There are many chemicals that go into the manufacturing of personal care products. Most of them are added to improve the effectiveness and increase the shelf-life of the products. However, what’s good for the products need not be good for you.

Not all chemicals used in skin and hair products are harmful. A few are, in fact, essential to improve the efficacy of the product. However, there are some harmful chemicals that have been claimed to have an adverse impact on your health and the environment as a whole. We have rounded up the top offenders you should watch out for when you buy skin and hair products. 

Parabens

Parabens are synthetic chemicals with oestrogen-mimicking abilities that could cause hormone imbalance in your body leading to reproductive and developmental abnormalities, ranging from the early onset of puberty to cancer. That’s not all! Parabens can impair the health of marine life too.

Sulphates

Sulphate-based chemicals are widely used in personal care and cleaning products. These synthetic compounds are mainly derived from petroleum and palm oil that are bad for the environment. Palm tree farming is one of the prime reasons for deforestation.

SLS / SLES

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) are synthetic chemicals commonly found in skin and hair cleansers. Used for their ability to produce lather, they are highly effective cleaning agents. However, this very quality can also cause these chemicals to strip away skin’s natural oils, resulting in irritation and dryness.

Phthalates 

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastic durable. They are also used as solvents and in skin and hair products. However, studies have linked phthalates to a string of health disorders including asthma, type II diabetes, breast cancer, autism, and more. 

Mineral Oil

A by-product of petroleum, mineral oil is not a planet-friendly ingredient. However, it is still a popular choice of emollient in moisturizing skin and hair products. While it has strong moisturizing properties, it tends to remain on the skin’s surface, causing sebum build-up and clogging of pores. Regular use of mineral-oil-based products can lead to serious skin and hair conditions.      

Formaldehyde

If there was a ranking of the most harmful chemicals used in skin and hair products, formaldehyde would find itself at the top of that list. Formaldehyde or substances that release formaldehyde are commonly used preservatives in many shampoos, cleansers, and lotions. However, studies have time and again claimed it to be hazardous, linking the chemical to multiple cancers, asthma, and other health concerns.

If you find any of these ingredients in the skin and hair products you use regularly, then it’s time you switched to a healthier alternative. At Naturali, we have consciously kept all of these harmful chemicals out of our products to bring you gentle, nourishing care infused with the goodness of nature. Get the care your skin and hair deserve, Naturali!