4 Ingredients Found In Tissues That May Make You Reconsider Blowing Your Nose With One

Whether you have a cold, flu or are suffering from seasonal allergies, we all reach for that store-bought tissue. The infamous Kleenex brand has become a household staple, with many of us using it on a daily basis. However, many of us remain unaware of its dangerous and harmful effects it has on our health.

In fact, from skin issues to inhibiting proper nerve function, that innocent Kleenex box may be compromising your wellbeing! Find out below the nasty chemicals hidden in conventional tissue brands and small changes you can make on your next shopping trip. Your body will thank you!

Kleenex’s Nasty Ingredient List

In the standard “anti-viral” or “aloe” Kleenex Brand tissues, you’ll find an overwhelming list of harmful, strange and toxic chemicals. In any given Kleenex tissue, you’ll find the following ingredients:

Citric Acid
Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLF)

Mineral oil (Paraffinum Liquidum)
Ceresin
Stearyl Alcohol

Isopropyl Palmitate
Dimethicone
Tocopherol Acetate

Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLF)

The dangers of using SLF have been well-documented. With that, many health advocates and regulators have recommended to avoid SLF at all costs. For instance, according to the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Review on SLF, it has been linked to:

Irritation of the skin and eyes
Organ toxicity

Developmental/reproductive toxicity
Neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, ecotoxicology, and biochemical or cellular changes
Possible mutations and cancer

Dimethicone

Dimethicone is used as a topical moisturizer or to treat and prevent rough, dry, scaly, itchy skin. However, dimethicone, when used on a regular basis has been documented to cause the burning, itching, redness and irritation of the skin. Plus, when used in conjunction with other preservatives and fragrances (often found in Kleenex), dimethicone can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, and therefore, prone to sun damage and skin cancer.

Mineral Oil

“Mineral oil” is a known petrochemical that contains neurotoxins that damage the nervous system. Dangerously to you skin, “Mineral oil forms a film on the surface of your skin that can not be absorbed, thereby blocking the pores and the skin’s natural respiration. It traps dirt and bacteria and blocks the absorption of vitamins/minerals/botanicals that may be in a product.” To boot, the John Hopkins University named mineral oil found in moisturizers and cosmetics as the number two cause of aging – with direct sun exposure taking the number one slot!

Isopropyl Palmitate

Isopropyl palmitate can cause severe skin irritations. When used in products that also contain synthetic alcohol (like Kleenex!) can cause or worsen serious skin issues, like eczema, acne, and dermatitis. Notably, due its high viscosity, the regular use of tissue with isopropyl palmitate on your face, is likely to lead to pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. To boot, due to its high alcoholic content, it dries up the skin, leading to a hypersensitive, dry and irritated skin.

Better Tissue Options

So, we’ve covered the dangers of using conventional Kleenex on a regular basis. However, avoiding tissue’s all together is both impractical and inconvenient. When purchasing a store-bought tissue, here’s what you should be looking for to ensure that you’re making the best purchase for your health!