When it comes to our skin, it's our responsibility to be cautious about what ingredients we're exposing it to. The skin should be treated delicately, especially the area around the eyes. Safety and awareness should be a top priority when deciphering which skincare products to use so we can advocate for our own skin health.
The skin surrounding your eyes, especially compared to other parts of the face, is significantly thinner, delicate, and more fragile. This vulnerable and sensitive area is, therefore, much more susceptible to dryness.
Our skin's natural oil production decreases as we age, becoming more dry in general. Still, because the skin around our eyes has explicitly fewer oil glands, it's already dry, to begin with.
You may be surprised to hear that the United States currently only forbids 11 substances in cosmetics that are suspected to be harmful. On the other hand, the European Union has outlawed the use of over 2,400 potentially dangerous cosmetic ingredients. (1)
There is a lot of flexibility in the cosmetic industry in the United States. Because of that, it's essential to be vigilant about checking the ingredients in your favorite beauty and skincare products as there may be ingredients of concern possibly linked to harmful side effects. It's critical to read and understand your ingredient labels.
You can avoid these ingredients if you are vigilant and discerning about what products you use and exclusively invest in clean, organic, and natural products. However, keep in mind that "natural" and "organic" are not synonymous with "acne-safe." They still require you to research and check the ingredients. The experts at CLEARSTEM have created a comprehensive pore-clogging ingredient list that you can use when shopping for products to make sure they won’t cause or exacerbate acne.
When you're looking for a powerful yet safe eye cream, it must meet a few requirements. For starters, double-check that it doesn't include any flat-out harmful substances.
For example, does it contain mineral oil, petroleum jelly, or parabens? If so, you'll want to keep shopping.
So, what ingredients should we look for that will be high impact, but 100 percent natural and safe? When it comes to finding the proper gel or cream to apply to your periorbital area, nourishing botanicals, stem cells, and peptides should all be on your must-have list.
CLEARSTEM’s BRIGHTEYES eye gel has it all. It's made with 100 percent non-toxic and nourishing ingredients potent enough to reduce puffiness, crow's feet, and dark circles, but still gentle enough for the entire eye area. It can even be used as an overnight lip treatment!
Now that you have an idea of the safe, natural, yet highly effective ingredients, here are some important ingredients to avoid that can be toxic in your skincare regimen and cause more harm than good when applied to the delicate eye area and face.
What ingredients should not be in your eye cream?
1. Parabens
Often found under the labels of (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl) parabens have been used within the beauty and cosmetic industry for years. Parabens are chemical preservatives. Their primary use in the beauty and cosmetic industry has been to extend the shelf life of beauty and cosmetic products. (3)
However, more recently, a sense of concern has come from the world of long-term paraben exposure and usage. The label "paraben-free" refers to the total absence of these potentially hazardous substances from a product's contents.
What harm can parabens cause? For starters, parabens have been proven to disrupt hormones in the body. There is evidence that parabens can mimic the effects of estrogen, which has been linked to cancer and infertility. In addition, skin rashes and allergies are other frequent side effects of parabens. (10)
These are preservatives present in a range of cosmetics. They're the most well-known chemicals to avoid. Because cosmetic goods only utilize a very minimal concentration of these compounds in their formulas, parabens in their current form are legally considered safe to use by European and FDA standards (up to around 0.4 percent, though measurements do differ for each paraben). However, some people with sensitive skin may find any amount of parabens bothersome. (11)
Parabens are actually able to imitate the estrogen hormone in humans. So regardless of your gender, parabens could wreak havoc on your system and disrupt the body's delicate hormone balance.
This disruption is so concerning because, through the endocrine system, parabens also harm reproductive processes such as pregnancy and menstruation. Because parabens are so easily absorbed into the skin, and due to the extreme amount of cosmetic and beauty products that contain them, everyday use of paraben-containing beauty products might cause them to build up in your system. (4)
2. Synthetic Fragrances
Natural fragrances and products are manufactured with natural, raw materials like isolates. Isolates, often called essential oils, are compounds that have been naturally isolated from a botanical.
Synthetic perfumes linger longer than natural fragrances, which is one of the most notable contrasts between the two types of scents.
