Your relationship with your skin is so important. When it feels great, you’re on top of the world. When it’s irritated, it can shake up your whole day. That’s why lotion can be an essential part of not just how your skin feels, but how YOU feel. And when you find your favorite lotion, the world becomes a much happier, softer place.
But, what if what’s in your lotion—the one you apply to your beautiful skin on repeat, isn’t actually serving your skin in the best ways possible?
You might not realize it, but some manufacturers actually put ingredients in their lotions that can dry out your skin. Shocking, right?
It’s time to get informed about what’s in your lotion so you can make the best choices when it comes to what you’re putting on your skin. So, grab your favorite lotions, and let’s make sure they’re the best options for your skin. If any of the following five ingredients are on a label, just know, the lotion is part of the reason your skin feels dry.
Looking for lotion with clean ingredients? Click here to shop our line →
Ingredient #1: Salicylic Acid
This ingredient is an astringent (sometimes referred to as a “toner”) is meant to draw water out of your skin tissue, which can tighten the skin, remove oil, and shrink your pores, all of which can be helpful for certain skin conditions but can lead to dry skin. Salicylic Acid is meant to keep pores clear and exfoliate the skin which, again, can be helpful for certain skin conditions. But like its astringent cousin Witch Hazel, Salicylic Acid—and its drying effects—have no place in your lotion collection.
Ingredient #2: The Sodiums—Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) + Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Both of these ingredients fall into the surfactants category (also known as “surface-active agents”), which act as stabilizers between two “conflicting” ingredients, like oil and water. They’re often used in cleaning products to help bind the ingredients in these products as well as in many skincare products for the same reason. But, since they can also dry out and irritate your skin, aim to use lotions that don’t contain these two ingredients.
Ingredient #3: Parabens
Anything with “-paraben” is something you’ll want to steer clear of when it comes to your lotions. Why? Parabens can extend the shelf life of products and stop the growth of bacteria and fungus, which might seem like a bonus where your lotion is concerned. However, some experts believe that parabens can affect the balance of estrogen and other hormones in your body, and they have also been known to cause skin damage, including irritation, and you guessed it—dryness. To avoid any of these issues, look for the words “Paraben-Free” on your lotion label.
Want dewy skin? Click here to read one of our top skincare moisturizing hacks →
Ingredient #4: Formaldehyde
While helping to extend the shelf life of products, this lotion ingredient no-no has been shown
EditSign to cause skin irritation, discoloration, dryness, cracking, scaling, and even allergic reactions. Some experts have labeled formaldehyde as a carcinogen, although when used in skincare products, the levels are believed to be safe. But still…why take the risks, right?! Especially when these ingredients can dry out your skin.
Click here to learn more about how adding body oil to lotion can add extra moisturizing →
Ingredient #5: Rice flour
While it seems like including rice flour—a natural product—in your lotion might be a good idea, it really isn’t. Since rice flour is a starch, not only can it dry out your skin, but it can also leave it looking dull and tired. And all of those consequences are the extreme opposite of what we’re going for when our goal is glowing, moisturized, and healthy-looking skin.
Discovering your favorite lotion can take some time and some trial and error, especially when faced with the often lengthy ingredients list on the product label. Armed with the information we’ve shared, you’re much better equipped to find your lotion BFF that can keep your skin happy, healthy, and as moist as possible every single day.
We’re passionate about what we put in our products, and you can be sure that our ZENTS line of lotions are 100% free of any of these ingredients. Plus, we infuse every single one with probiotic peptides, organic shea, and lotus to help keep your skin looking young, smooth, and soft for decades to come.
