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In small doses, they will not cause serious harm, but they can create trouble for the owners of capricious skin.
At the end of XX – beginning of XXI century in the world another surge of interest in everything natural: food, clothing and, of course, cosmetics. This could not but affect the beauty industry. There are more and more brands on the market offering organic products (by the way, contrary to the opinion of many, such products are not entirely composed of organic components, but their overwhelming amount), large manufacturers are also reorienting towards greater naturalness, and consumers are happy to support this.
And yet, in the list of our beauty favorites there are a lot of those that contain ingredients that cause controversy among connoisseurs. The most discerning ones even have lists of certain ingredients that girls look for on labels. It turns out that some of them have already been replaced. Together with CEO of organic cosmetics brand XUYONI1 Bae Joon Let’s figure out which components in the composition should be paid attention to and whether they have an alternative.
CEO of organic cosmetics brand XUYONI
Health and Beauty
xuyoni.com/
All of the listed ingredients are approved for use in cosmetics. However, depending on the amount of content, type, condition of the skin and the period of use, they can cause irritation. Keep a close eye on what is right for you, and we will share a cheat sheet which of the components can be replaced if necessary.
Mineral oil
Mineral oils are hydrocarbons extracted from petroleum. In addition to the fact that they are made from non-renewable natural resources, they are not yet recommended for oily and problem skin, do not contain biologically active components and, with long-term use, disrupt cellular respiration and metabolic processes on the skin surface.
Heavy and light mineral oils and liquid paraffin can be substituted for organic oils such as sunflower seeds, jojoba seeds, sweet almonds, oils derived from flowers, fruits and nuts. They provide a refreshing aftertaste, moisturize and penetrate deep into the skin, and most importantly – no negative consequences for nature.
Synthetic preservatives
Preservatives in cosmetics are very important ingredients that prevent the growth of contaminating microorganisms and prevent product spoilage. However, many synthetic preservatives created in the laboratory, such as parabens, phenoxyethanol and benzophenone, can negatively affect the body. Organic preservatives from plant roots, flowers and fruits can be used instead. For example, peony root extract, Korean pulsatilla flower, pine mistletoe and many others. Most of these ingredients are used in ancient Chinese medicine.
Synthetic surfactants
A surfactant that allows different components in a product to mix without separating. Although surfactants are very important in cosmetics that use both water and oil based ingredients, they can be dangerous to humans. For example, the synthetic surfactant PEDG, which is still widely used today, contains ethylene oxide and dioxin, the so-called carcinogens. These components cause a lot of controversy about their safety for humans. Other examples of synthetic surfactants include sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), and triethanolamine (TEA).
We advise you to replace them with surfactants of plant origin. For example, sorbitan olivate is a combination of low glucose sorbitol and a fatty acid derived from olive oil. It also demonstrates miscibility while still improving product application. Another ingredient to look out for is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil. It is cetearylolivate, which has a structure similar to human sebum and is used as an emulsifier. It is skin friendly and non-irritating.
Artificial flavor
Artificial fragrances are very pleasant smelling, but contain many ingredients that can cause allergies. In addition, not all components in a flavoring agent are clearly labeled, which is why consumers often do not know its full composition. To avoid unpleasant consequences, you need to look at the natural aromas in the composition of the product, which are not inferior in smell, but are the safest and most valuable for the skin.
For example, instead of hydroxycitronellali, benzyl salicylate and coumarin, you can pay attention to aromas derived from organic essential oils: citrus lemon peel, grapefruit, narrow-leaved lavender, flower oil, and more. They make the cosmetics hypoallergenic and more delicate.
Synthetic pH adjusters
Many people do not attach importance to the pH index, but in vain. The skin is the first to be exposed to the external environment. To protect it from the negative effects of bacteria and fungi, you need to ensure a weakly acidic pH of about 5,5. If you irritate your skin with excessively acidic or alkaline substances, this indicator will be violated. For example, this often happens when using the synthetic surfactants triethanolamine and triisopropanolamine, which can remove excess sebum and cause excessive drying of the skin. This is why a pH regulator is needed in cosmetics.
Look for arginine in the product. It is an amino acid component, the main structural unit of protein, that retains moisture in the skin. It is used as a natural pH regulator that controls the pH of cosmetics prone to high acidity and also maintains skin moisture.
Synthetic antioxidant
As a rule, there is a lot of moisture and oil in beauty products. Since it is stored at room temperature and the jar of your favorite product is often opened for use, there is a good chance that the product will quickly deteriorate due to oxidation. To prevent this from happening, the composition must contain ingredients that are able to prevent oxidation under the influence of heat, light and air. This is due to the synthetic antioxidants BHA and BHT, which are often classified as carcinogens and can be harmful to the skin.
It is better to look at the natural antioxidants in the composition, such as tocopherol. It is an ingredient in vitamin E found in many vegetable oils. It helps prevent aging by preventing skin oxidation.
Artificial pigments
They are made from low-toxic resinous pigments and give the care product a beautiful color. But they can also cause dryness, allergies and skin pigmentation (for example, red, yellow, and blue aniline dyes). In this regard, we advise you to choose skin care cosmetics without pigments, the color is given by organic ingredients in the composition.
A source:
1. , brand of Korean cosmetics.