Because natural perfumes lack non-synthetic components that make a scent more vibrant and last longer, they fade rapidly. Synthetic odors are the most common source of irritability in the cosmetics industry.
The element of adding a synthetic fragrance to a skincare product often defeats the purpose of a skincare product by introducing a risk that counteracts the actual benefit of the skincare product in the first place. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, these smells are the primary cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis (AAD). (5)
3. DEA (diethanolamine)
Diethanolamine (DEA) is a wetting ingredient commonly found in shampoos, skincare products, and cosmetics. It produces remarkable consistency in skincare and makes a rich lather in shampoos.
When mixed with other substances in shampoo, cream, or lotion, it produces nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). This highly carcinogenic molecule is readily absorbed through the skin. In addition, it's been related to malignancies of the stomach, bladder, and intestine. (6)
Polyethylene glycol is a kind of polymer (PEGs). Polyethylene glycol, "propylene glycol (PG), and butylene glycol (BG) could all be petroleum-derived and irritating to the skin," Shrestha explains. Chemical thickeners are occasionally encountered in cream-based goods. (6)
Siloxanes In cosmetics are used to soften and smooth the texture of moisturizers when applied to the skin. These compounds, also known as cyclical silicones, are present in many cosmetic and skincare products. However, they're still bad for the environment and have been connected to endocrine disruption. (7, 1)
Where to Buy Non-Toxic Skincare & Makeup
There are several places to purchase non-toxic natural and organic skincare online or in-store for every budget. Sephora offers a “Clean at Sephora” initiative where they offer 50 "formulated without" skincare products both in-store and online. (9) Just be sure to check for pore-clogging ingredients if you struggle with acne.
Target offers clean skincare products free of phthalates and parabens, for starters. It provides a wide range of categories, including cosmetics marked with a "Target Clean" icon online and in stores that promote content transparency for beauty-related products, including revealing industry secret contents such as fragrance.
Department stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Barney's, and Saks 5th Avenue offer lines of natural and organic beauty and skincare products free of sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and mineral oil, to name a few.
It’s also an amazing idea to check local clean beauty retailers and boutiques for purchasing acne-safe and non-toxic beauty products. Shops like Credo Beauty, The Detox Market, Aillea Beauty, and Shop Good are highly reputable and trusted retailers that offer both online and in-store ways to purchase clean and organic products. They hold some of the most rigorous and strict ingredient standards in the clean beauty industry.
Because so many skincare products and skincare lines are now found online, it's always an option to search for organic, clean, and safe skincare lines on the internet. For example, CLEARSTEM Skincare offers powerful products to combat acne and signs of aging that won't damage your skin, harm your health, or clog your pores, and all products can be ordered online.
CLEARSTEM offers skincare products and guidance from experts that want what you want - healthy, clear, and radiating skin with the confidence that all the products you’re using are effective, non-toxic, and safe.
Sources:
Source 1: 18 Ingredients a Clean Cosmetic Chemist Would Avoid https://www.byrdie.com/toxic-beauty-ingredients-4782646
Source 2: The Ultimate Guide to Clean Beauty https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/skin-care/a28352553/clean-beauty/
Source 3: What Does Paraben-Free Mean in Beauty Products?https://www.healthline.com/health/paraben-free
Source 4: What Does Paraben-Free Mean in Beauty Products? Safety Issues https://www.healthline.com/health/paraben-free#safety-issues
Source 5: The Truth About Fragrance-Free and Scented Beauty Products, According to Derms https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/makeup/fragrance/fragrance-in-beauty-products
Source 6: Ingredients to Avoid https://www.nylskincare.com/pages/ingredients-to-avoid
Source 7: What is Polyethylene glycol?https://www.theskincarechemist.com/glossary/polyethylene-glycol/
Source 8: Siloxanes in Cosmetics Why Should You Avoid Siloxanes?https://helenatur.com/en/siloxanes-in-cosmetics/
Source 9: Where To Shop for Organic and Natural Beauty Products https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/a28569672/where-to-buy-organic-makeup/
Source 10: What are Parabens? The Truth About Skincare’s Biggest Bad Guy https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/skin/articles/a36356/what-are-parabens/
Source 11: Are Parabens Bad for You? Here's Everything You Need to Know https://www.byrdie.com/what-are-parabens
