I’ve owned my own skincare business since 2012 and recently started transitioning to organic, non-toxic ingredients.
I’ve had a lot of people ask me how they can find out if the skincare products they currently use are safe. I hope this resource helps!
How To Check If Skincare Ingredients Are Safe
Do you know how to check if skincare ingredients are safe? For many people, this is a difficult question.
But with my list of 10 steps, determining ingredient safety will become much easier.
You will be able to check the safety of skincare ingredients in just a few minutes.
1. Avoid what you know is harmful
In other words, don’t buy products that contain ingredients commonly known to be damaging to health or the environment.
This includes ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulphate, parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde.
2. Don’t necessarily trust “natural” claims
Products labeled natural are not automatically safe for you to use: poison ivy is natural, after all.
But it’s a good idea to be wary of products that make this claim — their ingredients may have been derived from plants, but they’ve usually been chemically altered in some way, which can make them skin irritants or carcinogens.
3. Look out for the term “fragrance”
This is a catch-all term that can hide many questionable chemicals; up to 5% of the total product volume can be made up by fragrance alone.
You never know what you’re buying when you see this word on an ingredient list — it could be anything at all.
4. Look up the EWG
Look up the EWG (Environmental Working Group) Skin Deep Database and see if it’s listed there.
5. Check the ingredient list
Make sure the ingredients have no known health risks and have a positive benefit for the skin. The most important thing is to look for active ingredients, not just inactive filler ingredients.
6. Check if there are any preservatives in the product
Preservatives keep the product from spoiling, but they can cause allergic reactions in some people, so if you’re sensitive to preservatives, check the ingredients carefully.
Some products list water as an ingredient, which is also a preservative.
7. Look for natural ingredients
Natural products usually include some sort of preservative, but because it’s natural, it doesn’t have the same allergenic effects as synthetic ones.
Look for products that are labeled “organic,” “natural,” or “vegan.” These products won’t contain any synthetic chemicals that could be harmful to your skin.
8. See if the product is “cruelty-free”
Some companies test their products on animals before selling them to humans, so if you don’t want to support animal cruelty make sure to look for this label on skincare products.
If it’s not there, make sure that they don’t use animal testing by contacting them directly and asking them directly about their policy on animal testing before buying anything.
9. Patch test
Make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients. Do a patch test before applying anything new to your face or body.
Why It’s Important To Know If An Ingredient Is Safe Or Unsafe
It’s important to know if an ingredient is safe or unsafe for your skin. And it’s not just about avoiding things that cause an allergic reaction.
There are ingredients that can cause long-term damage to your overall health.
Below are some reasons why it’s important to know if an ingredient is safe or unsafe:
– It helps you avoid buying products that could harm you.
– You can learn about what chemicals go into the products you use every day.
– It gives you insight into how much of a particular ingredient is in a product.
– You can compare the ingredients in a product with those of other products to see which ones have more or less of them.
– You’ll know what to avoid when choosing which makeup brand will work best with your skin type or hair type.
– It gives you power over companies that sell harmful products.
– You’ll understand why some products are more expensive than others (and why they’re worth it!).
– You’ll be able to tell if what you’re putting on your body is safe for babies and children too!
– You’ll be able to find out which brands are best for your skin type (and how often they should be used).
– If there’s an ingredient that’s not good for you, then there will likely be other similar ones that aren’t good either.
Should You Be Concerned About Every Ingredient In My Skincare Products?
You don’t need to be too concerned about all the ingredients in your skincare products, but it’s important to understand the risks and know how to minimize them.
Most of the ingredients in popular skincare products are either chemical or herbal, so they’re not as likely as traditional pharmaceuticals to cause allergic reactions.
However, if you have sensitive skin, make sure you test a small amount before using a product on your face — just as you would with any new make-up product.
Even though ingredients are rarely dangerous individually, they can cause trouble when combined in certain ways.
