The Secret Moisture-Sucking Ingredients Hiding in Your Cosmetics

10 September, 2024

1. Toners Containing Alcohol

Alcohol has been proven to irritate sensitive skin and make it drier. Commonly found in toners, it can also cause flaking on the face if you have dry skin.

If your skin is naturally on the drier side, you must avoid products with alcoholic content. Dry and aging skin can be extremely sensitive and will be most affected by this type of product.

This is because alcoholic products irritate the skin, causing rashes and even eczema. Alcohol in skincare products can have more severe consequences if you have textured skin, potentially disrupting your skin’s protective barrier.

A disrupted skin barrier is prone to excessive dryness as moisture escapes from the skin, allowing irritants to penetrate and cause inflammation and redness.

2. Face Wash with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (often abbreviated as SLS) is an ingredient found in many face washes that creates a soapy lather. It is also known to irritate sensitive skin and cause itching or redness for many people.” If you have dry skin and regularly use products containing SLS, she recommends “trying something gentler like coconut oil.

A much better choice for a face wash is one with a balanced pH and gentle formula. Use this type of cleanser each morning and evening with warm water. This step refreshes the skin and removes sweat and grime that may have built up.

After cleansing your face at night, a tip to wake up to more hydrated skin is to use a hyaluronic acid serum before bed. When we apply an effective skincare product, such as hyaluronic acid, at night, we maximize its benefits. Because our skin relies heavily on water and hydration to function normally, it is essential to keep the skin moisturized to maintain its health and protective functions.

Hyaluronic acid applied to the skin at night penetrates the skin and then continues to draw water towards it, allowing the skin to moisturize better. Well-hydrated skin will be strong, resilient, and healthy.

3. Fragranced Face Wash and Moisturizer

Anything you put on your face should be fragrance-free if your goal is to prevent acne, early wrinkles, and excessive dryness.

Fragrances can cause irritation and allergic reactions in some individuals, including those with asthma.

You may not even realize that the products you use daily are fragranced, so be sure to check each bottle carefully before purchasing to ensure no fragrances have been added.

Make sure that any skincare or face wash you use does not contain fragrances in its ingredients.

Frequently asked questions

Moisture-sucking ingredients are compounds that have a hygroscopic nature, meaning they attract and absorb water molecules from their surroundings. While these ingredients can provide certain benefits in cosmetics, such as helping to bind formulations together or enhance texture, they can also absorb moisture from the skin, potentially leading to dryness, irritation, and a compromised skin barrier.

Moisture-sucking ingredients are commonly found in a variety of cosmetic products, including makeup, skincare, and hair care items. They are often used as fillers, texturizers, stabilizers, or preservatives. Some common examples of these ingredients include sodium hyaluronate, propylene glycol, and certain alcohols.

To identify moisture-sucking ingredients, carefully read the ingredient labels on your cosmetic products. Look out for common hygroscopic compounds such as sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, propylene glycol, and certain alcohols like ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. While some of these ingredients can provide benefits in certain formulations, it’s important to be aware of their potential moisture-absorbing properties and their possible impact on skin hydration and health.

Yes, there are alternative options available if you want to avoid moisture-sucking ingredients. Look for cosmetic and skincare products that are formulated with natural, hydrating ingredients such as plant-based oils, butters, and extracts. Opt for products that emphasize moisture retention and skin barrier protection. Additionally, consider using hyaluronic acid, which is a powerful hydrator that can attract and bind moisture to the skin without the same drying concerns as some of the moisture-sucking ingredients.

The concern surrounding moisture-sucking ingredients primarily relates to leave-on products that remain in prolonged contact with the skin, such as moisturizers, serums, and foundations. In rinse-off products like cleansers or shampoos, the contact time is shorter, so the moisture-absorbing effect is less of an issue. However, it’s always a good idea to be informed about the ingredients in your cosmetics and their potential effects, especially if you have sensitive or dry skin.