It’s an unfortunate truth that many of the most common skincare ingredients can be very irritating, even to skin that isn’t particularly sensitive. Worse yet you’re no less likely to find some of them in luxury products than you are in drugstore ones meaning you really have to be looking at labels if you’re trying out new brands and worried about possible reactions. To find out the ingredients we should try particularly hard to avoid I turned to Dr. Vermén Verallo-Rowell, the founder of VMV Hypoallergenics. Here’s what’s on her “must avoid list:”
* Perfume/Fragrance – This can include essential oils and botanical additives and is one of the most common causes for allergies.
* Preservatives – These essentially are antibiotics, so just like some people develop allergic reaction to antibiotics for infections, some people develop allergies to preservatives.
* Parabens – This is a commonly used preservative. Years ago allergic reaction to parabens was very low but has been increasing through the years. Hence it is a preservative to watch.
* Propylene Glycol – This is a humectant in cosmetics that can produce allergic reactions.
* Lanolin – Often the contaminants of Lanolin – an animal-derived emollient – cause irritation or allergy to it.
* Colorant/Dye – Some, not all dyes/colorants cause allergies or irritant reactions on the skin.
* Conventional Emulsifiers – This group of chemicals is needed in cosmetics but a few are irritants or allergens.
* Mineral Oils – Environmentally inclined people are hesitant about using products like this oil which is petroleum derived.
* Sodium Laurel Sulfate – A common ingredient in detergents, soaps, and shampoos for its foaming effect, this can be an irritant to the skin especially when present in higher concentrations.