Have you ever examined the ingredients listed on the labels of your cosmetics or other skin care products? It can sometimes be difficult to understand what those ingredients are and what they are doing to your skin.  Sometimes, these ingredients are can be harmful to your skin is used in too high a quantity or used at all.  Often times they are used frequently simply because they are cheap to make and sometimes they are used because they are less effective forcing you to use more and come back to the store more often.  Take care to check your skin care and bath and body products the the most damaging ones listed  below.

Ingredients Commonly Found in Skin Care Products and Cosmetics that can be considered harmful.The following are just some of the synthetic chemicals that have been identified by scientific studies to be harmful to our health.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Often described as being "derived from coconut" to disguise their toxic nature, these chemicals are commonly used in shampoos, toothpaste, foaming facial and body cleansers and bubble bath. SLS and ALS can cause severe skin irritation, and are easily absorbed into the body, building up in the brain, heart, lungs and liver, leading to potential long term health problems. SLS and ALS may also cause cataracts, and prevent children's eyes from developing properly.

Paraben Preservatives
Parabens are widely used in cosmetics, deodorants, skin care and baby products to prolong their shelf life. They are known to be highly toxic and have caused rashes and allergic reactions. Recent scientific studies in the UK found a strong link between the use of parabens and the increasing rate of breast cancer in women. Researchers found a high concentration of parabens in 90% of breast tumors tested.

Propylene Glycol
Found in many beauty creams, cosmetics and cleansers, Propylene Glycol can cause skin rashes and contact dermatitis, and has been shown to cause damage to the kidneys and liver.

Isopropyl Alcohol
Alcohol is used as a solvent in many skin care products. It causes skin irritation and strips the skin of its natural acid mantle, promoting the growth of bacteria, moulds and viruses. It may also cause premature ageing of skin.

Aluminum
A common ingredient in antiperspirants, aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease.

Mineral Oil
Derived from petroleum (crude oil), mineral oil is commonly found as a main ingredient of face and body creams and cosmetics. Baby oil is 100% mineral oil! It coats the skin like a plastic film, clogging pores and stopping the skin from eliminating toxins, which can lead to acne and other skin disorders. Mineral oil serves a great purpose in products like sugar scrubs where it is mostly washed off afterwards, but should be avoided whenever found in lotions.  Other petroleum based ingredients include paraffin wax, paraffin oil and petrolatum.

Polyethylene Glycol  
Used as a thickener in skin care products and cosmetics, PEGs interfere with the skin's natural moisture balance, causing an increase in aging and leaving the skin vulnerable to bacteria.

Talc
Talc is a soft mineral used in talcum powders and cosmetic powders. Scientific studies have shown that routine application of talcum powder to the genital area is linked with a three-to-fourfold increase in the development of ovarian cancer. Inhaling cosmetic powders containing talc may also be harmful to long term health.

Examine the labels of your cosmetics, skin care or bath and body products carefully.  Whenever possible, choose lotions made with 100% natural oils, and bath products that do not use sodium lauryl sulfate.  Your skin will love you for it!