When I started to really google the ingredients in my skin care products I quickly became frustrated.
For years, I thought I was caring for my skin, but all the while I was using products loaded with artificial fragrances and chemicals. In reality, these products weren’t supporting my overall health and wellness at all. What frustrated me most was buying something that seemed “green” or “clean,” only to discover it wasn’t truly made with good ingredients.
I know that transitioning to an all-natural lifestyle can feel overwhelming, so to help you get started, I want to share three common skincare ingredients you should avoid.
1. Artificial Fragrance
This is a big one to watch out for in your skincare and household products. Many man-made fragrances contain harmful chemicals like phthalates (endocrine disruptors), benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and toluene (known carcinogens). Some fragrance compounds can even be neurotoxic or linked to reproductive issues and birth defects.
The real challenge? When you see “Fragrance” or “Parfum” on an ingredient label, you have no way of knowing what’s actually inside. It could be any combination of over 5,000 chemicals used by the beauty industry—many of which are harmful. That’s why avoiding artificial fragrances is such an important step toward truly clean skincare.
2. Parabens
Parabens are a group of synthetic preservatives commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products to extend shelf life and prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. While they serve a practical purpose, research suggests that parabens can disrupt hormones, negatively affect fertility and reproductive health, impact birth outcomes, and may even increase cancer risk. They can also cause skin irritation in some individuals.
To avoid parabens, check ingredient labels for terms like isobutyl-, butyl-, isopropyl-, and propylparaben and skip products that include them whenever possible.
3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
SLS and SLES are powerful detergents commonly found in personal care and household cleaning products. While SLS isn’t proven to be carcinogenic, it can irritate the skin with long-term exposure and has shown toxicity in high doses in animal studies. SLES, on the other hand, carries a potential risk of contamination with 1,4-dioxane, a possible carcinogen. Concentrations of SLS in products can vary widely—from 0.01% to 50% in cosmetics and 1% to 30% in cleaning products.
To protect your skin, always check labels for “sulfate-free” products and avoid anything listing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) among the ingredients.
The team at Rooted For Good is proud to offer you products that are free from artificial fragrances, parabens & sodium lauryl sulfates!
Anna Ketterling
