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Personal Care Products: Top Ingredients to Avoid

It's easy to become overwhelmed by the constant updates of dieting, beauty and lifestyle trends. It's also hard to seek the truth behind a product when advertisements all sound and look the same.

If you're someone who wears makeup, you know this industry is constantly coming out with new products, which, unfortunately, can result in a hole in your pocket.

But before you spend another dime, ask yourself this question: What do you really know about these products you're using?

The FDA isn't as strict about what ingredients are going into your makeup, which makes it even more important that you research products before using them to make sure they are safe to put on your skin.

When looking around the beauty department, make sure you read the labels. Some ingredients you want to look out for are quaternium 15 and DMDM Hydantion.

Quaternium 15 is a quatermary ammonium salt used as a preservative in many cosmetics and industrial substances. This chemical is used as a formaldehyde releaser, and is also an allergen that can cause dermatitis in sensitive skin.

DMDM Hydantion is an antimicrobial formaldehyde releaser preservative that's found in shampoos, conditioners, hair gels and skin care products.

What other ingredients should you be looking out for?

Dr. Holly shares common ingredients found in cosmetics, the risks they present to your health and why you should avoid them.

Other ingredients to avoid:
  • Most preservatives
  • Lead
  • Phthalates
  • Mercury