Top 10 Harmful Skincare Ingredients to Avoid & Natural Alternatives That Actually Work

You read the label or see the ad of any skincare product. You will find these frequently used terms, like natural, skin-safe, organic, chemical-free skincare, gentle, and for sensitive skin, but are the ingredients actually good for your skin? 

Your skin absorbs everything you apply to it. The chemicals in the skincare products might promise quick fixes, but can be harmful in the long run. Take parabens, for example. These synthetic preservatives extend shelf life but are known to disrupt hormones. Yet, they’re still found in many mainstream creams, lotions, and even face washes.

That’s why, you need to keep a tab on the toxic skincare ingredients, so that you can spot them before they hit your shelf and toss them out of your cart for good.

Why You Should Avoid Toxic Ingredients?

Knowing what's in your skincare is super important for keeping your skin healthy. Many skincare products have chemicals that can actually hurt your skin instead of helping it. Since our skin is porous, what we put on it can end up in our blood and mess with our health. 

Here’s what the harmful ingredients in skincare can do to your skin:

• The ingredients like parabens and phthalates can mimic estrogen and interfere with your endocrine system. 
• Synthetic fragrances, alcohols, and sulfates are common triggers for redness, itching, and breakouts, especially on sensitive skin. 
• Some chemicals give the illusion of smoother skin, but they actually strip away your natural oils and damage your skin barrier over time.
• Your skin absorbs much of what you apply, so the toxins can accumulate in your body, leading to long-term health concerns.

These toxic skincare ingredients are added to increase the shelf-life, improve the texture, or make the product smell better. Your skin doesn’t need them, and safer alternatives can do the job just well, or even better in some cases. 

Top 10 Ingredients to Avoid in Skincare

Here’s the list of top 10 skincare ingredients that you need to check in the label, and avoid them at all costs: 

1. Parabens

Parabens are synthetic preservatives in skincare and cosmetics. They prevent bacterial growth but mimic estrogen, disrupting hormone balance. They are found in a variety of skincare products, like soaps, lotions, and cosmetic products. 

How to identify? 

Look for methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben. 

2. Synthetic Fragrances

Fragrances are made with chemicals that are associated with respiratory disorders, skin allergies, dermatitis, and side effects in the reproductive system. There is no organizations that prohibits or restricts manufacturers from using synthetic fragrances. Besides, they are not even required to reveal what the fragrance is made of. So, if a product lists fragrance without mentioning its source, then it is better to stay away from that product. 

How to identify?

Look for the word fragrance or parfum. 

3. Alcohol

Toners and astringents frequently contain harsh alcohols, such as denatured alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, which deplete the skin's natural moisture content, leading to dryness, irritation, and an increase in oil production.

How to identify?

Look for Isopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol, alcohol denat, and ethanol. (Not all alcohol are bad, like cetyl, stearyl, etc), but these are the drying ones that can do harm to your skin. 

4. Sulphates

 Sulphates, such as SLS and SLES, make products foamy in cleansers, shampoos, and toothpaste. They create a bubbly lather, but they can be strong and remove natural oils, which can bother sensitive skin. SLES is milder than SLS, but both can dry you out. If you want something gentler for your skin, try products without sulfates.

How to identify?

Look for sodium lauryl Sulphate (SLS), sodium laureth Sulphate (SLES), and ammonium lauryl sulphate. 

5. Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is often found in skin-lightening products. It is used for treat pigmentation problem related to acne scars, freckles, melasma, age spots, and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It functions by reducing the melanin pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes. However, too much or prolonged use of it can cause whitening of the skin, because it reduces the melanocytes to a great extend. 

How to identify?

Look for the word hydroquinone, it is directly labeled. 

6. Phthalates

Phthalates are like little troublemakers that give products a pleasant scent and feel. Phthalates have been implicated in disrupting our hormones, which function as our body's traffic controllers. Therefore, it's crucial to read the labels on skincare products.

How to identify?

Look for diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP). If fragrance is mentioned, then there are chances that phthalates may be hidden in that. 

7. Mineral Oil

You can find this common byproduct of petroleum in makeup, sunscreen, and cleansers. It might have chemicals that can cause cancer, which could increase the risk for people if they use a lot of it.

How to identify?

Look for mineral oil, paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum, and white petroleum. Cosmetic-grade versions are purified, but the problem is in the low-quality ones. 

8. Lead

Lipsticks, eyeliners, and foundations can sometimes have lead, a dangerous heavy metal, due to impure colorings. Lead is not directly added to the lipsticks, but it is a major contaminant in the colors used to create lipstick. 

