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Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by The Health Master
3 Tips: How to choose your Personal Care products
What should you look for in the ingredients section while buying personal care products?
Every day we use several products for skin and haircare. These products are directly applied to our skin and hair, so they directly affect our appearance. Do we actually look what these products contain or we simply rely on fancy advertisements and packaging to decide which product to use?
Basically consumers are more aware these days and want to know more about what they are buying. Today we are going to discuss about 3 BIG NOs to look for in the ingredient list viz:
3 BIG NOs
1. Sulfate surfactants
Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are the surfactants that are used in most of the cleansing products like shampoo, face wash, bath gel etc.
They are considered harsh as they strip off natural oil from our hair and skin, which makes our hair frizzy and skin even more dry and irritated.
People with sensitive skin and frizzy hair or people who have taken any sort of hair treatment should refrain themselves from using these products.
Sulfate- free shampoos are not only from natural origin but also creates a frizz-neutralizing affect and is mild on our skin and scalp.
Due to their mildness they create a little less lather than conventional shampoos but are not harsh on skin and hair and gives excellent cleansing.
Few sulfate free surfactants are Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinates etc.
TIP – MORE LATHER IS NOT THE CRITERIA FOR A GOOD SHAMPOO.

2. Mineral Oil or Petroleum by Products
Mineral oil is derived from petroleum and does not absorb into the skin—its molecular size is simply too big. It might clog the pores and suffocate the skin.
It can trap other pore-clogging ingredients in the skin which might cause acne.
Ingredients like paraffinum liquidum, light liquid paraffin (LLP), petrolatum are oftenly seen in the ingredient list of many personal care products.
A consumer expect more from their skincare ingredients as they prefer to find ingredients that not only moisturize but also provide other benefits such as anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties with good efficacy.
Organic certified natural oils and organically derived emollients not only have good sensory feel but also provides benefits to the hair and skin. Since they are naturally derived they are ecologically sustainable also.
TIP – Look for a product that has almond oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, argon oil or any other naturally derived emollients that are cosmos or ecocert approved.

3. Parabens
Parabens are used as preservatives (e.g.- Methylparaben) to give products a longer shelf life as it prevents the growth of mold and other harmful bacteria.
But now a days there has been several researches and controversies in the usage and dosage of parabens in the personal care products.
Although this has not shown any significant harm but skincare companies are focusing on making products – Paraben free.
Paraben free products have gained boom in the market as they have other mild broad spectrum preservatives.
TIP – Applying a product without preservative is even more dangerous than applying with preservative in it. So choose a product which is paraben free.
In the era of smart phones, we should make smart choices as we have so many options and knowledge available.
Do pamper your skin and hair and invest in good products that perfectly suits your need and has right ingredients.
So, don’t forget to look backward on the packaging to know what a product contains before you buy and apply one.
By NIDHI GUDWANI
Author is CEO at SKINAYU ORGANICS
Changes in Skincare trends during the Pandemic
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