Taking care of your skin, especially during the summer season, is of utmost importance. While most follow the basic CTM — cleansing, toning and moisturizing — routine, along with sunscreen, others prefer experimenting with varied skincare ingredients for added benefits.
However, not every ingredient is beneficial for your skin. On the contrary, many commonly-suggested skincare products can end up damaging your skin, doing more harm than good. As such, dermatologist Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta listed a few such skincare ingredients that are “a disaster for your skin”.
Pure essential oils
The expert shared that some essential oils — like rose and lavender — contain compounds like geraniol, which is a common cause of contact dermatitis. “Only choose products with essential oil extracts within antioxidant-rich carrier oils to avoid problematic skin reaction,” she suggested.
Coconut oil
A common item found in Indian households, coconut oil is a strict no-no for your skin. According to Dr Gupta, “This is one of the most comedogenic oils out there. It can make breakouts worse by clogging surrounding pores on your face.”
It is a common cleansing agent and is usually found in shampoos, cleansers and body washes. However, if not washed off properly, it can make your skin dehydrated and reduce the levels of ceramide.
Benefits of using coconut oil for glowing skin
Thanks to its highly nourishing and nutritional properties, coconut oil for face helps diminish under-eye bags. It reduces puffiness and dark under-eye rings through its regular usage.
It is rich in antioxidants and good fatty acids that keep your skin soft, supple and moisturized throughout all seasons.
Coconut oil helps keep your skin hydrated when the moisture level in the atmosphere is less. *Cue winters.* Apply coconut oil on face, arms and legs after taking a shower to moisturize flaky, dry or dehydrated skin.
One of the lesser-known natural tips for glowing skin is using coconut oil as a natural face scrub. Just take half a teaspoon of sugar and mix it with a spoonful of coconut oil. Gently rub it on your face and neck in small, circular motions for one minute. This natural face scrub will slough off dirt and dead skin, while also giving you glowing skin naturally.
It is also an excellent antioxidant-booster that helps combat signs of premature ageing caused by free-floating radicals like pollution and UV rays.
Since it's greasy, coconut oil is widely used as a make-up remover. It easily removes dirt and make-up without irritating your skin. Take a penny-sized amount of coconut oil on a cotton ball and rub it on your face. Then, rinse off with a mild cleanser.
Coconut oil can also treat many skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and athlete's foot. Apply a thin layer of coconut oil on the affected region to soothe your skin.
Parabens
A common skincare ingredient — used as a preservative in cosmetic products — paraben is harmful to your skin. “Examples include methylparaben, propylparaben, isopropylparaben, and isobutylparaben.”
What kinds of products contain parabens?
Parabens are used in a wide variety of cosmetics, as well as in foods and drugs. Cosmetics that may contain parabens include makeup, moisturizers, hair care products, and shaving products, among others. Many major brands of deodorants do not currently contain parabens, although some may.
Cosmetics sold to consumers in stores or online must have a list of ingredients, each listed by its common or usual name. This is important information for consumers who want to find out whether a product contains an ingredient they wish to avoid. Parabens are usually easy to identify by their name, such as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, or ethylparaben.
You must be logged in to post a comment.