How to identify?

Lead is rarely listed in the labels. Hence, search for the lipsticks or cosmetic products with lead-free label. 

9. Sunscreen chemicals 

Sunscreens have become an essential step in many beauty and skincare routines. However, sunscreen can include chemicals which might absorb light, but they cause more damage than protecting it. Some chemical sunscreens can break down in sunlight, creating free radicals that can damage skin cells. They can contribute to premature aging and DNA damage, the very thing sunscreen is supposed to protect against.

How to identify?

Look for PABA, benzophenone, oxybenzone, ethoxycinnmate and homosalate. Go for mineral-based sunscreens, like zinc oxide or titanium oxide. 

10.  Polyethylene Glycol

Polyethylene Glycol, or PEG, is used as thickening agent in different skincare products, like lotions, sunscreens, and shampoos. Not only it can cause cancer and respiratory disorders, and it can strip off the natural oils (sebum) from your skin and trigger the oil-producing glands (sebaceous glands) to make more sebum, which makes the skin more greasy. 

How to identify?

Look for PEG-4, PEG-100, PEG-20 Stearate (the lower the number, the more likely it is to penetrate in the skin), polyethylene glycol, PEG Stearate, PEG Laurate, PEG Castor Oil, and PEG Oleate. 

The Best Natural Alternatives That Are Safe & Effective

Modern products and high-tech gadgets abound in the beauty industry, but newer isn't always better when it comes to solving some of the most prevalent skin care issues. So, here is a list of the top best natural skincare ingredients that should be key elements in your products.

1. Natural butter

Your skin can benefit from a boost of hydration from body lotions that contain natural butters like shea, almond, cocoa, moringa, and mango. It makes your skin feel incredibly soft, nourished, and supple right after the first use.

2. Vitamin C

A chemical-free skincare component, it brightens the skin, minimizes dark spots, and guards against free radical-induced environmental damage.  

3. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil hydrates, soothes, and calms irritated skin. Loved for its natural richness, it’s a go-to for tackling dryness, eczema, and psoriasis. Use it as a nourishing overnight scalp mask, but skip it on acne-prone areas, where it can clog pores and stir up breakouts.

4. Plant-Based Oils

Plant-based oils that deeply moisturize the skin without blocking pores or producing outbreaks include jojoba, Bergamot, Geranium argan, and rosehip oils.

5. Niacinamide

Niacinamide is good for all skin types. It helps make your skin stronger, boosts how flexible it is, and can make those little lines less obvious. It could also help lighten dark spots from age or the sun. It also helps with oily skin and redness. You can mix niacinamide powder into serums, creams, or lotions that are mostly water.

6. Potassium Alum

Potassium alum is a mineral that comes from nature and has been used as a deodorant for ages. Many people pick potassium alum because they don't want extra chemicals in their everyday products.

6. Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is a strong antioxidant and a natural swap for retinol. It encourages collagen production, which can make you look younger and make your skin bouncier. It's gentler on your skin than retinol, and you can even use it during the day. Consider adding it to your anti-aging stuff, like serums and lotions.

How to Read Skincare Labels Like a Pro?

So, you grab a new skincare product. What catches your eye first? Is it how fancy the bottle feels, a cool logo, or the idea that the stuff inside will give you amazing skin? Honestly, the ingredient list tells you a lot about what you're getting, even if it looks like a bunch of gibberish. So, let us understand the key tips to identify these harmful ingredients in skincare.

Top Product Picks from True Organic of Sweden

At True Organic of Sweden, we offer items with safe, natural ingredients that keep your skin healthy. Whether you want hydrating face creams, serums, or sulfate-free body creams, we offer products that blend well with your skin. Here are our most loved products:

• All You Need Is Me: It's a super gentle and nourishing balm that's safe for both moms and babies. The products don't have any harmful chemicals, just pure ingredients that your skin will love.
• Face It Serums: This serum works great for all skin types, giving your skin the hydration it needs, balancing things out, and helping to boost collagen without blocking pores.
• Undercover Agent: Our deodorant is made with 99% clean products. There's no aluminum or alcohol inside, and it gives you protection that lasts. Plus, it comes in a glass container that's good for the planet.

Bottom Line

Achieve healthier, brighter skin without sacrificing quality by removing these harmful ingredients from your skincare regimen. Always do your homework, read labels, and pick businesses that prioritize safety and openness. Enhance your skincare regimen with the simple and potent formulas from True Organic of Sweden. Get organic skincare ingredient-based products that will make your skin happy again right now!