Size doesn’t matter, but ingredients do.

Unless your major was chemistry, deciphering an ingredient label can be confusing.

If you’re not sure the difference between a Phthalates and a Paraben, read on to learn why ingredients are important when it comes to your skincare.

First the good stuff:

Vitamin E

This powerhouse group of fat-soluble vitamins are antioxidants. Great, what’s an antioxidant? Antioxidants help protect skin from free radicals which are linked to premature aging of the skin, brown spots, broken blood vessels, and loss off elasticity.

Vitamin E is also a great skin soother known to hydrate and reduce skin irritation and dryness.

Argan Oil

Argan Oil is derived from the kernels of the Argan tree found in Morocco and classified as an antioxidant that absorbs easily, leaving you hydrated but not greasy.

Now for the NASTY (did we get your attention?) here are some things you want to stay away from:

Parabens

Ingredients starting with variations like butyl, ethyl, and methyl. These bad guy preservatives have been known to lead to sterility and hormone imbalance.

Phthalates

Phthalates are found in some skin care products disguising themselves as a moisturizer, or ingredient activator. So what’s so bad about that? Phthalates have been shown to cause birth defects and they may also decrease sperm count in men. Way to bring us down Phthalates!

Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA), and Triethanolamine (TEA)

This trio helps a cleaner or cream foam up. Their side gig is to be a skin irritant leading to inflammation and dermatitis, actually counter acting the very reason you bought the product in the first place.

Who knew reading ingredients was so important? Well, we did. So now we’re sharing.