Having dry, tight, and itchy skin can feel uncomfortable, and some of the skincare products you’re using that you think are helping your skin could be causing more damage (and more dryness). One of the best habits you can adopt for your skin is reading ingredients labels and choosing to avoid certain products that contain ingredients known for irritating the skin.
Dermatologists will avoid the following three skincare ingredients like the plague because they can do a number on skin that is already irritated and cause more dryness and dehydration. Be sure to load up on bottles of water and great moisturizers that contain ceramides, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid and avoid these three ingredients.
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1. Alcohol
Alcohol is often present in skincare products like toners and some cleansers. According to Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, board-certified dermatologist and writer at My Psoriasis Team, "Dry, tight skin is common in the winter, and it's often worse if you live in a place with low humidity, and there is an ingredient you can avoid if you want to help your skin this winter— alcohol." She goes on to say that "alcohol has been shown to irritate sensitive skin and make it drier” and can "cause flaky patches on your face.”
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLS)
Cleansers that foam and make you feel like you’re getting a good clean on your skin can actually contain a drying ingredient called Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLS). SLS is known to “irritate sensitive skin and cause itchiness or redness,” according to Chacon. Dr. Cheryl Rosen, Director of Dermatology at BowTied Life, says SLS "can strip away the protective lipid layer of the skin, leading to dryness and accelerated aging."
Switching to gentler products can help. Even if a cleanser isn’t becoming foamy and soapy, this doesn’t mean it’s not cleansing effectively.
3. Fragrance
That skincare product may smell delicious or like a field of roses, but fragrance may actually be bad for your skin and cause irritation and flare-ups of eczema. Fragrance is present in so many skincare products, including moisturizers, that it’s important to read labels. "Fragrance can cause irritation and allergic reactions in some people (including those with asthma)," Chacon says, adding that you should "make sure any skincare products or body washes you use don't contain fragrance as an ingredient."
