Why should you avoid toxic chemical ingredients in your cosmetic products?
Every day, we apply dozens of products with multiple ingredients to our skin. But not all of them are safe. Many common chemicals in conventional cosmetics can damage the skin barrier, cause allergies and irritation, and affect your long-term health. Furthermore, some pollute the environment.
At OhMyKoko, we believe that skin deserves the best, which is why we promote skin activism: choosing natural and vegan cosmetics free of toxins. In this article, we'll tell you how to identify the chemical ingredients you should avoid to take care of your skin and your health.
Chemical ingredients that harm your skin and your health
To protect your skin, the first step is to learn how to read the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients). Toxic ingredients often appear with complex names or common endings. Here we explain the most dangerous ones and how to spot them.
Petrolatum, paraffin and mineral oils
How to identify them: Look for words like petrolatum , paraffinum liquidum , mineral oil , paraffin , or Vaseline in the list.
Why avoid them: They are petroleum derivatives that create an occlusive film that clogs pores, preventing the skin from breathing properly and disrupting its natural balance. This can cause:
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They give a temporary feeling of hydration, but they actually dehydrate the skin.
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Acne and blackheads.
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Premature aging.
Furthermore, its extraction and processing have a high environmental impact.
Silicones and polymers
How to identify them: They end in -methicone , -siloxane , -methiconol , -siloxy silicate , or appear as cyclomethicone , dimethicone , phenyl trimethicone .
Why avoid them: They form an impermeable layer that can impede perspiration and trap dirt and oil in pores, causing acne breakouts. Environmentally, they are poorly biodegradable and polluting. Some can disrupt the hormonal system.
Interested in natural skin care? You'll love this.
Did you know? Hormone disruptors, found in many conventional cosmetics, can alter our body's hormonal balance. Ingredients such as parabens and phthalates, common in shampoos, creams, and makeup, have been linked to fertility and developmental problems. It's crucial to check the labels on our beauty products!
Parabens
How to identify them: Names like methylparaben , ethylparaben , propylparaben , butylparaben .
Why avoid them: Preservatives are widely used to prevent bacteria and fungi, but they act as endocrine disruptors, mimicking hormones. They have been linked to reproductive disorders and certain types of cancer. They are present in more than 90% of conventional cosmetics, so it's essential to avoid them.
Switch to natural cosmetics and take advantage of the benefits of natural ingredients and active ingredients, which not only nourish and protect your skin but also provide an essential protection factor to maintain its health and vitality.
Sulfates
How to identify them: Look for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) , Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) , Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate .
Why to avoid them: These are harsh detergents and foaming agents that strip the skin of its natural oils, weakening the skin barrier. They can cause irritation, dryness, and worsen sensitive skin or eczema.
Phenoxyethanol
How to identify it: It appears as Phenoxyethanol in the INCI.
Why avoid it: Used as an alternative preservative to parabens, but can cause eczema, allergies, and central nervous system toxicity, especially in infants and children.
Opt for gentle, sulfate-free cleansers to help keep the skin barrier intact and reduce skin sensitivity.
PEG
How to identify them: Ingredients that include PEG followed by numbers, such as PEG-40 , PEG-7 , PEG-12 .
Why avoid them: They are not toxic per se, but they disrupt the skin's natural barrier by removing protective oils, making it more permeable to other toxins and pollutants.
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers
How to identify them: Formaldehyde , Quaternium-15 , DMDM Hydantoin , Imidazolidinyl urea , Diazolidinyl urea .
Why avoid them: Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and a potent irritant. Although it's banned or regulated in many countries, its releasers are still used, posing a risk to skin, especially in babies and people with sensitive skin.
Some chemical ingredients have a cumulative effect on the body. Choosing natural, toxin-free cosmetics protects your health.
Hydroquinone
How to identify it: It appears as Hydroquinone .
Why avoid it: Used to lighten dark spots, it's toxic and can cause severe irritation and increased sun sensitivity. Its use should be strictly supervised by a dermatologist.
Triclosan
How to identify it: It appears as Triclosan , Irgasan , Lexol , Microban .
Why avoid it: Antibacterial that destroys both good and bad bacteria, contributing to bacterial resistance. Linked to asthma, allergies, and hormonal disorders.
Phthalates
How to identify them: DEP (Diethylphthalate), DBP (Dibutylphthalate), DMP (Dimethylphthalate).
Why avoid them: Used to fix fragrances and plasticizers. They are endocrine disruptors, banned in cosmetics in the European Union, but still present in other countries.
Benzopherone-3 (Oxybenzone)
How to identify it: Benzophenone-3 , Oxybenzone .
Why avoid them: Common chemical sunscreen that disrupts hormones, can cause allergies, and harm marine ecosystems.
How to protect your skin and your health: choose natural and vegan cosmetics free of toxins
Now that you know how to identify and avoid these harmful ingredients, choose responsible brands that use natural, vegan ingredients and clean formulas, like OhMyKoko. Our products are formulated to care for your skin without compromising your health or the planet.
📰 In addition to sweating, does your cream leave pills?
It's not always your skin's fault: your formula could be sabotaging your routine. Find out in our article which ingredients or combinations cause those pesky pills and how to avoid them so your skin looks perfect and comfortable. Read the full article 👉
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Why choose OhMyKoko?
At OhMyKoko we not only offer natural and vegan cosmetics, but we are also the first skin activist brand .
Our products are formulated with high-quality, natural ingredients, free of toxic chemicals , designed to care for your skin and respect the environment.
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👉 If you haven't already, download our free guide and start your routine with meaning.
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