By Victoria Kirby, Allure
Some normally a-ok skincare ingredients can cause problems on the wrong skin type. We asked David E. Bank, associate professor of clinical dermatology at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, for the lowdown.
SENSITIVE SKIN Lanolin:
SENSITIVE SKIN Lanolin:
This natural wax comes from sheep's wool, but even after it's refined for cosmetic use, small traces of impurities and toxins—such as pesticides—may still remain, which can cause allergic reactions including redness, rashes, or hives.Unscented:The number-one cause of skin allergies and reactions are added fragrances—so why do you have to be wary of skin products labeled "unscented?" They may still contain fragrances used to mask any unpleasant odors in the formula. Look for the words "fragrance-free" on the bottle in order to be sure that it contains no added scents.
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OILY SKIN
Mineral Oil: If your skin is oily or acne-prone, you may want to avoid products containing this ingredient. A derivative of petroleum oil, it locks in moisture—but because it sits on the surface of the skin, it can also lead to clogged pores.
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DRY SKIN
Petrolatum and Paraffin Gel (petroleum jelly): These ingredients create a barrier that holds in moisture—which sounds like a good thing, but for people with skin that lacks moisture, these ingredients can actually prevent it from entering the skin, causing further dryness.
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ANY SKIN
Sunscreen chemicals: If your skin becomes red or itchy after applying sunscreen, you may be allergic to chemical SPF agents. Switch to a sunscreen labeled "chemical-free"—these use mineral UVA/UBV filter, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which usually won't irritate skin.
More from Allure
Mineral Oil: If your skin is oily or acne-prone, you may want to avoid products containing this ingredient. A derivative of petroleum oil, it locks in moisture—but because it sits on the surface of the skin, it can also lead to clogged pores.
[post_ads_2]
DRY SKIN
Petrolatum and Paraffin Gel (petroleum jelly): These ingredients create a barrier that holds in moisture—which sounds like a good thing, but for people with skin that lacks moisture, these ingredients can actually prevent it from entering the skin, causing further dryness.
[post_ads_2]
ANY SKIN
Sunscreen chemicals: If your skin becomes red or itchy after applying sunscreen, you may be allergic to chemical SPF agents. Switch to a sunscreen labeled "chemical-free"—these use mineral UVA/UBV filter, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which usually won't irritate skin.
