Now, the question is, if they are dangerous artificial chemicals then why do many companies still use them as parts of ingredients? It is because those chemicals are cheaper and easier to produce. They also add volume to the product so it is profitable for the company. The various companies and brand offer you their skincare products and it is your choice to choose which best to give to your skin. Reading carefully the label before buying is a wise thing you can do. Remember that skincare products are designed to use routinely. Your skin can directly absorb the chemicals so it is better to put on a very good skincare product.
