The Hidden Dangers of Dryer Sheets

Today I would like to talk about one very popular household item that you are probably using every day but never thought that it could be causing acne and other health problems.

This little piece of fabric can smell so nice and make your clothes feel silky soft…. Yes, I’m talking about dryer sheets.

Scented products like dryer sheets and fabric softeners smell so nice it’s easy to underestimate just how much they can harm your body.

You would think it’s just a piece of fabric so what’s the big deal? Right? … Well, unfortunately, these products are very heavily scented with harmful chemicals that their potential for causing lung irritation and headaches is gaining more and more attention.

Chemicals that Irritate Your Skin

The deceptively fresh scent of a dryer sheet comes from a chemical soup that includes acetone, ethanol, acetaldehyde, alpha-terpineol, and other synthetic compounds. Many of these compounds are also found in car exhaust and factory emissions. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have many negative health effects.

They linger on your clothing and bedding, then transfer to your skin, causing irritation and inflammation. They can also increase your risk of  getting breakouts. 

If you use dryer sheets on your clothes and bed sheets, you’re exposed to these chemicals literally day and night, so it’s no surprise they’ll affect your skin eventually.

Worse yet, some of these chemicals can disrupt your body’s hormone balance, potentially worsening hormonal acne.

Wax that Clogs Your Pores

To make fabric feel softer and to prevent static cling, dryer sheets are coated with a thin layer of wax. During the drying process, the wax will transfer to your clothes and fabrics and make them feel softer. This wax will eventually rub off  onto your skin and clog your pores. I know you can’t really feel it there, but because your pores are so tiny, it doesn’t take much to fill them.

Most facial and body cleansers aren’t designed to wash away this wax, so it can stay locked in your pores for days which will allow oils and bacteria to back up, leading to acne.

What is the alternative?

Don’t be mislead by claims of “natural” or “eco-friendly” ingredients on dryer sheet packaging. Even these products contain certain amounts of skin irritants and waxes.

If you want soft, fresh-scented laundry and healthy skin without the use of harmful chemicals, then I suggest you ditch the dryer sheets and use natural felted wool laundry balls instead.

They are all-natural, with no synthetic fibers or chemicals used. Dryer balls will shorten drying time, soften and fluff fabric, and reduce static. You can also scent them by adding a couple of drops of essential oil (lavender, lemon etc.) to the balls. This will help give your clothes a nice smell.

Here is a great natural wool ball that you can find on amazon.

Seemingly minor changes like this, combined with the right skin care routine, go a long way towards keeping your skin clear and healthy again.

Do you need expert skin care advice from an Acne Specialist? Schedule your appointment for a consultation to get the personalized advice on products and treatments that are right for you.

Visit www.envisionacnecenter.com  and book your Acne Consultation Now!

© 2016 Nikolett Ivanyi, Envision Acne Center;  For more information go to www.envisionacnecenter.com.

Please note that all blog posts and content created by Envision Acne and Skincare Center are not intended to be used as medical advice or as a substitute for it and are designed for your information and educational awareness only. We always recommend that you consult with a medical practitioner regarding any health or skincare issues you have, as they may wish to carry out a full health assessment before recommending you to a licensed aesthetician and acne professional.