Do you want to make your own cosmetics at home? It’s a great way to save money, have control over the ingredients, and be creative with your beauty routine. Unfortunately, some common ingredients in homemade cosmetics are toxic. You need to be careful to ensure that your homemade products help your skin, not harm it. So, let’s take a closer look at the harmful ingredients you should avoid in your homemade cosmetics.
Fragrance Oils
Who doesn’t love smelling great? Unfortunately, the problem with fragrance oils is that they can contain synthetic chemicals that irritate the skin, cause allergies, and disrupt hormones. Some manufacturers don’t list these chemicals on their labels, so you don’t know what you’re exposing yourself to. Instead, select natural essential oils or skip the fragrance altogether!
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is an inexpensive and popular ingredient in many DIY beauty recipes. However, it’s also one of the ingredients to avoid when making lip gloss at home. The ingredient can clog pores and suffocate the skin. Not to mention, petroleum jelly can damage the environment.
If you want homemade products that will moisturize and protect your skin, choose natural alternatives, such as shea butter, coconut oil, or beeswax.
Microbeads
Microbeads are tiny plastic particles in exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste, and other personal care products. They’re not biodegradable, so the small beads end up in the ocean, harming marine life and entering the food chain. Instead of creating cosmetics that contain microbeads, try natural exfoliants like sugar, salt, or oatmeal.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that’s common in some cosmetics to preserve or improve their texture. However, formaldehyde is a harmful ingredient to avoid in homemade cosmetics because it’s a known carcinogen. It can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and respiratory issues. Luckily, you can use natural preservatives to extend the life of cosmetics. Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, and Sorbic Acid are popular (and safe) options!
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
SLS is a common ingredient in shampoo, body wash, and toothpaste to create a foamy lather. One tip for getting clear skin is to thoroughly cleanse your skin. However, you need to be aware of the ingredients you put in your cleansers, or they could be doing more harm than good. Unfortunately, SLS can irritate the skin and eyes and cause dryness and redness. When making your own cosmetics, look for natural surfactants, such as coconut oil or castile soap, as gentler alternatives to SLS.
Phthalates
Phthalates are plasticizers in cosmetics to create a more flexible texture. However, they can disrupt hormones, may cause reproductive issues, and have carcinogenic ingredients like dibutyl phthalate, DEHP, or DEP. Choose natural ingredients that provide an equivalent texture without harmful effects, such as beeswax or avocado oil.