6 Ingredients To Avoid in Beauty Products

Beauty product ingredient labels can be divisive. Marketers fight to get their ingredients on the label and once it is, they shout its name from the rooftops. So we’re more than familiar with all the good stuff, such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, and coconut oil. But what do we know about toxic ingredients that many would rather be swept under the carpet? Or some which should be relegated to the list of 'terrifying beauty trends of history'?

We’re here to bring some clarity to ingredient labels and get to the bottom of toxic ingredients you should avoid when stocking up on beauty products. Now let’s get our investigating hats on! 

1. Petrolatum (and its many names)

Interestingly, petrolatum hides its identity under various names. However, we’ve done our research and are pulling back the veil on this no-no ingredient. 

Most commonly known as petroleum jelly, this favorite medicine cabinet staple is hiding some hidden dangers under its squeaky clean image.

1st strike against petrolatum: It is actually a byproduct of petroleum refining, which means that it’s literally gasoline’s sibling. Since none of us would rub chemical-heavy gasoline on our face with a smile, it’s safe to say that petrolatum won’t ever be topping our list of "Favorite Beauty Ingredients".

2nd strike: Petrolatum can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Studies note that exposure to PAHs is associated with cancer.

3rd strike: Petrolatum is thick and oily. In other words, a huge culprit in clogging pores and causing skin inflammation. 

What to avoid:

· Petrolatum
· Petroleum jelly
· White petroleum
· Paraffin wax
· Paraffin oil
· Liquid paraffin
· Mineral oil

2. Fragrances

Sensitive skinned people, beware! Fragrances are not your friend. In fact, the scent-adding ingredient has quite a controversial reputation. You’ll find plenty of videos, reels and communities online suggesting that people toss their fragranced products in the bin, where you’ll agree they belong after you hear the following:

While you’ll often hear the argument that not all fragrances are bad, in reality what they are is bad in varying degrees. Fragrances are the leading cause of eczema flares among beauty products and are the most common causes of contact dermatitis. 

What’s worse is it’s been a free-for-all when it comes to adding fragrance to beauty products. Since there was no regulation, manufacturers were free to add as much or as little as they want and simply slap “Fragrance” on the label’s ingredient list. There will however soon be some changes to this with the recently passed Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act.

3. Parabens

Parabens are chemicals that help prolong the shelf life of of many products. The most well-known member of the parabens family and the most commonly used preservative in cosmetics today are methylparabens. Parabens take on a colorless, odorless, and tasteless form that make them appear relatively harmless.

Don’t be fooled though. Parabens are well known to disrupt hormone function, an effect that is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. This can wreak havoc on your body, which is why it’s worthwhile getting to know the main hormonal imbalance symptoms.

Possible allergic reactions include:

· Itching
· Bumps and blisters
· Dry, scaly skin
· Swelling, tenderness, or burning

4. Chemical sunscreens

When it comes to most lists of toxic ingredients to avoid in beauty products, chemical sunscreens might not register too high. Sunscreen is touted across the board and often considered a must-have in anyone’s skincare regimen. Despite sunscreen’s great reputation, not all sunscreens are created equal.

In recent years, studies have shown that many of the common chemical ingredients used in conventional sunscreens can be absorbed into the body’s bloodstream at higher concentration levels than the FDA’s safety threshold. Once there, these chemicals disrupt hormones and can cause redness, swelling, irritation and itching.

You don’t have to stop using sunscreen though! Instead, opt for one with more natural active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

What to avoid:

· Oxybenzone
· Avobenzone
· Homosalate
· Octisalate
· Octinoxate
· Octocrylene
· Bemotrizinol
· Methylisothiazolinone

5. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) & butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

You’ve likely come into contact with butylated compounds when slicking on a lip balm, gloss or lipstick. Their purpose is to keep lip products fresh for longer, but do we really want our lipstick to last for an eternity at the expense of our health?

BHA and BHT can form potentially cancer-causing reactive compounds in the body. The International Agency for Research (a subsidy of the World Health Organization) considers BHA to be possibly carcinogenic to humans. You can also add organ system toxicity, respiratory irritation and endocrine disruption to their rap sheet. On a slightly less serious note, they’re also known for triggering allergies and causing mild skin irritation.

Thanks to the butyl-free lip products on the market (such as our Henné lip gems, you can get silky smooth, nourished lips without sacrificing health or efficacy.

6. Hidden toxins

These are the ingredients that go bump in the night. You won’t see them, but you’ll certainly feel their terrifying effects. They’re of tainted origins, being picked up along the way during the manufacturing process. 

While not official ingredients per se, some are very toxic and include heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, nickel, barium, cadmium, chromium and cobalt.

These tricky toxins that go under the radar are just one out of a long line of reasons why you should really pay attention to where you’re getting your beauty products from and when in doubt, reach out and ask what their manufacturing practices are and if their products have been tested for heavy metals.

Other hidden ingredients to be aware of are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). One of these substances - taking on a much shorter and less scary name - is the highly popular teflon, otherwise known as what makes your pans “unstick.” Just as this substance can seep into your cooking, PFAS can also taint cosmetics that are manufactured on nonstick equipment. Believe it or not, some cosmetic manufacturers also purposely add PFAS to their products for ‘smooth and shiny skin’ – yikes. 

Finally…

We know you care about your skin’s health. That's why here at Henné Organics, we develop each of our formulas with you and your well-being in mind.

To achieve this, we are meticulous with every step of our production process, shunning the practices of larger manufacturers that lead to tainted or unwanted chemicals finding their way into final formulas. And to be extra sure, we also undertake third-party lab testing on our products to ensure they’re free from any contaminants, including heavy metals. We’re also proud to share that independent researchers have listed our lip tint as one of few lip products around without any PFAS.

Now that you know what toxic ingredients to avoid in beauty products, we’re glad you’ve discovered a place where you can shop with ease, knowing every product is clean and ethically produced. With Henné products, your lips and skin will look and feel amazing, all without sacrificing your health.