The Shocking Truth About What’s in Your Skincare Products
Share
I used to grab my skincare from Dollar Tree without thinking twice. It was cheap, convenient, and smelled nice — what more could I ask for?
But that was before I learned the truth about what’s actually in most skincare products.
Once I started digging into ingredients, I was shocked. The creams, cleansers, and serums I’d been slathering on my skin daily were loaded with toxic chemicals, petroleum-based ingredients, and preservatives that do way more harm than good.
The Problem With Conventional Skincare
Most drugstore skincare products — and especially the super cheap ones — are made with filler ingredients that offer no real benefit to your skin. Even worse, many of them are derived from petroleum, which is literally the same stuff used to make plastic and fuel.
Some of the most common toxic ingredients include:
- Petrolatum / Mineral Oil / Paraffin – cheap byproducts of petroleum refining. These create a barrier on the skin but don’t actually nourish it.
- Fragrance (Parfum) – often a catch-all for dozens of undisclosed chemicals, some of which are linked to hormone disruption and allergies.
- Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, etc.) – synthetic preservatives that mimic estrogen and have been linked to hormone disruption.
- Phthalates – commonly used to make fragrances last longer, but known to disrupt the endocrine system.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – a harsh detergent that can strip and irritate the skin.
- PEGs (polyethylene glycols) – petroleum-based compounds used to soften and thicken formulas, often contaminated with carcinogens like 1,4-dioxane.
Why It Matters
Your skin is your largest organ. It absorbs everything you put on it — so if you wouldn’t eat it, why would you rub it into your skin?
For years, I didn’t think twice about what was in my moisturizer or cleanser. But once I started paying attention, I realized that the breakouts, irritation, and dullness I was experiencing weren’t from “bad skin” — they were from bad ingredients.
Making the Switch
Now, I’m committed to using only clean, non-toxic skincare made from ingredients I can actually pronounce. I look for formulas that are plant-based, organic when possible, and completely free from petroleum, parabens, synthetic fragrance, and other junk.
If you’re ready to make the switch too, one of my absolute favorite clean products is this 100% non-toxic cleansing balm by Activist Skincare. It’s gentle, effective, and made with real ingredients your skin will love:
👉 Check it out here (sponsored link)
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just about looking good — it’s about protecting your body. What you put on your skin matters, and once you know what to look for, it’s hard to go back.
I’m sharing this because I wish someone had told me sooner. If you’ve been using conventional skincare without thinking twice (like I did), it’s never too late to start making better choices. Your skin — and your health — are worth it.