For example, some preservatives used in skin care products can interact with each other and create unstable compounds that may cause severe skin irritation.
Oils are another potential problem. Many oils (like nut oils) have antioxidant properties similar to vitamins A, E, and C; however, some can also trigger allergic reactions or irritate the skin if used in large amounts.
There are many oils that don’t have this problem, but it’s important to be aware of which ones do before mixing them into your skincare products.
Should You Avoid Parabens And Sulfates Altogether?
Because both parabens and sulfates are found in so many products, it can be difficult to completely avoid them.
Parabens are used as preservatives, making them more common in products that contain water.
This includes shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and moisturizers. Sulfates are more likely to be found in foaming cleansers such as shampoo, shower gel, and bubble baths.
For those who want to avoid these ingredients, the most effective strategy is to check the ingredient label on cosmetics products before purchasing them.
While parabens and sulfates may be safe for most people to use in small amounts, some people find that their hair or skin reacts negatively when they’re exposed to these chemicals.
If you have sensitive skin or a condition such as dandruff or eczema, you may benefit from using hair care products that don’t contain parabens or sulfates.
If you do see an improvement by avoiding these ingredients, don’t worry — there are plenty of alternatives that work just as well and won’t irritate your skin.
The Most Dangerous Skincare Ingredients
These are some of the most dangerous skincare ingredients to avoid.
Some claim they are natural, others are known carcinogens and hormone disruptors that can cause serious health problems over time.
This list is not comprehensive but it will help you avoid the most common toxic offenders.
1. Fragrance
Many people think that fragrance is simply an added scent to a product to make it smell nice, but in reality, it can contain hundreds of chemicals that irritate the skin and trigger allergies.
2. Parabens
Found in many cosmetics and personal care products as a preservative because they have antimicrobial properties and prevent bacteria from growing in water-based products.
3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
This is a surfactant, detergent, and emulsifier used in thousands of cosmetic products, as well as industrial cleaners. It is very effective in its ability to clean and create foam.
4. Phthalates
These can be found in deodorants, perfumes/colognes, hair sprays, and moisturizers.
They are also used as plasticizers which increases the flexibility and softness of plastics. Unfortunately, they are also endocrine disruptors which have been linked to increased risk of breast cancer,
5. Diethanolamine (DEA)
The FDA has already restricted the use of DEA in cosmetics. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has banned the use of DEA in products that are applied to wet skin because of its possible carcinogenic effects.
DEA is also used in a number of hair-care products and shampoos.
6. DMDM Hydantoin & Urea (Imidazolidinyl)
DMDM Hydantoin and Urea (also known as Imidazolidinyl) are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic products.
It is often said that it releases formaldehyde which is a toxic chemical and can cause allergic skin reactions.
It is also considered toxic to the immune system. They can be found in some hair dyes, hair straighteners, moisturizers, bath products, bubble baths, and shampoos.
What Are Some Effective Natural Ingredients For Your Skin Type?
There are many effective natural ingredients to help improve the health of your skin. I would like to share a few with you based on your skin type.
Acne, Oily and Combination skin
If you have oily, acne-prone skin, you should look for products that have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Look for natural ingredients such as witch hazel, aloe vera, tea tree oil, green tea, and witch hazel.
These ingredients will help to restore moisture and balance to your skin while also providing protection from environmental factors such as pollution and bacteria.
The best products for oily skin will contain a combination of these natural ingredients. They should also be free of any harsh chemicals or preservatives.
Dry skin
If you have dry skin, look for products that contain antioxidants and moisturizing properties.
Natural moisturizers such as avocado oil and shea butter can help to improve the appearance of dry skin by reducing fine lines and wrinkles and improving elasticity.
Antioxidant-rich ingredients such as vitamin C, rosehip seed oil, and grape seed extract can help to repair the damage done by free radicals in the environment.
Free radicals can cause premature aging if not properly handled by the body.
