Consider Cetaphil, Neutrogena, and Mario Badescu. You may be asking yourself, what do they have in common? Yes, they are all popular skincare brands, but what most people are unaware of is that they have all been found to use toxic ingredients in their products. Skincare companies have recently been exposed for their use of toxic ingredients, and now that this information is available to the public, it is crucial that consumers swap out the harmful products in their daily routine for clean ones. 

A main concern prompted by the discovery that skincare brands are using toxic ingredients is the risk of cancer associated with these ingredients. One toxic ingredient that has been labeled a carcinogen, or cancer-causing ingredient, is parabens, which have been found in common face washes. Additionally, coal tar, another carcinogen, has been found in face creams, specifically, those aimed to reduce redness in the skin. Formaldehyde is a well-known carcinogen and has been linked to skincare products recently. Toxic chemicals in skincare products can be extremely harmful to one’s health over time, as the chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream when the product is used on the skin. 

Unfortunately, most consumers are unaware of the threat that their skincare products pose. Consumers trust mainstream brands, like Neutrogena, because of their reputation as a leading brand in the skincare industry. This automatic assumption that products must be safe if they come from a reputable company is how consumers are putting themselves in danger today. Consumers are not necessarily at fault, as these companies using toxic chemicals cleverly advertise their products in a way that makes them seem as though they are truly safe by only noting the presence of chemicals in the fine print ingredients list, which consumers typically do not read when purchasing a skincare product.

There are options, however, that do not force consumers to compromise their health for a moisturized face. Brands that abstain from using toxic ingredients have been labeled “clean skincare brands.” Clean skincare brands use natural ingredients as an alternative to toxic chemicals, making them safer for consumers. 

One of my favorite clean skincare brands is Supergoop. Supergoop sells sunscreen that is free of parabens and other toxic ingredients. Another one of my favorites is Fresh, which makes safe face moisturizers. Laneige is another clean skincare brand that offers a variety of safe products, from lip masks to moisturizers. 

The only downside to switching to clean skincare products is the higher price tag. While moisturizers with toxic chemicals cost around $15, moisturizers from clean skincare brands cost about $30. This means that consumers must choose if they would rather risk their health or possibly risk their bank account. In my opinion, spending an additional $15 for clean skincare is much smarter in the long run than increasing one’s chances of health issues.