Toxic Ingredients
in Beauty Products You Should Know About
Photo courtesy of sanaribeauty.com
Some of the things we do for beauty can prove to be very harmful for our health, especially when we are using conventional beauty products. An average woman applies around 200 chemicals just on her hair and face, each day, and 50 percent of those chemicals are absorbed through her skin. To make things even worse, in some cases we cannot even know which ingredients we are applying, because according to FDA rules, ingredients with less than one percent concentration and color additives do not even have to be listed on the product’s label. Until things change for the better, you should definitely avoid products containing these ingredients.
Fragrance
Most of the beauty products today contain fragrance and we have started to perceive that as normal, but it is far from being so. The cosmetic companies are using FDA loopholes to thousands of different ingredients under the name of “fragrance”. Some of them are hormone-disrupting, such as phthalates. Fragrances are often linked with irritated eyes, headaches and asthma. It is safer to opt for fragrance-free products, or if you love your cosmetics smelling nice, originally scented products.
Diethanolamine (DEA)
This is one perfidious ingredient, so you should be careful with it. If you do your research about DEA you will see that it is neither carcinogenic nor dangerous by itself. Still, when it contact with some other chemicals it can react in creating carcinogen which is later absorbed through skin. DEA goes by many names (Oleamide DEA, Lauramide DEA and Cocamide DEA) and you should steer away from each of them.
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Hydroquinone
A dangerous ingredient prohibited in Japan, Australia and European Union. It is still used in USA and in other countries around the globe. This chemical is used in anti-age cream for lightening the age spots and in skin lightening products. According to doctors from FrontlineER, hydroquinone can lead not only to allergic reaction, but also ochronosis and photosensitivity. Besides, this chemical has carcinogenic properties.
Triethanolamine (TEA)
TEA is the proof we should not take neither chemical as harmless. Seemingly safe, it is the ingredient of many mild beauty products. Still, it can, in some cases be the cause of allergic reactions, eye irritation and skin/hair dryness. If the products you are using on a daily basis contain triethanolamine, it starts to pile up in your organism and then it can become toxic.
Parabens
In 2003 five parabens are banned in European Union “to ensure the safety of cosmetic products for human health”. Still there are still being used, worldwide, to preserve the products of bacteria and fungus. And yes, bacteria and fungus are bad, but parabens are worse. It should be enough to say that they have been, in their many forms (ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and methylparaben) linked to breast cancer.
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Oxybenzone
This ingredient is often found in sunscreens with the function of absorbing ultraviolet light. However, some studies suggest that oxybenzone itself can be absorbed through skin and thus disrupt hormones, damage the cells and potentially lead to cancer. Though the FDA marked it as harmless ingredient it is better to be safe than sorry. You can opt for sunscreens without any potentially harmful ingredients, which are according to the 2012 Sunscreen Guide truly effective. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen has often publicly criticized the chemicals in sunscreens and advised a more natural solution.
Phenylenediamine (PPD)
PPD is usually found in hair and eyelash dyes and it can be pretty dangerous when it comes to contact with your skin or eyes. It has a significant allergic potential, so it is no wonder that some hair dyes are causing difficult skin reactions on the scalp, ears and neck. Hairdressers are especially exposed to PPD, so it is advised to minimize the exposure with the right protection.
There is no need to give up on beauty to be healthy. Organic alternatives to synthetic cosmetics can be just as effective.
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ABOUT
Nicole Noël is a lifestyle blogger passionate about travel, healthy living and fashion. She always seeks new adventures and enjoys sharing her experiences with others. In her free time she loves to design clothes and furniture. You can find her on Twitter and FB.
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