Cancers affecting the body's largest organ, the skin, are by for the most common. So it's no wonder that a growing number of people are concerned about the products they regularly use to care for their skin, and consequently, a growing number of skin care products that bill themselves as safe, or holistic, or natural.
But what does that mean, and does it matter? The FDA does not regulate labels like 'natural' and 'clean' in the marketing of skin care products.
That makes reading the list of ingredients all the more important, especially for the three basics of a skin care routine: sunscreen, moisturizer and retinol.
Many dermatologists recommend sunscreens with mineral-based ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that have and SPF of at least 30.
For moisturizers, look for gentle products labeled with the term "non-comedogenic" - that means they won't clog your pores.
And retinoid should contain ingredients derived from vitamin A, such as retinol, adapalene, tretinoin and tazarotene.
Keep in mind that not all chemicals in skin care products are bad. Some types of acids for instance can help get rid of dead skin cells and boost collagen.
While there is no evidence directly linking common chemicals in skin care products to serious health hazards dermatologists have raised concerns about chemicals such as parabens for potential links to breast cancer, as well as sulfates which can cause skin dryness and irritation.
Different skin types require different care, so consider consulting a medical professional to help set skin care routine that's right for you.
