I’m not going to talk about toxic skincare ingredients. That is a no-brainer. Of course you want to avoid toxic skincare ingredients because everything you put on your skin can filter through into your body. But there are natural skincare ingredients that are not so good for you either. Maybe you didn’t know? So, let me mention a few of the things you should avoid.:

Soapy Cleanser

One of the worst things you can use on dry skin is a soapy cleanser, even though it is tempting to use. People often get addicted to the foam in the cleanser because they don’t believe that the skin can get clean without foam. Plus, old, unhealthy habits are hard to break.

Alcohol Based Toners

After using a soapy cleanser that strips the oils away, people love to use alcohol based toners. Why? I don’t have the faintest idea! Alcohol is one of the most drying ingredients you can put on your skin, and unfortunately, 99% of toners on the market contains alcohol.

Clay Based Masks

Clay based masks should really only be used on oily skin. If your skin is already dry, don’t use it. It is as simple as that.
A non-drying Sandalwood face mask is a much better alternative. Sandalwood is known to detox the skin and create glowing, flawless complexion, improve circulation and calm down irritation. This totally outweighs the benefits of any clay mask.

Silicon Based Products

Silicon is not a toxic skincare ingredient, but it is still another culprit worth avoiding. Silicone makes your skin look smooth. That is why it is used in almost every makeup primer on the market. But it also creates a waterproof layer that makes it hard for your skin to breathe. Imagine wearing saran wrap on your face! Not only does it have a drying effect, but it can also clog your pores.

So forget about makeup primers. They make your skin look good on the surface, but in the long run, they have no benefit because they make your dry skin worse. Here is how you can tell if your products contain silicone: Any word that ends with -cone is some form of silicone, like “dimethicone” or “cyclomethicone.” Most of these are insoluble in water, which means that you can’t even wash them off unless you use a harsh detergent cleanser…

So, if you have dry skin, stick with simple things, like a cleansing sandalwood mask, a soap free cleansing cream, alcohol free toner, and moisturizers that contain water, hyaluronic acid and natural oils and butters. Your skin will thank you in the long run.

If you haven’t already done so, you might want to try some Green Beauty samples to start with. You can often feel the difference on your skin in just a matter of days…

Photo by Isabell Winter on Unsplash