Growing up, all we have heard is “moisturize to keep your skin healthy,” but it turns out that it might not necessarily be true. Composed of three layers, your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is responsible for many vital functions, guarding us against the elements, adjusting body temperature, allowing the responses of touch, heat, and cold. Our skin naturally exfoliates and produces oils on its own, which is why some dermatologists believe that lotion can stop this process.
Can Lotion Actually Be Bad For Your Skin?
You’ve heard the phrase “everything in moderation,” well, the same thing applies to skincare. By overusing or overlaying moisturizer, you can actually trick your epidermis into thinking that it no longer needs to produce its natural oils.
Another important consideration is the ingredients in your lotion. Since about 60 percent of what you apply to your skin can be absorbed, it’s crucial to be mindful of the components in your lotion. While lotions are typically effective at retaining moisture and softening the skin, using the wrong ingredients can lead to irritation and dryness, particularly if you have sensitive skin.
How Many Ways Can Lotion Damage Your Skin?
Harmful Ingredients
There are toxic ingredients in many products, such as parabens. Parabens increase the shelf life of a product and they also prevent bacteria from growing on your skin. If you do not cleanse your skin correctly before using lotion, there is a chance you can trap the bacteria in your epidermis. This can cause bacteria to multiply and spread throughout the surface of the skin.
Parabens help avoid this issue, however, there are parabens that might be considered harmful. Some research suggests that excessive use of bad parabens can cause dry skin, allergies, hormonal imbalances, cancer, and reproductive issues.
Dry Out Your Skin
By continually using lotions that keep your skin slippery, your body begins to adjust to the additional oils on your skin and stops producing its own protective layer. When that happens, your skin dries out on its own. Because of a lack of lipid production, some dermatologists are urging against lotion usage. However, lotion promotes elasticity in your skin. It is important to use lotion in moderation. If you have a specific skin issue, we recommend speaking to a dermatologist to find the right product.
How Can You Tell If A Lotion Is Harmful?
A clean moisturizer is essential in skincare, and the wrong skincare products may literally make you sick. It can lead to rashes, allergies, hormonal imbalance, cancer, and reproductive issues. You can tell a product is harmful by the elements in them. Here is a list of ingredients that you should try to avoid in all your topical products:
- Aluminum
- Diethanolamine, Monoethanolamine, and Triethanolamine
- DMDM Hydantoin & UREA
- Mineral Oil
- Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl)
- Polyethylene Glycol
- Phthalates
- Propylene Glycol & Butylene Glycol
- Siloxanes
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Triclosan
What Type Of Lotions Should I Avoid?
Other than avoiding lotions that contain these 12 concerning chemicals, when searching for a body lotion, you should avoid products with more than 20 ingredients. Look for natural products, products that contain essential oils rather than artificial fragrance. Also, stay away from products that contain alcohol. Alcohol in skincare products dry out skin rather than moisturize. Depending on your skin type, you may want to use an oil-based lotion for your body. Some people mix in their preferred oil with their body lotion.
How Often Should I Put Lotion On My Skin?
You should moisturize your body after you shower to replenish your epidermis after washing your natural oils away. You shouldn’t apply moisturizer to your body when you are dirty. This would only trap in the dirt and debris.
However, if you are using CBD lotion for irritation or minor aches, you can reapply to the same area more than once a day. CBD has an anti-bacterial component in it, just like coconut oil! Both of which are key ingredients in Cheef Botanicals CBD lotions.
Final Thoughts – Is Lotion Bad for the Skin?
Overall, lotion is not harmful for you as long you select the right product. Moisturizing your skin regularly is essential for keeping elasticity in your skin. Nevertheless, over-moisturizing may prevent your skin from producing its own natural oils, but that is reversible. Make sure to consult a dermatologist for any skin issues you are undergoing. You need to make sure that you do not pick a product with too many unrecognizable ingredients. Avoid using harmful products in all aspects of your life, not just your lotions. Visit this page.
