When it comes to healthy, resilient skin, what you don’t put on your face is just as important as what you do.
Some common skincare ingredients disrupt your skin barrier, trigger irritation, or create long-term sensitivity — especially if you already struggle with dryness, acne, redness, or compromised barrier function.
Today, we’re breaking down the biggest offenders (in simple language) and sharing what to look for instead.
Your skin barrier will LOVE you for making these swaps.
1. Parabens — Potential Endocrine Disruptors
Parabens are preservatives found in many mainstream skincare formulas, but they’ve become controversial due to concerns around potential hormone disruption.
Why avoid them?
Parabens can mimic estrogen in the body, which may contribute to hormonal imbalance for some individuals.
Better alternative:
Look for products preserved with:
• Sodium benzoate
• Potassium sorbate
• Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment
• Natural antioxidants (vitamin E, rosemary extract)
Naturally Bionic uses paraben-free preservation systems designed to be safe, gentle, and barrier-friendly.
2. Sulphates (SLS/SLES) — Harsh, Drying Foaming Agents
Sulphates make cleansers foam — but at a cost. They can strip your skin’s natural lipids, weakening the barrier and leading to tightness, dryness, and breakouts.
Why avoid them?
• They disrupt your lipid barrier
• They increase irritation
• They are especially harsh for sensitive or dry skin
Better alternative:
• Balms or cream cleansers
• Very gentle surfactants (coco glucoside, decyl glucoside)
Every Naturally Bionic product is 100% sulphate-free.
3. Artificial Fragrance Oils — Common Irritants
“Fragrance” or “parfum” on an INCI list can refer to hundreds of undisclosed chemicals.
Why avoid them?
• They’re a top cause of contact dermatitis
• Hidden allergens trigger redness or breakouts
• Completely unnecessary for sensitive skin types
Better alternative:
• Essential oils used minimally and safely
• CO₂ extracts (gentler and more stable)
• Completely fragrance-free options
Naturally Bionic offers fragrance-free balms and formulas scented only with therapeutic botanicals (never synthetic fragrance).
4. Alcohol Denat — Sneaky Barrier-Drying Ingredient
Some forms of alcohol are fine in skincare — but Alcohol Denat, SD Alcohol, and Isopropyl Alcohol are extremely drying.
Why avoid them?
They evaporate quickly, taking your skin’s moisture with them and leaving your barrier compromised.
Better alternative:
• Fatty alcohols like cetearyl or cetyl alcohol (these are hydrating)
• Oils and ceramide-rich moisturisers
All Naturally Bionic products avoid drying alcohols completely.
5. Harsh Essential Oils
Some essential oils are potent enough to irritate even healthy skin.
Essential oils best avoided on the face:
• Lemon
• Lime
• Cinnamon
• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus
Better alternative:
• Chamomile CO₂ (soothing)
• Lavender (gentle when used correctly)
• Rosehip
• Sea buckthorn
Naturally Bionic uses only skin-safe, barrier-friendly botanicals — no harsh essential oils.
6. Over-Exfoliating Acids
AHAs and BHAs can be helpful in small doses — but too much can damage the skin barrier faster than anything else.
Why avoid overuse?
• Redness
• Burning
• Increased breakouts
• Long-term sensitivity
Better alternative:
• Limit acids to 1–2× weekly
• Build routines around moisture and lipids
• Choose barrier-supporting formulas (like tallow balms, ceramides, or bakuchiol)
So, What Should You Look For Instead?
Choose skincare with:
✔ Nourishing lipids (tallow, squalane, ceramides)
✔ Gentle, low-foam cleansers
✔ Botanical actives like bakuchiol, chamomile CO₂, rosehip
✔ Non-irritating preservation systems
✔ Short, simple ingredient lists
These create stronger, calmer, more resilient skin — naturally.
And If You Want a Barrier-Friendly Routine…
The Naturally Bionic balms are formulated to support your skin’s natural healing and repair cycle:
🌿 Bio Renew — anti-ageing, barrier-repairing
🌿 Clarity — blemish-prone and congested skin
🌿 Get Naked — ultra-gentle, fragrance-free
Your skin barrier deserves formulas that work with it, not against it.
Ready to build a gentle, effective skincare routine?
👉 Explore the full Naturally Bionic range
👉 Or read the Winter Skin Barrier Survival Guide next