The Ugly in Beauty Products

by Shannon Larsen — April 1, 2008

Many people avoid cosmetic products that either test on animals or use them in their ingredients, and I can't argue with that. But there's more to the no-no list that we're using in abundance on our skin. Check your labels - if it's got any of the following, you'll want to steer clear of the product:

Petroleum: Why would we use the same substance that fuels our cars on the most delicate parts of our body? Vaseline, Toluene, Paraffin wax, and Mineral Oil - these petroleum products don't penetrate the skin but rather sit on the surface, blocking the skin's ability to breath, excrete, and absorb nutrients. The "smooth" film these products form on your skin really only do two things for it: Create blemishes and dry skin.

Beeswax: Sometimes, everything you need to know about something is all in the name. Beeswax is a sticky sealant that when applied to your skin, does nothing but glue pollutants, dirt, and bacteria into your pores. It's great for smoothing your eyebrows into a shapely place, but then again, so is chapstick.

Collagen: It's hard not to be a sucker for really great marketing. When you see a cosmetic product wrapped up as if it just left a researcher's laboratory, boasting of "penetrating collagen for an instant facelift," you want to believe it's true. But the only way to replenish collagen into the skin is to inject it. Plain and simple - there is no other way. The collagen molecules are simply too large to penetrate the skin and get to where they need to go in the deeper layer. It can, however, block the pores and for many, cause allergic reactions.

Artificial fragrances: Near impossible to get away from, but it can be done. Long-term exposure can actually cause photosensitivity and other less-than-desirable skin reactions. Do yourself a favor, and get a really nice smelling shampoo. You don't need to perfume your face.