TOXIC INGREDIENTS IN COSMETICS
As you are probably used to checking the labels of the food products on the store shelves, it is very important to do the same when you choose to buy new cosmetic body care products.
There are thousands of chemical products in classic cosmetic products, which are unfortunately approved for consumption, the justification being that they only cause major damage in large quantities. However, take into account that there is no day in which you do not use at least 2-3 personal care products. And the ingredients they contain are quickly absorbed by the skin and transmitted into the blood. Many of them are allergenic, irritating to the skin, lead to hormonal imbalances and even cancer.
For this reason, it is as important as in the case of food to analyse what the cosmetic products we use contain and their sources.
Below are highlighted 10 of the most dangerous synthetic ingredients that are frequently found in classic cosmetic products, present by thousands on supermarket shelves.
PARABENS – if you frequently use body care products, it's impossible not to have heard of them. Although they are so controversial, parabens are still present in many cosmetic products, from low cost to professional ones. Although the role of parabens is to preserve cosmetic products and extend their shelf life, preventing the development of mould, bacteria or yeast in the bottles, their harmful effects far exceed the benefits they offer.
Parabens have properties that mimic oestrogen, a hormone secreted by our endocrine system, leading to imbalances that underlie the increased risk of various types of cancer, the most common of which is breast cancer. These substances are absorbed by the skin and have been detected in biopsy analyses of breast tumours. Parabens are found in abundance in make-up products, shampoos, soaps, deodorants or shower gels. They are also present in food and pharmaceutical products.
SYNTHETIC DYES - If you find indications like "Red27", "Blue 1", "Green3", etc. on the labels of cosmetic products, you can be sure that the respective product contains synthetic dyes. These dyes are derived from petroleum or tar. Synthetic dyes are suspected of being carcinogenic, irritating to the skin, plus they are linked to ADHD syndrome in children.
SYNTHETIC PERFUMES – This category of chemical ingredients is more dangerous because we do not know clearly enough what "perfume" means. This term was created to protect a cosmetic formula invented by a famous perfume company. According to studies carried out in this direction, synthetic scented essences have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory disorders and potential effects on the reproductive system. Perfumes are found in many cosmetic products, including hair conditioners, shampoos, shower gels, creams and, of course, the much-appreciated synthetic perfumes.
SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS) - this surfactant can be found in more than 90% of personal care products. However, SLS is known to be irritating to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. One thing with major harmful potential is the possibility that SLS, in combination with other chemicals, can form nitrosamines, a carcinogen. These harmful chemical mixtures can also lead to several other health problems, such as kidney and respiratory damage. SLS can be found in classic shampoos, shower gels, make-up products or cosmetic products for the treatment of acne.
PHTHALATES – a synthetic ingredient used in thousands of cosmetic products to increase the flexibility and malleability of plastic. The three main categories of products containing phthalates are nail polishes (dibutyl phthalate), perfumes and lotions (diethyl phthalate), and hair sprays (dimethyl phthalate). Phthalates are known to be endocrine disruptors and are linked to increased risk of breast cancer, early sexual development in girls and reproductive defects at birth. Unfortunately, it is not displayed as an ingredient for all products, as it is included in the generic category "flavours".
TRICLOSAN – is an antimicrobial chemical ingredient widely used in cosmetic products, but famous as a hormonal disruptor – especially for thyroid and reproductive hormones and is irritating to the skin. Studies suggest that triclosan contributes to the formation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In addition, there is no eloquent study that shows that the use of antibacterial products, such as soaps, increases the effectiveness of these products. Triclosan is found in toothpaste, deodorants and antibacterial soaps.
FORMALDEHYDE – preservative used in many cosmetic products to prevent the formation of bacteria. This chemical substance has been labelled as carcinogenic and associated in particular with types of nasal and laryngopharyngeal cancer, caused by polluting work environments. Formaldehyde produces allergic skin reactions and is harmful to the immune system. It can be found in nail polishes, shower gels, balms, shampoos, eye shadows, nail treatments, make-up removers or exfoliates.
TOLUENE – a petrochemical cosmetic ingredient derived from petroleum or tar. You can find it on the labels of cosmetic products with names such as benzene, toluene, phenyl methane, methylbenzene. Toluene is a strong solvent, able to dissolve the paint. It can affect the respiratory system, cause nausea and irritate the skin. It is recommended that pregnant women avoid exposure to toluene vapours, because it can cause damage to the development of the foetus. Toluene also attacks the immune system, weakening it. Toluene can be found in nail polish, nail/hair treatments, hair bleaching products.
DEA- is used in the production of diethanolamides, which are common ingredients in cosmetics and shampoos, added to give a creamy texture and a foaming action. Recently, this chemical substance was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as "possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B)". DEA is a potential skin irritant. In addition, a study showed that DEA inhibits the absorption of choline, which is necessary for the development of the nervous system in children. DEA causes changes in body weight and organs, indicating systemic blood toxicity, disorders of the liver, kidneys and male sexual organs.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL – is used in the cosmetic industry as a humectant, it helps other ingredients to absorb better into the skin. It is classified as a skin irritant and is associated with the production of dermatitis and urticaria - these effects occurring at concentrations of approx. 2%. It can be found in moisturizers, sunscreens, make-up products, hair conditioner, shampoo or hair sprays.
Feed your skin with Nature!
How can we take care of our beauty naturally and safely, without endangering our health?
We all know that it would be impossible to aim to avoid all chemical substances through the products we use every day. But what is important is that we aim to control this process, to the extent that we avoid exposing our body to the minimum of chemical cosmetic substances that are potentially harmful to health.
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, make sure you eat healthy, avoid processed foods, drink plenty of pure water and look for natural, organic and certified organic cosmetic products.
Natural/bio or organic products contain natural ingredients, plant extracts and gentle compounds for your skin care. The mainly vegetable, natural and organic ingredients in their composition are carefully checked and combined to offer effective and healthy complexes for body care.
Always check the label of the products you buy; in this way you have control over the ingredients you apply to your body through the cosmetics used.