Health Corner

Skincare Products May Contain Harmful Ingredients — Learn How to Read Labels!

News about skincare products containing harmful ingredients has become increasingly common.
Since most people apply skincare products at least twice a day, that adds up to around 730 applications a year.
If your products contain unsafe ingredients, imagine the burden that places on your skin.
It’s time to learn how to read ingredient lists and choose the right products for yourself.

With So Many Ingredients, Which Ones Should I Pay Attention To?

When selecting skincare products, look out for common irritants and allergens, especially:

• MIT (Methylisothiazolinone)

• CMIT (Methylchloroisothiazolinone)

These are widely used preservatives but are known to be highly allergenic and may trigger skin reactions.
Even people without particularly sensitive skin may develop skin sensitivity or irritation after prolonged use of such ingredients.

What’s the Worst That Can Happen If I Use Products Containing Allergenic Preservatives Long-Term?

People with chronic skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, or rosacea—and those prone to contact allergies (for example, allergies worsened by weather changes or exposure to irritants)—should avoid using products containing MIT or CMIT.

Severe allergic reactions may cause blistering, skin breaks, redness, or swelling, which can easily lead to bacterial infection if not treated properly.
Recovery can take a long time and be difficult to manage.

Do These Harmful Ingredients Affect the Body?

Yes.
There is now medical evidence that preservatives like MIT and CMIT can negatively impact human health.
To avoid potential risks, it is essential to read product ingredient labels carefully and avoid using items that contain allergenic substances or unclear formulations.

Doctor’s Professional Tips

1. Learn how to read ingredient order:
   Ingredients are listed in descending order by concentration. If a preservative appears near the top of the list, be cautious—it means the product contains more of that ingredient.

2. Understand your skin type:
   Choose skincare products suitable for your skin type—whether oily, dry, or combination.
   If you’re trying a new product, test it first on your neck, behind the ears, or on your arm to ensure no allergic reaction occurs before full use.

3. Be cautious with multifunctional products:
   Skincare products today often claim to moisturize, whiten, and provide anti-aging benefits at the same time.
   The more functions a product claims to have, the more complex its composition is likely to be.
   Many women use multiple skincare products daily, which can cause ingredient overlap—so it’s especially important to check and understand what’s inside each one.