Harmful Ingredients In Cosmetics

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Always read the labels on skin care products. The truth is that some ingredients may do more harm than good. The more ingredients are listed, the more potential harm they can do to your skin.

Here is a list of some of the common ingredients found in skin care products that have the potential to irritate your skin:

• Ammonia
• Balsam
• Bergamot
• Citrus juices and oils
• Coriander
• Eugenol
• Fir needle
• Horsetail
• Lemongrass
• Marjoram
• Mint
• Papaya
• Sandalwood oil
• TEA-lauryl sulfate
• Arnica
• Bentonite
• Camphor
• Clove
• Cornstarch
• Fennel
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Lime
• Melissa (lemon balm)
• Oak bark
• Peppermint
• Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfate
• Thyme
• Balm mint
• Benzalkonium chloride
• Cinnamon
• Clover blossom
• Eucalyptus
• Fennel oil
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Linalool
• Menthol
• Orange
• Phenol
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Wintergreen
• Witch hazel
• Ylang-ylang

There are a few ingredients that are totally banned by the Food and Drug Administration and should be avoided:

• Bithionol
• Mercury compounds
• Vinyl chloride
• Halogenated salicylanilides
• Zirconium complexes in aerosol cosmetics
• Chloroform
• Methylene chloride
• Chlorofluorocarbon propellants
• Hexachlorophene
• Methyl methacrylate monomer in nail products