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question

Which ingredients in skin care products should I avoid?

Dr. Doris Day, MD
Dr. Doris Day, MD
Dermatology
answer
The following are harmful ingredients in skincare products:

Sulfa-based ingredients. There are many people who have sulfa allergies from taking antibiotics that contain sulfa. If you are in this category, then you should also avoid topical products that contain sulfa. There are plenty of other products without sulfa. If you know you are allergic read the label of every product before you buy to make sure it does not contain sulfa. If you don’t know whether or not you’re allergic then you are probably not allergic

Sodium laurel sulfate. This is a type of surfactant that can be extremely irritating to the skin. It is difficult to completely avoid it, especially if you use soap.

Parabens. This ingredient, used as a preservative, can be harmful to your skin.


 

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.