There are numerous ingredients, both natural and synthetic, used in the cosmetic and skin care industry which are known to cause irritation. The main reason they are still in use is because the favorable characteristics (solubility, costs) often outweigh their potential to cause irritation in the majority of individuals.
The issue is that, during times of skin barrier instability, these ingredients can cause significant irritation and further worsening of the present barrier issues.
Common Ingredients to Watch Out For
- Sodium lauryl sulphate [pubby id="19467032"]
- Sodium hydroxide [pubby id="7821009"]
- Fragrances [pubby id="21461388"]
This list is by no means complete and should only be used as a starting-point. The best way to minimize the chance or irritation is to use low formulations with short ingredients lists.