Friday, February 10, 2012

Unsafe Skincare Products That Worsens Acne

By Eugene Yeng


If something causes breakouts it is comedogenic, or acne causing. The main ingredients in products can be given a level from 0 to 5 in comedogenicity. With this ranking the side effects of a product can be easily determined. Any skincare products that worsens acne can be identified before they are mistakenly purchased.

With an assigned value of 0, a substance has no correlation to acne. These substances can be used on pimple prone skin without worry. With a 5 a substance is a definite cause of breakouts. Use of products with high scoring ingredients is discouraged, especially for individuals with sensitive skin. They should instead be replaced in favor of less comedogenic mixtures.

Acetylated lanolin alcohol, acetylated lanolin, algin and algae extract all cause acne. Acetylated lanolin has a level 4 ranking. It is made from a medley of wool fats, acetic acid and lye. Adding it to formulas makes skin soft. But it also causes eruptions of blackheads and whiteheads.

Even more problematic is the grade 5 algae extract. This is located at the highest rank on the scale. Algae extract is obtained from sea plants and contains many minerals. On skin it both firms and moisturizes. It also is one of the most likely substances to cause breakouts. Algin is a substance from brown algae cell walls. Added to other substances, it works as a thickening agent. It has a comedogenicity level 4.

Butyl stearate is assigned a 3. Products are made more luxurious with its lubricating qualities. With its use skin becomes soft and smooth. Unfortunately, when it dries it coats the skin with a thin film. This may also be why it causes breakouts.

Corn oil earns a grade 2. If possible, it should be avoided, but not to the same extent as ingredients such as algae extract. It is used often because it is cheaper than other vegetable based oils. It can be found frequently in different soaps.

At a level 1, dimethicone is a generally acceptable ingredient in most products. However, if using products containing it cause breakouts, alternative skincare should be purchased. Dimethicone offers several benefits. Not only does it moisturize skin, but it cures dryness and itching as well.

Carrageenan, cetearyl alcohol, cocoa butter, coconut oil, sodium chloride, wheat germ oil and other ingredients also cause skin problems. They all rank high on the scale of acne causing agents. If any of these are present in cosmetics, skin will be much more likely to break out.

However, there are also plenty of ingredients that can be combined without such negative side effects. These do not irritate skin, block the pores or cause inflammation. Some examples are zinc stearate, ultramarine violet, lanolin oil, flowers of sulfur, and deionized water, among others. Each of these has a value of 0 on the scale.

Before purchasing a product, check that its main ingredients do not have negative consequences on skin. This can be done by researching their comedogenic levels and determining whether or not they will inflame and infect the skin. Products are available with mixtures that have no negative impacts on skin health.




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