The Nasty List

We always try to inform you, our viewers, what to look for in your skin and hair care products and what to eventually buy. But we thought it was time we make you aware of what not to look for in your beauty products. We bring you a list of nasty ingredients which you should bid goodbye to and never look back on them... ever!

Beauty products have harmful chemicals and we have been aware of this fact since time immemorial. And our skin and hair absorbs most of these toxic chemicals! 

Here are some alarming facts about the commonly used beauty products which have harmful ingredients in them and are most probably not in your knowledge.

1. The average woman uses 12 personal care products each day containing 168 different chemicals!
2. An estimated ⅓ (one-thirds) of some 4,000 ingredients listed as “fragrance” have the potential of being toxic? Know that ‘fragrance’ is not an ingredient (& your skincare products should have transparency and labelling of all ingredients).
3. Parabens and Sulfates in your shampoo are found to irritate eyes, skin, and lungs with long-term use.
4. Lipsticks have more arsenic levels than the allowed standards.
5. Mineral Oil is found to cause side effects on your health in the long term.

Besides these, there are other ingredients, which can be called as Nasty or Questionable Ingredients that are present in your skin, hair care and beauty products. We at Vanity Wagon, make sure to exclude these ingredients, or what we like to call as, blacklist them completely! Below is a list of them to keep you aware and informed of what not to look for in your skincare items.

1. Parabens

The most commonly heard of all, parabens is found in shampoos, body washes, face cleanser, body wash, body lotion and foundation. They are used as artificial preservatives to make your personal care products last longer, as they prevent the growth of bacteria and molds. But excessive and regular usage of products containing parabens can cause a lot of side effects, including inflammation, makes the skin brittle, increase skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and UV rays causing skin cells to die at a much faster rate and ultimately leading to premature ageing. Parabens aren’t directly written on the mono cartons of the products. Instead look for methyl-paraben, ethyl-paraben, propyl-paraben, isobutyl-paraben and propyl-paraben, and stay away from them!

2. Sulfates

A broader term for other synthetic sulfate-based chemicals you may be concerned about are known as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), which you probably might have heard and seen a lot many times! They are mostly found in shampoos, body showers and bubble baths and can cause skin irritation and even trigger allergies.

3. Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a preservative widely used in cosmetics. Traces of it can cause irritation on the skin, eyes, nose and throat and high levels of the same can be carcinogenic in nature, which can be linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity. Look for formaldehyde in personal care products (shampoo, body wash, etc) under the name of Methanol, (phenylmethoxy-), sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (Bronopol), and several other elements.

4. Phthalates

Found in nailpaints, hair sprays, aftershave lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfumes and other fragrance preparations. Commonly seen as Dibutyl-phthalate (DBP), Dimethyl-phthalate (DMP) and Diethyl-phthalate (DEP) on mono cartons, be alert of buying any product containing the same. “Researchers have linked phthalates to asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development and male fertility issues.”

5. Triclosan

This is found in liquid soap, soap bars, and toothpaste and is linked with side effects on the human reproductive system. Its exposures come mainly by absorption through the skin or through the lining of the mouth and have resulted in contact dermatitis, or skin irritation, and an increase in allergic reactions, especially in children.

6. Oxybenzone

Mostly found in sunscreens and lotions and used because it absorbs UV-A ultraviolet rays of the sun. But its side effects include dizziness, itching and swelling. So it's best to avoid it!