What if the moisturiser you rely on every day isn’t actually helping your skin?
Most conventional moisturisers don’t truly hydrate - they mask dryness while leaving skin more irritated and dependent over time. Hidden inside the formulas are ingredients that can irritate your skin, disrupt hormones, or even affect your long-term health. And because your skin absorbs much of what you put on it, every application means more toxins entering your body.
The good news? There’s a way to keep your skin soft, healthy, and glowing - without any of the sneaky chemicals. Let’s break down what’s really in your moisturiser, why it might be doing more harm than good, and how to make a cleaner switch.
The Ingredients You Probably Didn’t Expect
It’s easy to believe a jar of moisturiser is safe - it’s on every shelf, wrapped in glowing reviews, and marketed as ‘gentle for skin.’ But flip the label and the ingredient list tells a different story — things get a little… alarming.
Here’s what you might find in a typical mainstream moisturiser:
- Parabens & Preservatives - Ingredients like butyl, benzyl, ethyl, methyl, propyl parabens, or formaldehyde-releasers are added to extend shelf life. Unfortunately, they mimic estrogen, causing havoc on your hormones. They have been linked to DNA damage, accelerated skin aging under UV exposure and have even been found in breast cancer tissue biopsies.
- Phthalates – Including Dibutyl and Diethylhexyl, phthalates are one example of the many chemicals that are often hidden under the term ‘fragrance’. They are hormone disruptors that cause reproductive harm, and are linked to asthma, low sperm count, and cancers.
- Petroleum-Based Ingredients (Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Vaseline) - These coat your skin to lock in moisture, but they also trap dirt, bacteria, and toxins. They don’t feed your skin - they just create a barrier that can lead to breakouts or irritation.
- Silicones (Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane) - They give creams that silky, smooth feel, but they trap impurities and prevent your skin from breathing naturally.
- Fragrance & Synthetic Colours - “Fragrance” can hide thousands of chemicals that irritate skin or disrupt hormones.
- Sulfates & Alcohols (SLS, SLES, Isopropyl Alcohol) - These strip natural oils, leaving skin dry or irritated, and can allow other toxins to penetrate more easily.
- Other Sneaky Additives – Propylene glycol (used in antifreeze), benzoyl peroxide, PEG compounds, UV filters, and certain ceramides.
These chemicals don’t nourish your skin - they seep into your body and work against your health. A simple swap to natural alternatives can make all the difference.
Why It Matters
Most of us apply moisturiser daily - sometimes twice. Over time, that adds up to thousands of exposures to chemicals your body is forced to process. By choosing cleaner products, you can reduce the toxic load your body carries, helping you feel healthier, more energised, and more comfortable in your own skin.
If you wouldn’t eat it, why put it on your skin? - This simple question can guide you toward safer, truly effective skincare.
A Healthier Approach
Skincare should do more than just feel good - it should actively support and nourish your skin. With natural, food-grade ingredients, you can hydrate, protect, and truly nourish without the hidden risks. Switching to a clean moisturiser means:
- Healthy, nourished skin without irritation
- Less toxic load absorbed into your body
- Confidence knowing your daily routine is working for you, not against you
Look out for organic and nourishing ingredients like tallow and jojoba oil for safer choices.
Because healthy skin starts with healthy choices.
