If you see these red flag skincare ingredients listed on the packaging or find them in the product… quickly walk away! It would be nice if all skincare formulas were made with acne prone skin in mind, but in reality, having acne means paying a little extra attention when purchasing our products.
While not everyone’s skin will respond the same to every ingredient, and not all types of acne are related to pore-clogging ingredients, there ARE 5 top red flag skincare ingredients you need to be aware of when you’re using product.
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Argon Oil
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Ethylhexyl Palmitate
You will see these names (the first three at least) on the cover of shampoo and conditioner bottles, on lip balm labels and more. Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and Argon Oil are great for hair and skin… IF and only IF you don’t have the acne gene.
These offenders wreak havoc on porcelain skin.
Breakup with Red Flag Cocoa Ingredients
There is no use applying your acne medicine or serums at night if harmful cosmetics are going to “poison” your face during the day. Products containing comedogenic ingredients have to go if you want to get clear for good. This includes ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter and argon oil. All of these ingredients are highly comedogenic.
Not sure what ingredients are comedogenic? We have a pore clogging list that tells you all the things to watch out for in your makeup and skincare/haircare products.
It’s time to get consumer-smart!
Many beauty brands wouldn’t tell you this … but they’re secretly hiding harmful chemicals and red flag ingredients in their skincare products that can be detrimental both for your skin and your health.
Did you know that up to 60% of what you put on our skin gets absorbed? So, if you’re smothering it in toxic chemicals and preservatives, you’re directly hurting your skin – the body’s largest organ!
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Clogs Pores
This is one of the biggest offenders in haircare and body care products that cause acne.
Most commonly found in antibacterial soaps and cleansers, SLS is used to boost foam in products and eliminate grease. This ingredient is even more common than parabens – found in a staggering 90% of skincare products.
So, what’s bad about it?
It’s said to cause skin and eye irritations, allergic reactions, and hair loss.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is a Red Flag in Skincare
Did you know that about 90% of cosmetic products contain pore-clogging substances, including ethylhexyl palmitate?
What is ethylhexyl palmitate?
Ethylhexyl palmitate is a colorless, odorless liquid derived from palm oil that’s used as a skin conditioning emollient and to give products their slip. It’s similar in texture and sometimes used as an alternative to silicone.
This is because of its long shelf-life. Companies want to maximize profits, so they use ingredients like ethylhexyl palmitate instead.
A great first step is to pick out the products you have the most exposure to and switch them with clean alternatives or when you run out. Start with your foundation and lipstick; you put foundation all over your face (mostly everyday) and lipstick (because you usually end up ingesting it). Women on average eat 1 pound of lipstick a year.
The Bottom Line
While no one in the beauty industry intentionally set out to ruin the complexions of millions of women, this is exactly what’s happening. The wrong cosmetic ingredients are so potent that they cause acne.
Avoiding pore clogging ingredients is a good place to start in your clear skin journey. But before you toss out your whole makeup bag or trash your shampoos and conditioners – schedule an appointment with us. Let us help you pinpoint exactly what’s causing your breakouts.
Cheers to clear!
Rene