Toxic Cosmetics
When you see “organic” or “natural” on the label of your cosmetics product, should you sit back, relax, and trust that what you are putting on your skin is safe and effective? Not really. Remember that the cosmetics industry is self-regulated. This means that they are pretty much allowed to make organic and natural claims, despite the fact that their intention may be to mislead the public into buying their products. For example, a cosmetic manufacturer could put “organic” on its label, but could actually mean its scientific definition—that the product contains carbon—and not what we normally take the word “organic” to mean. Get the drift? To help you shop for cosmetics products wiser, we enumerate the top three in the toxic cosmetics list. These toxic cosmetic ingredients are formulated with and can cause anything from simple skin irritation to high risk for cancer.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodim Laureth Sulfate
They are more simply referred to as SLS and SLES. These chemicals are traditionally used in detergent products and as surfactants. Surfactants are chemicals that break up the surface tension, making liquid spread out across the area instead of concentrating in droplets. SLS an SLES are typically found in soaps and industrial cleaners, but is also often used as a primary ingredient for making cosmetics, especially those that are supposed to lather. How are they harmful? Studies have linked these chemicals to gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
Mineral Oils
Check your hand and body lotion or makeup remover brand to see if it is formulated with mineral oils, because it most probably is. Mineral oil is a clear liquid made from distilling crude oil to produce gasoline. Since it is only a by-product, it comes cheap. It fact, it might be cheaper to find some use for it than to throw it away. The problem is, mineral oil has been found to have hazardous effects on the body. When you put on a product containing mineral oil, it covers the body like a layer of cellophane, causing your pores to get clogged and preventing them from naturally disposing of toxins. This further hinders the process of cell reproduction, causing the skin to age prematurely.
Synthetic Scents
Did you know that a single synthetic scent, also known as fragrance or Phthalates, used in any cosmetic product could contain as much as 200 sub-ingredients? The number is disconcerting. But what is worse is the fact that consumers are not properly apprised of what these ingredients are. The label only says “fragrance” or “scent.” To be safe, stay away from any product that contains “fragrance” in their label. Some of the side-effects and health hazards that have been linked to these fragrance ingredients include headaches and migraine, allergy, vertigo and dizziness, skin rashes and pigmentation, as well as discoloration. This is because fragrances are likely to be formulated with petroleum derivatives that cause these effects.
So the next time you shop for your personal care or cosmetics kit, remember these top three toxic ingredients, and you’re three times safer than the next unwitting shopper.
