irritating ingredients in skincare

irritating ingredients in skincare

Exposed skincare ingredients, may seem like an odd title, but there are over 4000 allergens in cosmetics and personal care products.

Having worked in the beauty industry for many years, we have seen first-hand how damaging and irritating these allergens can be on your skin.

This is the reason, so many people suffer from sensitive skin problems.

Abrasive and astringent products can cause a cascade of inflammation, breaking down collagen and elastin, leading to premature ageing, the skins protective barrier becomes impaired, which allows bacteria and foreign bodies to penetrate, causing further damage.

Neither do those with oily skin get off lightly, especially acne sufferers, where sensitivity and inflammation are often present, what happens is that nerve endings in the pores become irritated, which activates the androgen hormones. These hormones are responsible for over secretion of oil production, which leads to skin that is out of balance, creating breakouts, papules, and pustules.

So as you can see, no matter what type of skin you have, it is really important to prevent inflammation, which we believe here at the Naked Chemist is at the root of all premature ageing.

If you’re keen to learn more and understand how to keep your skin free from inflammation, we have listed some of the skincare ingredients below to steer clear of, which could potentially irritate your skin.

Exposed, skincare ingredients to avoid

• Arnica
• Balsam
• Benzyl alcohol
• Bergamot
• Camphor
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Coriander
• Eugenol
• Fennel
• Fennel oil
• Fir needle
• Isoeugenol
• Linalool
• Marjoram
• Melissa
• Menthol
• Phenol
• Sodium C14-16 olefin  sulfate
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Synthetic fragrance
• Sulfate
• TEA-lauryl sulfate
• Witch hazel
• Aluminium compounds found in antiperspirants can cause rashes under your arms
• Acids designed to slough off the skin can be harsh for sensitive skin types, so always be sure to do a patch test first.

If you have an allergy to Nickel, which often shows in the skin as dermatitis, chances are you may be allergic to Cobalt which is often found in deodorants

For further reading the list of top 20 ingredients to steer clear of, is well worth a read, follow this link.