In the same way that you check the label when doing your groceries for food, you should also look into the ingredients list in the makeup, skincare and hair products that you buy. These cosmetic products are applied on your skin, scalp, close to your eyes and on your lips. You don’t want harmful chemicals to be absorbed into your body through your skin, do you? Below, we’ve rounded up the top beauty ingredients to avoid.
Parabens
Paraben is one of the makeup ingredients to avoid which is effective preservative that prevents the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria in beauty products. Sounds like a good thing, doesn’t it? In fact, the FDA has determined its inclusion in cosmetic products as safe.
However, scientists believe that products containing parabens should be avoided due to its estrogen-mimicking properties which disrupt the delicate endocrine system. There have been scientific studies where paraben was found in human breast tumors, suggesting that its consumption leads to an increased risk of breast cancer.
To be safe, stay away from methylparaben, proplyparaben, isopropylparaben, or any ingredient which has the word ‘paraben’ in it.
Phthalates
Phthalates are among the toxic makeup ingredients and are used as ‘plasticizers’ – they increase the flexibility of plastics and change the texture of skincare products. Common phthalates include dibutyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, and dimethyl phthalate.
Like parabens, they are known as endocrine disruptors and may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer in females and reproductive defects in males. In addition, A University of Rochester Medical Center study has associated the consumption of phthalates with abdominal obesity in men.
Sulfates
Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are surfactants commonly found in cleansers, detergents, shampoos, and other foaming products.
Sulfates are eye, skin, and lung irritants which are easily absorbed and retained in the body. When used together with nitrogen-based ingredients, SLS could produce carcinogenic nitrates which enter the blood stream and cause irritation, rashes and allergies on the skin and scalp. Potential hair loss is also a risk.
The nitrosamines that sulfates produce are potent carcinogens which lead the body to absorb more nitrates than one usually would when eating nitrate-contaminated food. If you use nitrate-contaminated cosmetic products, you are applying 50 to 100 micrograms of nitrosamines whereas you’re exposed to less than 1 microgram of nitrosamine when eating a hot dog.
Synthetic Fragrances
Perfumes are made out of a concoction of many chemicals in order to produce a unique and distinct scent. There’s simply no reason to expose yourself to all these chemicals, many of which are petroleum derived. These are known irritants which cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems and hormone disruption.
Synthetic Color
One of the makeup ingredients to avoid is artificial color. As many as 25 chemical ingredients are used to produce the synthetic purple color. Again, many of these are derived from petroleum sources and may be skin irritants and carcinogenic. Watch out for ingredients containing D&C (Drug & Cosmetics) followed by a color and number.
When buying makeup, hair and skin care products, be mindful of the beauty ingredients to avoid. Go for organic, natural or mineral items. There are many brands today which focus on introducing safe cosmetic products into the market.
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