Today, anyone who wants to take care of their skin is facing a wide choice of products. However, many of them contain ingredients that are harmful to the skin, such as the well-known parabens. But not only that! There are also so-called endocrine disruptors and pollutants that can have negative effects on the whole body. In short, cosmetic products are often full of ingredients that can damage your skin instead of treating it. Nevertheless, it is sometimes difficult to find your way through all these dangerous ingredients. So let’s take a look at what’s going on!
Ingredients to avoid
Alkylphenols: alkylphenols are emulsifying agents. In other words, they allow all the components of the cream to be well mixed together, making them more miscible. Despite this, they are known to be very harmful to health, and can have an impact on fertility and the foetus. They are also endocrine disruptors and carcinogenic molecules.
INCI : Nonylphénol, Nonoxynol, Octylphénol, Propylphénol …
BHA and BHT: Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are active antioxidants that are supposed to protect the fatty components of cosmetic products against oxidation. According to some studies, they are suspected of being carcinogenic.
INCI : E320
DEAs: DEAs are acidity regulators, which are also known to be carcinogenic substances.
INCI : Cocamide DEA, Lauramide DEA
Glycol ethers: Glycol ethers are highly toxic, irritating and allergenic solvents. They are considered endocrine disruptors, can cause fertility disorders and are suspected carcinogens.
INCI : 2-phénoxyéthanol, Phénoxytol
Formaldehyde releasers: Formaldehyde releasers are preservatives that slowly release formaldehydes. Formaldehydes are carcinogenic and allergenic substances that can have very harmful effects not only on your skin but also on the rest of your body.
INCI : DMDM hydantoin, Diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl urea, Methenamine et Quaternium-15
Parabens: to avoid in your skincare routine
A little chemistry to start with. Parabens are alkyl parahydroxybenzoates, obtained by the condensation of parahydroxybenzoic acid with an alcohol. Parabens are therefore purely artificial, although some studies tend to prove the existence of natural parabens, in particular in vanilla flowers. Parabens have antibacterial and antifungal properties which make them excellent preservatives in cosmetics but also in medicines or food for example. Basically, they prevent the development of bacteria, moulds and fungi in the products we consume every day. Thus, parabens allow them to be preserved longer and protect the consumer.
A little chemistry to start with. Parabens are alkyl parahydroxybenzoates, obtained by the condensation of parahydroxybenzoic acid with an alcohol. Parabens are therefore purely artificial, although some studies tend to prove the existence of natural parabens, in particular in vanilla flowers. Parabens have antibacterial and antifungal properties which make them excellent preservatives in cosmetics but also in medicines or food for example. Basically, they prevent the development of bacteria, moulds and fungi in the products we consume every day. Thus, parabens allow them to be preserved longer and protect the consumer.
Behind this very technical language, there are hidden harmful effects on health and the environment. Parabens are present in more than 80% of the beauty products we use every day: moisturisers, shower gels and shampoos. We are therefore exposed to parabens on a daily basis. But why are parabens harmful to our health? For two main reasons:
- Parabens are strong allergens. Contact between the chemical substance and the skin can cause irritation, red patches and even eczema.
- Parabens can act as endocrine disruptors through their ability to pass through the skin. Thus, it can endanger the fertility of men and women by causing hormonal disturbances.
However, some studies tend to show that it is only certain types of parabens that cause adverse health effects. In this case, it would be parabens whose carbon chain is considered long. Similarly, one should be wary of the words “paraben-free” which often hide the use of equally or even more harmful components.
INCI des parabens : Butylparaben, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, E214 à E219, parahydroxybenzoate de propyle, parahydroxybenzoate de méthyle
In conclusion, it is strongly advised to take a close look at the ingredients of the cosmetic products we use every day. Parabens and other ingredients that are harmful to the skin should be avoided as much as possible. SO® offers innovative products that do not contain parabens and other harmful chemicals mentioned above. The brand favours ingredients of natural origin in order to design products that meet your expectations: natural, transparent and authentic!
