A List of Beauty Products I Stopped Using. Here’s Why
When it comes to skin, hair, and all products hygiene and beauty related, I usually just use the brand everyone else is using. Sometimes if I see a commercial on TV for a face wash, I just have to try it. I always fall victim to advertising and marketing tactics when it comes to buying products. I let others convince me what will clear my skin or clean my hair. But I never really considered if these products were actually healthy for me. I didn’t pay attention to what substances and chemicals were actually in these products and how harmful they could be to my body and my long term health. This past summer, my mom and I started to gradually change our lifestyle a little bit, essentially trying to be healthier in all aspects of life. From exercising more to eating the right foods, we eventually researched what beauty products we should be using. Although finding the right kind of products to use is still an ongoing process, we did stumble across some beauty products that we’ll never use again. And the results are shocking.
Before I dive into these harmful products, one source we found to have the most shocking results was from cancer survivor Racheli Alkobey on the site Who What Where. Alkobey notes in her article that you “should absolutely avoid parabens, sulfates, leads, and synthetic fragrances (which are hormone disruptors and possible carcinogens.)” Similarly, an article from Fox News notes formaldehyde, phthalates, and triclosan to additionally be harmful chemicals.
1) Neutrogena Makeup Wipes
This product I found to be the most shocking. I don’t know about you guys, but I used to use this product everyday. I just saw it as the makeup wipes to use, and it never helped when stores like Target would purposely put these wipes in the middle of the isles to influence you to buy them. As an alternative, I use Aveeno or Trader Joe’s Makeup wipes.
2) Shampoo with Sulfates
A couple years ago I stopped using shampoos with sulfates simply because I thought it stunted hair growth. Now I see why using shampoo with sulfates can be so bad for you for so many other reasons. I ditched my sulfate filled shampoos and traded it for Not Your Mother’s and Ogx brands.
3) St. Ives Face Scrub
I used to use this all the time, thinking the products exfoliants would magically clear my skin. Yet it did the exact opposite. According to Glamour, a lawsuit was filed against St. Ives in 2017 in which the plaintiffs claimed “that the crushed walnut powder creates microscopic tears in your skin, exposing it to infections and irritation, and that its label’s claim of being non comedogenic (i.e., it doesn’t clog pores) was not correct.” As an alternative try Shea Moisture Facial Wash and Scrub.
4) Most Deodorants
I never knew this until recently, but a lot of deodorants contain aluminium which can be harmful to your body. Luckily, brands like Dove began to clearly state that they make deodorant with 0% aluminum, so I began using that brand.
If I’m being honest, this list can go on and on. So many products we use can contain harmful substances in them. Of course, if we use these products a few times it’s not going to kill us. But consistent use can cause damage. I’m still trying to learn about which products will be best for my health, and it’s a process to figure out. But gradually decreasing use of these products and carefully checking labels next time you purchase a beauty product can serve to benefit you in the long run. When in doubt, check out the website EWG’s Skin Deep to learn about how hazardous some beauty products are, and learn about some healthier alternatives.