The skin is the largest – and also one of the most important – organs in our body. It performs a plethora of vital functions like protecting other organs, bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves, so it makes sense to be extremely mindful of what we are putting on it!

Did you know that up to 60 percent of what we put on our skin gets absorbed? That means the products we put onto our skin have a significant effect on our overall health and wellbeing. And as more and more ingredients found in traditional skincare and makeup are linked to health issues such as allergies, eczema, cancer, hormonal disruption, and reproductive problems, there is simply no excuse for turning a blind eye.

Reading ingredient labels is a burden that shouldn’t fall on you, but unfortunately, it does. Beauty brands are willing to spend serious coin on marketing, packaging, advertising, influencers, and more…all to get you to buy their product, no questions asked. What matters the most to us is whether or not a product is safe, so it’s time to focus less on fancy packaging and more on formulation.

Here are five of our top picks when it comes to potentially harmful ingredients that just may be lurking in your makeup…

Parabens

Fortunately, many people are now aware that they should avoid parabens and it’s becoming easier and easier to find “paraben-free” products. Propylparaben and Iosbutylparaben are the ones to really keep an eye out for due to the fact that they associated with certain types of cancer. Where are you most likely to see them? Everywhere. From household cleaning products to the makeup you apply on a daily basis, parabens are some of the most common preservative agents across multiple categories.

DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), and TEA (triethanolamine)

Okay, that was three, but bear with us as they are each as bad as each other! Clear, colourless, viscous liquids with ammonia-like odours, they are usually found in products that foam like facial cleansers and soaps, but also often in eye makeup.

Alcohol

This ingredient may appear in your products in a few different forms. SD Alcohol, Denatured Alcohol, or Isopropyl Alcohol are all terms to look out for, and they are all very drying to the skin. You’ll often find them on a makeup label that also touts benefits like quick-drying or matte finish, and they are a common trigger of eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.

Fragrance

While synthetic and natural fragrances are often added to products to make them smell nice, your skin considers them an irritant and they are the number one reason that dermatologists are seeing a rise in severe sensitivity. Companies are allowed to hide their proprietary blends behind the word ‘fragrance’, so when you see it written as an ingredient, you actually don’t know what’s in it. For that reason, we encourage you to do your research and shop fragrance-free if you can.

Toluene

This is one for those of us that love a regular mani and pedi, as it regularly crops up in nail polish formulas. It’s actually a solvent that is toxic to the liver and immune system, and thankfully many nail polish brands are catching on that this nasty has no place in their products. Look for brands that are “3 free” or higher, many of whom still deliver great colour payoff.