The beauty industry has an ugly secret. Most skincare products contain harmful chemicals, that includes makeup, face cream, skin moisturizer, or cleanser. They may deliver short-term smoothness and brightness, but it may disrupt your hormones and fertility, expose you to known cancer-causing pesticides, and deliver dangerous toxins that penetrate and age your skin too. To protect your skin and keep it youthful and healthy, avoid products with the following chemicals: 

Parabens

Parabens is a form of preservative. Its inclusion in the skincare and makeup products helps keep at bay bacteria, mold and fungus growth. However, continuous usages may be harmful to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. The FDA acknowledges several studies linking parabens, which mimic estrogen, to breast cancer, skin cancer, and decreased sperm count, and has not ruled that it is harmful. 

Phthalates

Phthalates are multi-functional chemicals. In cosmetics and personal care products, they act as solvents. This is a chemical they use to soften plastics like children’s toys. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, they interfere with the normal hormonal function. They are also linked to asthma, obesity, breast cancer, type II diabetes, mental handicaps and a host of other issues. 

Boric Acid

Since it is considered a natural ingredient, it’s often utilized in hair and beauty products to prevent or retard bacterial growth. Borax and its relatives can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and disrupt hormones. Intense exposure may harm the male reproductive system. Beware when using these chemicals around children or while pregnant.

Fragrance

This one might be the scariest because companies do not have to disclose what ingredients are termed under the umbrella term of fragrance. Often, the ingredients include lots of chemicals that can cause allergies, hormone disruption and lead to bigger health problems reproductive issues and infertility.

Hydroquinone

Be wary of imported skin lighteners, don’t buy products without ingredients stated clearly. The FDA warns that this skin-bleaching chemical can cause a skin disease called ochronosis, with “disfiguring and irreversible” blue-black lesions on the exposed skin. Illegally imported skin lighteners can contain mercury, which can poison and is especially toxic during pregnancy.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

SLS has been shown to cause or contribute to skin irritation, canker sores, disruptions of skin’s natural oil balance and eye damage. It is also widely believed to be a major contributor to acne around the mouth and chin.

Retinol

Although Retinol can help soften wrinkles, it has some negative sides too. They have the opposite intended effect and become carcinogenic in sunlight, making it extra important to only use them at night and to avoid any sunscreens containing retinol-derived ingredients.

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