Skin Irritants That Are Commonly Found In Beauty Products

With the beauty industry so loosely regulated, it’s imperative to be proactive when choosing what products we put on our skin. Consumers are mislead to believe that just because an item is packaged and on a shelf, it’s “safe” to use… but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Certain ingredients and materials commonly used in beauty products and tools contain notorious irritants that can cause reactions and aggravate allergies. What’s more, many ingredients in cosmetics have been linked to certain diseases and are even known to be carcinogenic. It’s scary stuff, but the good news is, you can easily avoid these toxic materials simply by knowing what to look for. While this list is by no means extensive, here are some of the major skin irritants to watch out for.

Skin Irritants That Are Commonly Found In Beauty Products

1. Nickel, Copper, and Brass

Some people find that jewelry or cosmetic tools containing these metals can cause irritation or allergic reactions. When these materials come in contact with the skin, it can turn red, itchy, even crusty or blistered. Nickel, copper, and brass can also be responsible for leaving those lovely green marks after your jewelry has been taken off. To avoid a potential reaction (or stained skin), opt for nickel-free alloys, stainless steel, gold, platinum, or other quality metals when choosing your baubles and beauty tools.

2. Fragrances

Lots of people are sensitive or even allergic to colognes and perfumes (maybe you’re one of them), so why in the world would you put these fragrances directly on your face? Well, according to WebMD, it may be to mask the stink of chemicals in cosmetics. “Even products that say they are ‘unscented’ can have a fragrance used to cover up chemical scents,” the article reads. Furthermore, these fragrances are often vaguely identified - where does “fragrance” come from, anyway? That’s why WebMD suggests sticking with products labeled as “fragrance free” or “without perfume.”

3. Preservatives

Some ingredients help give cosmetics a longer shelf life and prevent the growth of bacteria. While this may seem like a good thing, remember that these chemicals get absorbed into your skin. Preservatives including (but not limited to) parabens, phenoxyethanol, and formaldehyde — yep, the stuff used to preserve the things you dissected in high school — can cause some serious side effects. Everything from allergic reactions to nervous system effects, to cancer have been linked with these types of ingredients. Even if you think this is far-fetched, consider this: do you really want to slather formaldehyde all over your face?

So, what should you do now?

The safest route is to look at the labels on your cosmetics, just as you would read the ingredient panels on food. In general, the fewer ingredients the better, especially if they’re ones that you can pronounce. There are certain brands that are committed to making products free of these potentially dangerous chemicals, and while they may be a bit more expensive, your health is certainly worth the extra money. Plus, you may be able to DIY certain steps of your routine, like making your own face masks or using coconut oil as a multi-purpose beauty hack.

When the R.E.M Spring sisters developed the R.E.M Spring, their goal was to create an easy, safe, affordable, and chemical-free solution to removing facial hair. That’s why this handy little tool is made with one “ingredient”: stainless steel. This top-quality metal is pharmaceutical-grade and can be used by women with all different skin types, including most with sensitivities.

Our company’s products, including the Skin Soothing Hair Nix Gel, will always be formulated without junk like fragrances, preservatives, or dyes. That’s because we believe that beauty should be natural and completely chemical-free.

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