Sometimes we just grab a product, because of its marketing effect on us. However, there are certain ingredients that we have to avoid for healthy glowing skin. Learn what these ingredients are.

Ingredients for everyone to avoid

1. perfume. When reading skin care packages make sure it says no perfume. Sometimes ‘scent free’ can be misleading, and will still contain some kind of perfume. Perfume, especially used over a long period of time, tends to make the skin more sensitive. Eventually this sensitivity breaks down the skin barrier function, and leaves the skin ‘open’ to irritants. This might lead to irritation, itchy skin, ‘broken’ skin, redness, breakouts, dry skin (like contact dermatitis). If you are like to apply perfume, then by all means apply it over your clothes, and not on your neck, etc. Applying perfume to your neck can also cause pigmentation to the area.
2. all natural botanical ingredients, such as essential oils. Again these cause irritation to the skin over a prolonged period of time. The only ingredient that would be ok is aloe vera because of its soothing and hydrating properties.

Ingredients to avoid according to your skin condition

1. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, avoid rich products that contain ingredients like butter, oil and are usually labelled as cream. Instead choose a lightweight formula usually labelled as lotion, such as the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM which has ceramides and niacinamide, and can be used in the morning and at night.
2. For those with sensitive, itchy skin, avoid ingredients that contain an acid, such as salicylic acid. Treat the skin with a good moisturizer first, such as the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream to restore the skin barrier.
3. If pregnant or breast feeding, avoid products that have any form of Vitamin A (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinoic acid a.k.a. tretinoin). Instead choose a product which has azelaic acid. In Canada this is available only by prescription, such as Finacea 15%. In the US, azelaic acid can be found in some products such as The Ordinary and Paula’s Choice.

In general

A general rule of thumb is to avoid long ingredient lists on skin care products. The shorter the ingredient list the better.