Harmful Cosmetic Ingredients: What You Need to Know

We apply all sorts of products to our face and body daily. But do you actually know what's in your make-up or cream? Some cosmetic ingredients can irritate your skin, disrupt your hormonal balance, or even be harmful to your health or the environment. If you want to choose safe cosmetics, it's important to know which ingredients to avoid and what to look out for.

Why are some ingredients harmful?

Cosmetics use fantastic ingredients that nourish, hydrate, and can even slow down the aging process of your skin. Unfortunately, too many products still contain substances that can unbalance your skin or unnecessarily burden it. This ranges from mild irritation to hormone-disrupting substances in cosmetics, or ingredients that accumulate in the environment.

Irritation and Allergies

Both synthetic fragrances and some natural oils contain allergens such as geraniol, linalool, citral, eugenol, and farnesol. These substances can cause redness, itching, or eczema, especially in sensitive skin over 40. Strongly drying alcohols and preservatives like methylisothiazolinone (MI) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) are also known as strong allergy triggers.

Hormonal Disruptions

Certain ingredients are linked to disruptions in hormonal balance. Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, butylparaben), BHA and BHT, benzophenones (such as oxybenzone), phthalates (DEP), and triclosan can mimic estrogen or affect hormone balance. For women over 40, it is especially important to be aware of these.

Accumulation and Environmental Impact

Microplastics (such as polyethylene) and mineral oils do not contribute to your skin's health, but they do contribute to environmental pollution. They are not biodegradable and remain in nature for a long time. Microplastics can also accumulate in the body. Reason enough to critically read labels and choose products without these controversial substances. Your skin and the environment will thank you.

The ingredients that may pose risks and are common are marked in the image below.

List of common controversial ingredients

Commonly used substances that you should preferably avoid include:

Parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butylparaben)

Parabens are used to extend the shelf life of products. The problem? They can mimic estrogen and thus disrupt the hormonal balance. Especially with long-term use, it is wiser to avoid them.

SLS and SLES (sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate)

These foaming agents clean so thoroughly that they can damage the natural skin barrier. SLS can dissolve the skin's natural oil layer. For sensitive or mature skin, this can lead to dryness, irritation, or a tight feeling.

Mineral oils (paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum, vaseline)

Mineral oils are by-products of the petroleum industry. They form an occlusive layer on the skin that helps prevent moisture loss. Sounds positive, but this occlusive effect can lead to clogged pores and an unbalanced skin in oily or acne-prone skin. Mineral oils are also not biodegradable and can harm the environment.

PEGs (polyethylene glycol)

PEGs are made with aggressive solvents and can weaken and irritate your skin barrier.

Synthetic fragrances (e.g., parfum, benzyl benzoate)

Perfume sounds innocent, but it can consist of dozens of chemicals that irritate your skin or cause allergic reactions.

Natural fragrances (geraniol, linalool, citral, farnesol)

Natural oils can also contain allergens that quickly cause skin reactions. Lavender and tea tree, among others, are known to irritate the skin, even though they are natural. Especially with sensitive skin, fragrance-free is a safe choice.

BHA and BHT

These antioxidants extend the shelf life of cosmetics, but they are linked to hormone disruption and possible carcinogenic effects.

Benzophenones (such as oxybenzone)

Widely used in sunscreens, but they can affect hormone balance and cause skin irritation.

Phthalates (DEP)

Phthalates help a scent last longer, but have been linked to hormone problems.

Formaldehyde-releasers (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea)

These are preservatives with a carcinogenic risk.

Microplastics (polyethylene, nylon-12)

They make your skin instantly smooth or give it extra shine. Sounds great, but these culprits accumulate in the environment and even end up in our bodies.

Aluminum salts (aluminum chlorohydrate)

Aluminum salts are widely used in deodorants. They temporarily constrict sweat glands, causing you to sweat less. It works effectively, but it's better not to apply them to your skin, as they are linked to hormonal disruptions and skin irritation.

Siloxanes (cyclopentasiloxane, cyclotetrasiloxane)

These are silicones that provide smooth skin, but can accumulate in the body and are controversial due to hormone-disrupting properties.

How to identify harmful substances on the label?

We completely understand that it can be difficult to make sense of the label of your favorite cream. Long, complicated names, abbreviations, and English or Latin terms. How do you know what's safe and what's not? Nevertheless, reading an ingredient list (the INCI) is the only way to truly know what you are putting on your skin.

With these tips, we make it easier for you:

• Scan the first five ingredients; these often make up 70-80% of the product.
• Check for fragrance or allergens. Words like "parfum," "linalool," and "geraniol" can cause irritation.
• Look for parabens, PEGs, or microplastics.
• Don't be fooled by marketing claims like "natural" or "dermatologically tested." This says nothing about the absence of harmful substances.
• In doubt? Check the ingredients online.

What does Blèzi do differently?

At Blèzi, we believe in clean and safe cosmetics, developed with respect for your skin and the environment. Our formulas are free from fragrances, allergens, parabens, SLS/SLES, PEGs, microplastics, silicones, mineral oils, and hormone-disrupting substances. We work exclusively with high-quality, purified ingredients from certified European suppliers and combine natural skincare without junk with innovative formulas that truly benefit your skin.

In addition, we are vegan, cruelty-free, and use refillable packaging. This way, we not only ensure healthy skin but also a better planet.

Frequently asked questions about ingredients and safety

• Are natural ingredients always better? Not always. Natural substances can also be irritating (think of certain natural essential oils, including lavender).
• How do I know what my skin tolerates? Start with mild, hypoallergenic formulas and use new products one by one. You can first test a new cream on the inside of your arm. If no irritation occurs, the cream is safe enough to apply to your face.
• What does 'dermatologically tested' mean? It only means that the product has been tested for skin tolerance, not that it is free of harmful substances.

Need help choosing safe products?

Looking for safe cosmetic products that suit you? Then our personal advice is for you! Feel free to visit a Blèzi sales point in your region, or with us in Den Bosch. Online advice is also possible. You can also email or call us: info@blezi.com or +31 073-5210167. We are available by phone on weekdays between 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. We are happy to help you!