Chemicals In Cosmetics: Trick or Treat?

We’ve all heard the scary stories about “harmful chemicals” in personal care products—soaps, antiperspirants, shampoos, deodorants… With rising concerns about the ingredients we apply to our bodies, it’s only natural to wonder: are all chemicals as frightening as they seem?

The short answer is no.

Everything in existence is a chemical, and not all chemicals are harmful to your health. So, don’t be scared of that word, as it refers to a vast array of ingredients, from aloe vera and orange oil to, of course, “ribulosebisphosphatecarboxylaseoxygenase.”

According to the National Library of Medicine, we encounter a wide range of chemicals in our daily lives, most of which are naturally occurring. This Halloween season, we’ve curated a guide to help you identify potentially harmful chemicals and navigate the complexities of… dun, dun, duuunnn… synthetic fragrances.

WHAT CHEMICALS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Contrary to what many men think, our skin is the largest organ of our bodies and is constantly interacting with various environmental factors and the personal care products we choose. While we can’t always control our environment, we can control what we put on our skin.

However, it’s important to note that the UK and EU have some of the most stringent regulations for cosmetic products in the world. They regularly release new findings and update policies, meaning brands must reformulate if their products are no longer compliant.

Some ingredients are known to have a higher propensity to cause irritation (essential oils included!) at higher concentration levels. But regulations will always stipulate safe inclusion levels of ingredients – and those levels change depending on where the product is to be applied, for example, much lower levels for the face and underarms, as the skin in those areas is much more delicate.

That said, everyone’s skin is different and reacts differently to certain ingredients. That’s why it may be important for you to look out for certain ingredients that could negatively impact your skin and avoid them. The British Skin Foundation has listed the following as chemicals to potentially look out for in beauty products:

• Parabens: Widely used preservatives that help inhibit the growth of bacteria, mould, and yeast. Although found naturally in raspberries and blackberries, they may pose potential risks, such as skin irritation at high concentration levels.
• Acetone: Commonly used in nail polish remover, it is a solvent that can cause dryness and irritation in sensitive individuals.
• Coal Tar: Long used to treat dandruff and psoriasis. At concentrations typically found in skincare products, it is deemed safe, though it may cause irritation and photosensitivity in some individuals. However, higher concentrations raise concerns about its potential carcinogenicity.
• Formaldehyde: In skincare, formaldehyde is a by-product of preservatives like quaternium-15 and DMDM hydantoin (dafuq?), which gradually release it to prevent microbial growth. However, formaldehyde can irritate the skin and may cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

 

The list of potentially irritating chemicals continues, but there is one common ingredient that, contrary to popular belief, is not harmful and very rarely causes irritation: Sodium Bicarbonate. Known as "bicarb" in the UK and "baking soda" in the US, it is celebrated for its natural deodorising properties, making it ideal for eco-friendly skincare solutions. Don’t be fooled by “bicarb-free” deodorants. These brands wrongly insinuate it’s an allergen and potentially dangerous (we’ll get to those in a minute).

If you’d like to learn more about its safety, check out our blog post Debunking Myths: Sodium Bicarbonate in Deodorants.

ESSENTIAL OILS & SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES

Here’s where things can get tricky. Just because something is synthetic doesn’t automatically mean it’s harmful. Let us say that again and louder: JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS SYNTHETIC DOESN’T MEAN IT’S HARMFUL. Likewise, “natural” doesn’t mean safe.

As noted by The British Skin Foundation, while some people may be highly sensitive to fragrances, others might not experience any issues. One challenge is that the precise chemical composition of a fragrance is often unclear, as ingredient lists may only specify "fragrance" or "parfum." However, if a brand is compliant with the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) standards, like AKT, the “fragrance” is safe for use in most products and on most skin types.

 

The same does not always apply to essential oils. These highly concentrated plant extracts are often used in aromatherapy or as natural alternatives to synthetic fragrances. Essential oils offer a range of benefits, from improving mood and reducing anxiety to helping with breathing and even killing bacteria. However, it’s important to remember that while they can be beneficial, essential oils are potent, dangerous chemicals and can cause severe irritation if not properly diluted or handled with care. They should NEVER be applied to the skin neat, or ingested. Just because they are natural and smell lovely doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. The IFRA has stringent guidelines on percentage levels to use in fragrances, and some oils are banned for use on the skin altogether, like oregano oil. That stuff stings!

What’s important for you to know is that most companies, like AKT, formulate their fragrances to be compliant with global IFRA standards. At AKT, we use a blend of natural essential oils and synthetic fragrance molecules because it’s safer to use on the skin – particularly the underarms.

I CAN’T PRONOUNCE THIS INGREDIENT NAME: KILL IT!

Okay, okay, okay. You’ve seen people online saying, “if you can’t pronounce the name of the ingredient, then it must be a chemical and chemicals are bad.”

Cryptoxanthin, Anthocyanin, Falcarinol! Babes… they’re some of the chemical components of a carrot.

Similarly, you might see chemical names like: “linalool”, “geraniol”, “citronellol” on our ingredients lists. These are chemical components of some essential oils, and they are known allergens. Regulations insist that allergens are listed on ingredients as even in small doses, they can cause irritation for the few people who are allergic to them. Don’t worry though, if you have a reaction… you will survive.

AKT’S COMMITMENT TO YOU

At AKT, we don’t have any skeletons in our closet! We are transparent about using both natural and synthetic fragrance chemicals to make sure they’re safe to use on the skin – especially our underarms. Sometimes synthetic chemicals in fragrances are more sustainable too, as large swathes of land are often used to grow crops for essential oils – and if that crop is spoiled one year, it all goes to waste.

Our products have received high praise for their effectiveness across various skin types, thanks to our expertise in crafting natural-first, cruelty-free, and scientifically balanced formulations compliant with IFRA’s guidelines and UK/EU regulations.

Our products are so versatile that you can even incorporate them into your aromatherapy rituals to pamper your skin while calming your senses with our luxurious fragrance blends — expertly balanced with essential oils and fragrance molecules. To learn more about how to create the perfect scene, check out our blog post Set Your Aromatherapy Scene With AKT.

From our newest body-care range to our natural deodorant balm, there are no scary “chemical” tricks – just a treat for your skin.