Long Term Effects of Using Products with A Lot Of Artificial Chemicals On Your Skin

Long Term Effects of Using Products with A Lot Of Artificial Chemicals On Your Skin

Blog Article

Have you ever really looked at the ingredient list on your skincare products? Unless you're using all natural or organic products, chances are you're slathering your face with synthetic chemicals every day. Many of these ingredients have never been tested for long term safety, artificial chemicals on your skin can have long term effects.

Keep reading to find out what could happen if you continue using chemically-laden products over many years.

Increased Sensitivity and Irritation
Repeated application of products with harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and fragrances often leads to red, irritated skin over time. The moisture barrier gets compromised. Skin becomes sensitive. Even products that never bothered you before suddenly sting and cause discomfort.

The inflammation worsens with continued use, disrupting skin's normal functioning. Be wary of products that make your face feel tight, dry or overly shiny after application. This is a warning sign.

Accelerated Aging
Habitual use of products with collagen-damaging ingredients causes premature aging. Ingredients like alcohol, mineral oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate degrade collagen and elastin in skin.

This leads to sagging, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity faster than normal. Sun damage worsens these effects. The longer you use these products, the more your youthful glow diminishes. Switch to gentle cleansers without irritating chemicals to preserve your skin's collagen.

Increased Acne
Acne occurs when pores get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Here’s what I mean:

Many common skincare chemicals like alcohol, fragrance, and coal tar derivatives are pore-clogging. Continued use can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed breakouts.

Fragrances, in particular, are high on the list of acne-provoking ingredients. The longer you use these products, the worse your acne may get over time. Look for oil-free products labeled non-comedogenic and fragrance free.

Disruption of Skin's pH Balance
Healthy skin has an acidic pH between 4 and 5.5. Many skincare ingredients like sulfates and vasoline are alkaline with pH levels around 9-10. Long term use throws off skin's normal pH balance, allowing harmful bacteria to grow.

This leads to inflammation, irritation, and possible infection. Always cleanse and restore skin's acid mantle with a pH-balanced toner after washing. Avoid bar soaps and foaming cleansers which strip skin.

Increased Sun Damage
Certain chemical compounds make skin more vulnerable to UV radiation, leading to accelerated signs of sun damage over time. Ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids, sulfites, and benzoyl peroxide increase sun sensitivity.

Continued use without adequate SPF protection while outdoors allows more UV damage to build up in skin cells and collagen over the years. Regular sunscreen use is vital when incorporating these ingredients in your skincare routine.

Oxidative Damage
Free radicals from pollution, sun exposure, and other sources increase oxidative stress in skin. Many skincare chemicals like synthetic fragrance and colorants, parabens, phthalates, and triclosan actually generate free radicals when applied to skin.

Over many years, this causes oxidative damage which accelerates aging. Using antioxidant-rich products can help neutralize these free radicals and protect your skin from their harmful effects.

Hormonal Disruption
Chemical compounds like parabens, phthalates, and sodium lauryl sulfate have been shown to disrupt normal hormonal activity in the body when absorbed through skin over time. This hormonal imbalance can potentially lead to issues like infertility, obesity, and even cancer. Be cautious about using these ingredients regularly for prolonged periods without taking breaks. Opt for cleaner products whenever possible.

Increased Chemical Absorption
With repeated use over many years, common skincare chemicals build up in your body because skin absorbs them into the bloodstream. Potential effects range from allergy, organ stress, and toxicity to hormone dysfunction.

Reducing your overall chemical load by using fewer synthetic ingredients may lessen chances of adverse health effects. Always patch test new products before trying them to make sure your skin can tolerate the ingredients.

Final Thoughts
Unless you make the switch to clean, non-toxic skincare, years of applying potentially harmful chemicals could damage your skin, health, and appearance over time. Pay close attention to product labels and avoid artificial dyes, fragrances, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, alcohol, mineral Dupes oil, and other synthetic ingredients as much as possible.

Invest in high quality, organic and natural skincare to nourish your skin safely for the long run. With healthier choices, your skin will thank you.