Petrochemicals come from the petroleum industry and these potentially harmful ingredients are best avoided in your health and beauty regimen for the reasons outlined below.

Some of the petrochemicals used in health and beauty products include benzene, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and propylene glycol. These chemicals can cause skin irritation and propylene glycol in particular can cause contact dermatitis.

Ethanol is generally used to dilute liquids or as a fatty solvent in lotions and oils. This petrochemical allows liquids to flow more easily, but when used in conjunction with nitrates, they can be carcinogenic.

Isopropyl alcohol is found in many hair dyes, body lotions, and perfumes in particular, but its use is also common in antifreeze, giving you an idea of ​​how unhealthy it is. It can cause headaches and nausea. It also affects your skin by causing it to dry out and age faster than it would otherwise.

Phthalates are used in hairspray, lipstick, and nail polish, to make them long-lasting and flexible. They may not appear on labels as they may be hidden under the term “perfume.” These chemicals have been shown to be linked to decreased fertility.

DEA and TEA are alcohol derivatives that are used as wetting and emulsifying agents. They are used in lotions to soften the skin, as emollients, and as moisturizers in other personal care products. The problem here is that when they are combined with any ingredient that acts as nitrosating agents, they have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Mineral oil is found in products like bath and body oils and baby oil. But it is derived from crude oil and while it may leave the skin initially soft, it actually hinders the skin’s ability to breathe and traps toxins in the skin. This can aggravate existing skin problems, such as eczema.

Sodium lauryl sulfate, also called SLS, is actually a detergent that is used as a forming agent and is used in shampoos, shower gels, bubble baths, and toothpastes. This is a product that can cause skin, eye, and scalp irritation.

The best way to avoid these agents in your health and beauty products is to read labels carefully and select products that do not contain these ingredients. Buying natural and organic beauty products will help you limit your skin’s exposure to petrochemicals. However, it is worth keeping in mind that not all natural and organic beauty products are created equal. An item that is as low as 10% can be advertised as natural or organic, so selecting those that are certified organic will give you some peace of mind.