10 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Your Beauty Products

When looking at ingredient labels, always start from the bottom. That is where a lot of brands tend to hide red-flag ingredients like fragrance (perfume).

Stay away from products that contain artificial colors and dyes. These ingredients are contaminated with heavy metals, petroleums and coal tar which can lead to skin irritations and breakouts.

Here are the top 10 ingredients to avoid when choosing a beauty product.

• Alluminium - Commonly found in anti-perspirants. It is a neurotoxin that can accumulate in the brain and has been shown to influence Alzheimer's and Autism.
• Hydroquinone - Commonly found in skin lightening products, hair conditioners and nail polishes.
• Parabens - Are a common preservative found in almost all skincare and they act as xenoestrogens in the body which can increase the risk of estrogen dependent breast cancers.
• Petroleum Derivatives - These are used in skin care to make the skin feel smoother but it actually creates a water repellent and un-breathable barrier that can clog the pores.
• Phthalates - are used to make products more playable. It is found mostly in hair sprays and lotions. It is a known endocrine disruptor and has been linked to male infertility and lower sperm count.
• Retinol - Us a synthetic with a high dose of vitamin A. Known to fight off wrinkles and blemishes. Retinol has photosynthesizing effects and it increases the production of damaging free radicals in the skin tissues.
• Triclosan - is used as an anti-bacterial agent. Found in toothpaste, hand soaps and has been known to be a disruptor to the microbiome in the skin and the gut. It has been linked to allergies, asthma and eczema  in children.
• Silicones - The structure of silicones can trap dirt and debris into your pores which can lead to breakouts. It also impairs skin cell turnover which can lead to dry and dull skin structure. Look for words that end in "core", "celane" and "celoxane".