There is a magazine that many top skin pros subscribe to called Dermascope Magazine. I may not agree with everything they say, but they are and continue to be a wealth of information.
I would like to note and highlight an article they did in their 2009 October issue called Ten Things About...Toxic Ingredients. There are three types of ingredients that we really need to be conscious of even if you're not into natural skincare.
S.D. ALCOHOL
S.D. Alcohol is an ingredient used in SO many skincare products today. I know this because it's very difficult for my lash extension customers to find products without it. Alcohol loosens the bond of their glues.
According to Dermascope "S.D. Alcohol can cause severe dryness, hyperpigmentation and the defatting of the stratum corneum barrier which protects the skin". In other words that alcohol that companies are using high up on their list of ingredients is aging your skin faster by drying it out and compromising your skin's protection increasing your risk of acne and pigmentation! Look for the ingredient to be as low down on the list as possible if you can't avoid it.
MINERAL OIL
According to Dermascope "Mineral oil is an occlusive substance, meaning that it forms a surface film which hinders normal skin respiration." In plain English you're just putting a thin layer of plastic on your skin so it can't breathe.
Mineral oil is a very controversial ingredient. Some say it's not harmful while others say that it's been around for over 100 years and there's no harm in it. While there may be no harm in it, mineral oil prohibits the skin to function as it should. In my case mineral oil makes me feel like I can't breathe. I'm a person who sweats A LOT and products with mineral oil make my skin suffocate. If the skin can't function properly cells die and skin ages faster. End of story.
FRAGRANCE
"Fragrance" is a generic term that relates to a "proprietary" mixture of ingredients that could be one of thousands of chemicals in a perfume or skincare formula. Dermascope says fragrance "ranks as the most common cause of allergic dermatitis according to the American Academy of Dermatology". The EWG says the average fragrance has 14 chemicals not listed on the label (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702512/FRAGRANCE/)http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702512/FRAGRANCE/ Fragrance can also cause breathing problems and fertility issues! Not worth it.
The only other industry I know of that doesn't list their ingredients to the consumer is the wine industry. Wine could include up to 60+ ingredients that include formaldehyde and food coloring in order for wines stay consistent in taste. I find it so bizarre that water has to have a label, but wine does not!
I personally try to stay away from synthetic fragrances. Detergent is a HUGE culprit for giving me dermatitis (skin allergies) and perfumes never last long on me unless they are pure perfume oils.
At the end of the day there are too many companies that give us great product options without all of the nasties. It's important to know what we put on and in our bodies!
