INGREDIENT ALERT

Got high- maintenance skin?

Memorize this.

Be on the lookout for “fragrance” or “parfum” on labels. According

to the Environmental Working Group, these words are used to describe an undisclosed cocktail of potentially irritating ingredients.

Be mindful of laundry detergents, household cleaners, candles, soaps and hand sanitizers. If you wash

your towels or bedsheets in a detergent containing an irritating fragrance, your skin isn’t getting

much of a break. Avoid antibiotic ointments, unless prescribed by a dermatologist. “Bacitracin, an over-the-counter antibiotic, is a common allergen,”

says Landells. The Canadian Dermatology Association (dermatology.ca) offers the Skin Health Program, which helps Canadians find products that are less likely

to irritate sensitive skin.