It’s no secret that most men care less about their skincare and haircare than women do. Women typically have their skincare routines all figured out while men usually just splash their face with some water and apply whatever moisturizer caught their eye at the drugstore. But, one place you certainly don’t want to skim over is the label as even natural products can hide harmful ingredients. Let’s take a look at the 3 most common culprits that could be doing your skin and hair a whole lot of trouble.
Alcohol
Most commonly found in astringents, toners and aftershaves, alcohol can have a drying effect and increase breakouts on your skin. While not all types of alcohols are bad for your skin, it’s the simple and aromatic alcohols you should be aware of. You’ll typically see these alcohols on your labels listed as “isopropryl alcohol, SD alcohol, or denatured alcohol” and they’re responsible for that fresh, cool, or weightless feeling. These same alcohols will weaken, aggravate, and cause dryness to the skin’s surface, so it’s best to stay clear from them. Instead, using a natural alternatives like oils and serums that are full of antioxidants will be better for your skin in the long term.
Sulfates
Sulfates (SLS and SLES) are the foaming agent and bridge between oil and water. Typically found in soaps, toothpastes, and shampoos, sulfates break up the natural oils in the skin which means that it’ll be easier to clean, but it’s not all positive. Stripping the skin of oils is very harsh and can cause the skin to become tender and irritated, leading to inflammation. Instead, sulfate free alternatives should be used wherever possible.
Triclosan
Whenever you see a product advertised as antibacterial, it most likely has triclosan in it. A known hormone disruptor, triclosan can directly affect your mind, weaken your immune system, wreak havoc with your reproductive systems, and cause skin dryness. Natural antibacterial alternatives you should look for in your products are tea tree oil, cinnamon, and honey.