Beauty
Here’s What Skincare Ingredients I Avoid With Sensitive Skin
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Dealing with sensitive skin can really put a wrench in your beauty routine. It’s always complicated testing new, trendy products; you never know what’s going to irritate your skin or cause another pesky flare-up.
Not only that, I’ve always felt like a scientist Googling different ingredients on product labels like Methylisothiazolinone—excuse me, what? Navigating labels can confusing, so here’s a list of the common culprits to be on the lookout for when you’re shopping in the skincare section:
Sulfates
The ingredient that makes your favorite shampoo foam and lather, sulfates have a bad reputation of leaving skin a little too dry. Ingredients like sodium laurel sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate can strip your hair of its natural oils, as well as your skin. It can also be too harsh on sensitive skin, which leads to rashes or irritated skin. So, skip the lather and stick with a sulfate-free shampoo.
Fragrance
When you’ve got sensitive skin (like myself), the first thing dermatologists tell you to cut out is fragrance. Since companies aren’t required to disclose what exactly goes into their fragrance “recipe,” understanding the actual cause of a reaction can be virtually impossible. The good news? There are now tons of products marked as “fragrance-free” or “unscented” in the beauty aisle, which are likely the better option.
Dyes
With sensitive skin, getting your hair dyed can be a challenging process. Paraphenylenediamine (PPD), an ingredient commonly found in hair dyes, can cause an allergic reaction at the hairline, neck, and even around your ears. Whether you plan to dye your hair in-salon or use an at-home kit, there are options without PPD, such as Madison Reed or Wella Koleston Perfect Innosense.
Parabens
A preservative used to help products that contain water stay fresh and stable, parabens can cause an allergic reaction. While not considered particularly harmful to your health, parabens are more likely to irritate people who already have skin issues such as eczema, contact dermatitis, or psoriasis. When picking your products for skincare, body care, and makeup, look for paraben-free options.
