Whether you're a man or a woman, skincare should be an essential part of your everyday life. Taking the time to properly take care of your skin can not only make you look great, but it can make you feel great too. Many organizations work to inform consumers about the ingredients contained in skincare products, and according to them, women tend to use an average of 12 products per day, while men average about half that amount. Taking care of your skin is incredibly beneficial and can provide numerous benefits.

ALZIBA CARES wants to make it easier for you to make educated decisions on your skincare so that you no longer feel like you are carrying the burden of safety and non-toxicity. This guide will help you understand what's in skincare, and how they affect you and the environment. When reading a list of ingredients for skincare products, be aware of common ingredients that you should avoid.

Understand Why Human-Safe Skincare Products are Important

Are you considering switching to human-safe skincare products? It all starts with understanding why certain ingredients are bad for you and others are beneficial. Knowing the difference between the two is key to finding the right clean beauty products that work for you and your health.

The beauty products we put in and on our bodies are made up of ingredients. Some of these ingredients are toxic and can be hazardous to our health. Here's why we should take a closer look at the ingredients in our products so we can keep ourselves safe:

Endocrine Disruption: Some ingredients can disrupt our endocrine system, which is responsible for how our bodies make and regulate hormones. Ingredients like phthalates, sodium laureth sulfate, triclosan, and PEGs all have been linked to hormone disruption, which can cause serious health concerns. 

Carcinogenicity: Toxic ingredients can also be carcinogenic, meaning they increase the risk of cancer. Carcinogens, such as diethanolamine, formaldehyde, and butylated hydroxyanisole, can be commonly found in these everyday products. It's no secret that formaldehyde, for instance, is linked to an elevated risk of nasopharynx cancer and leukemia.

Can Be Fatal: Certain ingredients have been known to be dangerous to non-reproductive organs, such as the liver and kidneys. Some of the most common culprits include Triethanolamine, Parabens, and Methylchloroisothiazolinone. If inhaled, these ingredients can even be fatal.

Allergic Reactions: When using skincare, the last thing you want is a bad reaction. Unfortunately, certain toxic ingredients in cosmetics can cause irritation, redness, and allergic reactions in the skin. Ingredients like Fragrance, Sulfates, Essential oils, and various metals are the most likely culprits of these reactions. It's important to remember that skin reactions can vary from person to person.

What Human-Safe Skincare Doesn’t Look Like

Many of the chemicals used in cosmetics can be toxic and can cause everything from mild irritation to more serious health conditions. Taking a few moments to look over the list of ingredients may tell you the difference between human-safe skincare and harmful ones. Investing the time to double-check what you put on your skin is worth it. 

Here’s take a look at some: 

Surfactants

Strong Surfactants like Sodium Laureth Sulfate are cleaning agents found in many of our everyday household products. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, they are essential for breaking down and removing dirt, oil, and other contaminants. You'll find surfactants in products like foundation, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel, and more. These substances act as an emulsifier that helps bind ingredients together, as well as thicken products and create a lather.

While these sulfates help to remove dirt and oil from the skin, they can also leave it feeling irritated and dehydrated. Exposure to sulfates can cause a reaction in the skin, intensifying allergies and causing redness, itchiness, and other irritation. When sulfates are not washed away properly, their residues can deplete the levels of ceramide in your skin,

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is widely used in skincare, primarily for its skin-lightening properties. It is used to treat a variety of pigmentation-related skin issues, such as acne scars, freckles, melasma, age spots, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The way hydroquinone works are by reducing the amount of melanin produced by melanocytes. However, hydroquinone is a known carcinogen, meaning that long-term use can be harmful to your body.

Alcohol

If you've ever read the ingredients label of your facial cream or moisturizer, you might have noticed something called alcohol pop up at the top of the list. Chances are, you've skipped over it with no further consideration. Alcohol can be a harsh, skin-drying agent. Continuous use can disrupt the skin's natural renewal process, leaving your skin barrier compromised.

Packaging Concerns

When it comes to skincare, most of us are already aware that it's important to select products that are safe for our skin. However, it's also necessary to make sure that the packaging is both healthy for us and the environment. Jars with an open top are more likely to be contaminated with bacteria and should be avoided. 

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of contamination is by using airless packaging. Since airless packaging does not allow bacteria to grow, ALZIBA CARES has created pump-operated products with one-way valves that prevent air from entering the open container. This helps prevent bacteria from entering and contamination from occurring. Additionally, their careful manufacturing processes also ensure that the jars and bottles are sterile before even products enter them.

Misleading Marketing

For many people, skincare is an important part of everyday life. But with so many marketing tactics used to promote skincare products, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to choose the right products for you. 

One of the easiest and most effective ways to choose the right product for you is by reading labels. All products must list their ingredients, so make sure to read everything carefully. Once you have the ingredient list, perform a bit of research like looking at their websites and what ethical practices that brand aligns to. This can give you a clearer understanding of the effects that the product may have on your skin.

To Conclude

In conclusion, it is essential to pay attention to not only the health of your skin on the outside but also its protection on the inside. Human-safe skincare products are a great way to do this. They protect your skin from the sun, irritation, and other environmental factors while helping to maintain its natural protective barrier. They also provide your skin with essential nutrients that aid in skin repair and cell regeneration. Finally, trusting in human-safe skincare products can provide you with greater assurance that your skin will stay healthy for a longer period.