Ingredients to Avoid

Alcohols

Isopropyl alcohols are very drying. Alcohols in general very bad for eczema.

Cetyl alcohols are good alcohols. They are derived from coconut or palm oil and can help conditioners and hairsprays evaporate into the hair shaft.

Artificial fragrances

Most perfumes and colognes aren't legally required to list ingredients to protect their trade mark. Artificial fragrances and synthetic dyes are a carcinogenic, which can cause illnesses in children. They have been linked to certain types of hormone imbalances, especially in young men. Phthalates can contain fragrances and are the most dangerous. Avoid them at all costs. Not the best idea to use or even be around perfumes if you have eczema, allergies, and asthma.

Paraben preservatives

Examples include: butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben. They have been linked to certain types of hormone imbalances. Parabens mimic estrogen which is also linked to breast cancer. Pregnant mothers can pass along the effects of some chemicals to their unborn offspring, like testicular abnormalities in little boys or obesity in teenage girls.

Petroleum Jelly and Mineral Oil

They clog the skin. Mineral oil does when it isn't in purest form.

Phthalates

Avoiding products with phthalates can be difficult, because they aren't always labeled clearly. DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate) are two to look for on labels. They can be found in items from shampoo to shower curtains. Phthalates are linked to reproductive problems, cancer, allergies, and asthma. Pregnant mothers can pass along the effects of some chemicals to their unborn offspring, like testicular abnormalities in little boys.

Silicones

Dimethicone and simethicone are heavier silicones that coat the hair and prevent moisture from getting into the hair shaft. Also avoid dimethicone and simethicone in body lotions if you have eczema.

Good silicones are water-soluble and help make products slick. They are great in conditioners and they don’t build up on the hair. In either instance, you want silicones to be toward the end of the ingredient list which means there are less of them in the product overall.

Sulfates

Sulfates make cleansers foam and become sudsy. Sodium laureth sulfate is a poison commonly used in soaps, shampoos, detergents and toothpaste.Women with natural hair should really avoid using shampoos that lather and use a cream-based shampoo instead. It causes skin irritation and hair loss.

Synthetic dyes

Anything with F&DC preceding it, usually followed by a color and a number. F representing food, D&C representing drugs and cosmetics. Other color additives include: caramel, lead acetate, manganese violet, and more.