Cosmetics are items that we use on a daily basis, and unless they cause irritation or allergic reaction, we rarely stop to check the ingredients.

We choose these types of products because of their color, smell, price or any other reason that has to do with taste, but we should start checking the labels and know what ingredients to avoid in cosmetics .

12 ingredients to avoid in cosmetics

Some chemical components of cosmetics are so aggressive that they have been banned in some countries, but in many others they are still on the market and you have to be aware of them to avoid buying products that include these components.

Regardless of the price of cosmetic products on the market, many include to a lesser or greater extent some of these chemicals that we should avoid applying to our skin , as some have proven harmful with continued use and in some cases it has been shown that they could promote the appearance of cancer.

1. Parabens

They are used as preservatives because they serve to keep bacteria away. They are very cheap to produce, so many cosmetic brands use them.

However, parabens cause alterations in the body’s hormonal functions which is known as an endocrine disruptor and therefore has been banned in France and Denmark.

It is for this reason that parabens are one of the ingredients to avoid in cosmetics.

2. Diethanolamine

DEA, MEA and TEA are compounds that are found in soap products and cause, among other things, hair growth retardation.

They are widely used to make the products creamier in texture or more foaming, some sensitive people show irritability in skin and eyes. The worst risk posed by these three compounds is that added to other components increase the carcinogenic effects (even though the danger is not very high).

If any of these ingredients appear on the label, it is a cosmetic product to be avoided.

3. Siloxanes

Siloxane is used to soften and soften cosmetic products. Although there is no definitive study, it is suspected to alter hormonal functions and cause liver toxicity .

If your beauty products are labeled with Cyclomethicone or a compound ending in “siloxane”, then that product contains ingredients that are best avoided in your regular beauty care or treatment.

4. Aluminium

Aluminium is used in antiperspirant deodorants , and has been linked to the development of breast cancer. Unfortunately it is very common to find it in any brand of deodorant despite the fact that it is a harmful ingredient that should be avoided.

5. Lead

Yes, many lipsticks contain lead . Although the amount they contain is very small, the truth is that the body absorbs it and if we think that lipsticks are products that are used very frequently, we can realize that we have been very exposed to lead.

The recommendation is to check the label of the lipsticks and if it has lead discard that cosmetic product, because it is harmful.

6. Ammonia

Although this ingredient is one of the least aggressive in the long list of harmful ingredients in cosmetics, ammonia causes problems in the scalp .

It is widely used in dyes and is contraindicated for people suffering from seborrheic dermatitis or eczema on the scalp.

7. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) compound

This ingredient is used for the bases of creams and has been found to be associated with damage to the nervous system .

If you read ingredients such as “ethyl” or “glycol” on the label, then it is a product that contains harmful compounds.

8. Silicones

They are mainly found in makeup , but also many shampoos and conditioners contain them. They are not toxic, but prolonged use damages our skin, scalp and hair surface.

These types of compounds are considered harmful ingredients in beauty products because they permeate the skin and hair causing them to stop “breathing” so at first you may feel that the appearance improves, over time they damage it leaving it worse.

9. Formaldehyde

Chemically, they’re one of the simplest aldehydes in existence. They are volatile and flammable and are used in cosmetics to fix nail polish and body lotions.

It is highly allergenic, but what is really alarming is that the WHO considers it a harmful ingredient that can cause cancer. Formaldehyde is one of the harmful ingredients in cosmetics that should definitely be avoided.

10. Phthalate

Its main harmful characteristic is that it has been shown that acting together with other chemical components can favor the appearance of genetic mutations and affect the function of hormones, causing reproductive problems .

At some point it worked as a substitute for formaldehyde, as it was also used to fix the nail polish . However, given these findings, it is best to check whether the label contains phthalate as a cosmetic ingredient and if so, to avoid its use.

11. Pfelendiamine

It’s a compound derived from anilines. It is used for its ability to give color and for its low cost so it is commonly found in hair dye. It appears as an IC and a 5-number code.

This ingredient is harmful in beauty products because it has been shown to cause allergic reactions to asthma and, being a compound derived from coal tar, it is highly carcinogenic.

12. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

It is used as a cleansing agent for foaming, and is often used despite the fact that it is known to cause cancer.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a harmful component in cosmetics, so when it is found on the label it is best not to use it.

Bibliographic references:

  • Winter, R. (2005). A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients: Complete Information About the Harmful and Desirable Ingredients in Cosmetics (Paperback). US: Three Rivers Press.