Let's Talk About Those Harmful Ingredients In Your Skin Care Products

Spending much time or money on skin care products isn’t a surefire way to get or maintain good skin. Why not? Many commercially available cosmetic and skin care products contain ingredients that can damage or harm your skin.

If your skin care routine isn’t working as well for you as you want it to, you might be using the wrong products. You could even buy expensive cleansers or moisturizers that only worsen your skin problems. 

Learning more about potentially harmful ingredients can help your skin. Dr. Karin Harp, MD, FAAD, FASDS, Dr. Aria Vazirnia, FAAD, Kristin Rupert PA-C, Sherri Anderson PA-C, Mary Hanna BC-NP, Lani Keene LE, Riley McCarthy RN, and the Apex Dermatology team know all about the complexities of aesthetics treatment.  

We advise our patients in the Westlake Village, California, area on skin care products and treatments to try and those to avoid based on potential problem ingredients. Here’s what you need to know.

Risky or harmful ingredients found in cosmetic products

Here are some commonly-present harmful ingredients to watch out for in your skin care products.

Problems with parabens

Cosmetic products, including cleansers, may contain parabens added as a preservative. Parabens can irritate sensitive skin and may also disrupt the healthy functioning of your endocrine and reproductive systems. Check labels before purchasing to make sure your skin care products are paraben-free.

Secret fragrance ingredients

Did you know that cosmetic companies aren’t required to disclose fragrance ingredients? “Secret formulas” can contain irritants, causing flare-ups, break-outs, and other issues for your skin. Fragrance-free skin care options are safer for your skin.

Harmful humectants

Moisturizing products and creams contain humectants. If your moisturizer contains

PEGs (polyethylene glycols), this type of skin conditioner and humectant can cause acute sensitivity in some individuals. If you suffer a skin reaction, look for ingredients like PEGs that might be causing your symptoms.

When you’re well-informed about the ingredients in your cosmetic products, you can select options that are more likely to work well for your skin and not cause any lasting issues.

Finding your ideal skin care routine

With all the potentially harmful ingredients in commercially available skin care products, how do you know what’s safe to use? Consulting with dermatology professionals gives you the peace of mind that comes from personalized advice.

In trying to navigate the tricky territory of irritating ingredients, you need experts on your side. Professional dermatology care helps you minimize exposure to ingredients that could cause endocrine disruption, hormone disruption, or even cancer, benefitting your skin and overall health.

Whether you have oily skin and chronic acne, aging skin that’s starting to show wrinkles or skin afflicted by scars or sun damage, we work with you to put together the right skin care routine for you. We can recommend cleansers, moisturizers, sunblock products, and in-office skin care treatments like microneedling and laser skin resurfacing.

For personalized, comprehensive skin care support based on hard science, contact the team at Apex Dermatology today. Schedule your initial skin care consultation online or over the phone now.