Sensitive skin
For sensitive skin, aloe is one of the most effective natural ingredients that calms irritated skin and alleviates redness. Aloe also helps heal wounds, scars, and blemishes.
A popular ingredient in moisturizers is shea butter, which hydrates and protects the skin from dryness. Shea butter is also good for preventing wrinkles and fine lines because it has a lot of vitamin E.
Oatmeal, which is found in many cleansers, absorbs excess oil and removes impurities; this makes it perfect for combination and oily skin types.
Honey contains antioxidants, which help protect the skin from free radicals that cause wrinkles and sagging skin.
Can You Trust The Non-toxic Label On Your Skincare Products?
Instead of trusting labels, you need to learn how to read ingredient lists. This will allow you to take back control of your own health and wellness, so you can make informed choices about what goes on your body every day.
You probably know that the skincare industry isn’t regulated.
That’s right — any beauty brand can call themselves “natural” or “non-toxic.”
But there’s a new trend on the rise, and it’s a little scary. Brands are starting to label their products as “clean” or “safe,” which implies that their competitors are “dirty” or “unsafe.”
This is a dangerous game to play because it suggests that other brands are untrustworthy. But here’s the thing: They’re all just as bad as each other.
Why?
Because in order for skincare products to work, they need toxic ingredients to make them stable and effective!
How To Tell If A Skincare Product Is All-natural Or Organic
Here’s a primer on how to tell if a skincare product is all-natural or organic:
1. Look for the USDA organic seal on the label.
2. Check the ingredient list and make sure there are no preservatives, fragrances, dyes, or parabens.
3. Look for ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, and castor oil — all of which are safe and beneficial for your skin.
4. Avoid products with alcohol, which can dry out your skin and increase fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Make sure it’s dermatologist-tested. (At least that way you know it’s safe to use.)
6. Be wary of companies making unsupported claims like “natural” or “all-natural” — these terms have no legal definition when used in cosmetic labeling; therefore, companies can claim to be natural without having to prove that their products really are natural at all!
7. Take the time to look up unfamiliar ingredients online so you know what they are before you put them on your skin — this is especially important if you have allergies or other sensitivities!
8. Always check the expiration date listed on the package before using any product from an unknown source because old products may not work.
Also, look for these terms:
“Made with” or “Made from”
The product must contain at least 70 percent certified organic ingredients (excluding salt and water). However, it can contain up to 30 percent synthetic ingredients.
“Product”
The product must contain at least 95 percent certified organic ingredients (excluding salt and water).
“100% Organic”
The product must contain 100 percent organic ingredients (excluding salt and water). These products can be labeled “organic.”
How To Tell If A Skincare Product Is Cruelty-free Or Vegan
PETA and Leaping Bunny have certified thousands of companies as cruelty-free, which means their products weren’t tested on animals anywhere in the world.
But that doesn’t mean that everything from these brands is vegan.
To make things easier, we’ve listed the top 10 things you should look out for when purchasing cruelty-free and vegan skincare products:
1. The product labels say “cruelty-free” and/or “vegan”.
2. The brand has a cruelty-free certification logo.
3. The brand has a vegan certification logo.
4. The brand is on PETA’s cruelty-free list.
5. The brand is on Leaping Bunny’s cruelty-free list.
6. The brand is on Cruelty-Free International’s cruelty-free list.
7. You can find the brand’s animal testing policies on their website.
8. You can find the brand’s ingredient suppliers’ animal testing policies online.
9. You can contact the brand directly, ask them about their animal testing policy and get a response back from them that confirms whether or not they test on animals or not.
10. You can read reviews about the product and look for information about whether or not it is vegan and cruelty-free.
Final Thoughts
Everyone who has ever bought skincare products wants only one thing, and that is to find a product that works for them.
However, not every product is safe, and not every ingredient will provide positive results. This article talks about how you can check if certain ingredients are safe in skincare.
