Irritants in cosmetics – which ones to avoid?

Irritating substances in cosmetics is a recently fashionable but increasingly appreciated topic. Due to changes in legal standards regarding the safety of cosmetics, there has been an increased interest in products containing ingredients that are safe for our skin. Legal changes have taken place over the last few years.

People who have sensitive or allergy-prone skin are increasingly looking for products that do not contain irritating ingredients. Such people prefer a natural lifestyle without preservatives and without synthetic colouring and fragrances.

Irritating substances in cosmetics – avoid these

Based on a 2012 study by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US Food and Drug Administration listed eight substances that can cause skin irritation. These are:

Mineral oil and paraffin – these are substances that are supposed to further moisturise the skin. Unfortunately, they have aroused conflicting emotions among many doctors and scientists for years. This is because they are petroleum-based substances which, according to many opinions, can penetrate deep into our organism causing adverse effects.

Parabens – are strong preservatives. Known preservatives for decades, they were once used by all the big pharmaceutical companies. As a result of a media campaign a few years ago, there was a lot of negative feedback regarding these substances. The main problem was the use of too high concentrations of parabens, which could cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.

Carbomers – are thickening substances in cosmetics. Many products require a change in consistency from semi-liquid to solid in order to be more easily applied to the skin. According to some sources, carbomers can cause inflammation and itching of the skin, particularly around the eyes.

Vaseline – this is used to moisturise and create a thin protective layer on the skin. There have been allegations that petroleum jelly clogs pores, restricts the absorption of substances contained in creams and restricts sweating of the skin, so that the body cannot properly get rid of toxins.

SLES and SLS – are surfactants that act as washing and foaming agents. They make it easier for grease to combine with water and dirt. The irritant effect of SLS is not fully investigated. As with parabens, there are suspicions that too high concentrations of SLS in products, causes skin irritation and allergic reaction. It is also important that SLS is only present in products that are removed from the skin, as leaving such a substance on the skin increases the risk of irritation.

What about cosmetic fragrances and dyes?

These are what give the right colour or fragrance to cosmetics. Cosmetic products, for marketing reasons, are enriched by numerous substances to make them more attractive. Every cream in its original form contains a carrier, a preservative (natural or synthetic) and active substances that make it unique and determine its effectiveness. Unfortunately, the original form of the cosmetic preparation usually has an unattractive fragrance and an unpleasant colour. For this reason, colouring and scenting agents are used to entice our senses. It has been scientifically proven that products that are more appealing to the eye and nose give a feeling of better cared-for skin. To achieve this effect, there are two types of these ingredients: natural or synthetic. The use of natural extracts is usually much more expensive, so manufacturers opt for synthetic equivalents. According to many dermatological studies, synthetic aromatic and colouring substances are much more likely to cause irritation to sensitive and allergy-prone skin.

Seek cosmetics without irritants

Many preservatives, fragrances or colouring agents cause skin irritation and sometimes irritate our whole body. Many cosmetic ingredients enter our bloodstream and are removed in our urine. It is by analysing the composition of urine and blood, as well as through dermatological tests, that we are able to determine the degree of dangerous concentration of the cosmetic ingredients in question. The compound that enters the blood is able to affect our water and hormonal balance. In addition to contact allergic reactions and irritation in the form of mild inflammation, certain ingredients can also cause sebum composition disorders. In a few cases, inappropriate cosmetics can also cause contact acne, which is most common on the face, neck and shoulders. For sensitive or dermatologically active skin, the US FDA recommends the use of irritant-free ingredients. People with particularly hypersensitive skin may react negatively even to low concentrations of certain chemicals.