Healthy and organic lifestyles are what we all strive towards. We shop organic, work out and make sure our diets are nutritionally dense. The one area a lot of us seem to forget is what we put on our bodies. Our skin is a vital organ. It protects us from the elements but at the same time is extremely absorbent (meaning what you lather on will eventually soak in). The ingredients on the back of our favourite beauty buys that we can barely pronounce are actually really harmful for our skin, bodies and our health.

Keep an eye out for these potentially harmful ingredients next time you’re cleaning out your beauty collection:

Parabens
Parabens are preservatives commonly found in moisturisers, hair products, and cosmetics to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mould. They’re known to disrupt hormone function and some studies have even been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

Phthalates
Phthalates are key components of plastics and are widely found in lotions, nail polish, perfumes, and hair spray. Phthalates are often toxic, however not even mentioned, instead remaining hidden in the term “fragrance” or not listed at all!

Formaldehyde
This preservative can be found in your mascara, nail polish and cleansers. It acts as a barrier to prevent bacteria growth, but is actually deemed a human carcinogen. Formaldehyde is also an irritant which can be a nightmare for sensitive skin and even the immune system.

Synthetic Colours
You can thank the toxicity of synthetic colours for your favourite purple shampoo. The additives used to create colour in some of our favourite products have been labelled as carcinogens and linked to ADHD in children.

Shop organic and avoid the worry— your skin will thank you for it!