Be careful with the ingredients of beauty products
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The secret to smooth, youthful skin is far from expensive creams and other beauty products promoted by chemical laboratories. In fact, most of the products sold in stores accelerate skin aging, affect the endocrine system and make one look 10 years older than one really is.
How commercial cosmetic products make us look older
Almost 100% of beauty products that claim to be “anti-aging” are packed with dangerous chemicals that actually accentuate wrinkles, destroy skin cells, increase body weight, unbalance hormones, cause infertility and produce acne.
The 7 worst ingredients a skincare product can have
These skin-damaging products can be found in both commercial beauty products and degreasing products, for cleaning cars, floors and more…
SULFATE
A chemical that disrupts the endocrine system and removes the outer layer of the dermis, leaving it vulnerable to the penetration of harmful agents and diminishing its protective qualities.
It can cause hair loss, hormonal imbalances, infertility, ultra-sensitive skin, dryness and accentuation of wrinkles.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Found in foaming products such as shampoos, cleansers and bath foams. SLES may be contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane, a possible cancer-causing substance. SLS is harmful to the liver, irritates the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Harmful to both marine and wildlife.
Overexposure to SLS has been linked to eye damage, depression, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and severe skin irritation. It remains in the body for up to 5 days during which time it can penetrate and maintain residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs, and brain. SLS is also toxic to aquatic organisms.
Depending on the manufacturing process, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate may contain high amounts of Ethylene Oxide and 1,4-Dioxane. The former is a known carcinogen that is also linked to damage to the nervous system and the natural development of the human body. 1,4-Dioxane, on the other hand, does not degrade easily and can remain in the environment for a long time even after being rinsed off in the shower. 1,4-Dioxane can be removed from cosmetics during manufacturing by vacuum deaeration, but customers who purchase a product cannot know if it has gone through this process.
PARABEN
It is a cheap preservative used to extend the shelf life of a product and its expiration date. While it makes the product containing it look and smell fresh, it does the opposite in the human body.
Its effects are dryness, redness of the skin, burning sensation on sensitive skin, increase in expression lines and wrinkles on the skin.
Parabens occur naturally at low levels in certain foods such as barley, strawberries, vanilla, carrots and onions; however, it is a preparation derived from petrochemicals that is used in cosmetics.
Parabens present in food are metabolized during digestion, making them much less estrogenic. In contrast, parabens found in cosmetics bypass the metabolic process and enter the bloodstream and body organs intact.
ETHANOLAMINE
Also called 2-aminoethanol or monoethanolamine (found on ingredient lists of creams and skin products as ETA or MEA), it is a toxic, flammable, corrosive, colorless, viscous liquid. It is used to make soap and detergents, as well as inks, dyes, and rubber. It causes skin reactions such as irritation, dryness, inflammation, burning, and increases the visibility of wrinkles and expression lines.
SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES AND PERFUMES
Widely used, even as the last ingredient in “unscented” products, it is a mixture of chemicals that cause allergies and asthma. Some are linked to cancer and neurotoxicity and are even harmful to marine life and wildlife.
Nearly 3,000 chemicals are used to produce a pleasant scent in perfumes, lotions and deodorants, many of which have not even been tested for toxicity levels alone or in combination with other chemicals.
Many of these chemicals trigger asthma, allergy and migraine symptoms. A survey of people with asthma found that perfumes and lotions induced attacks in nearly 3 out of 4 individuals surveyed.
TRICLOSAN
Present in “antibacterial” products such as toothpaste, soaps and hand sanitizers. They interfere with hormonal function, harmful to marine life and wildlife.
Triclosan passes through the skin and interferes with endocrine function. The European Union classifies triclosan as a skin and eye irritant, as well as toxic to marine life. In Canada, it has been categorized as a bioaccumulative toxicant, meaning it does not break down easily and remains in the environment even after being rinsed off in the shower, accumulating in the form of toxic dioxins.
ALUMINUM
Common ingredient in deodorants and antiperspirants. It has often been linked to Alzheimer's and mental disorders, and is also a possible risk factor for breast cancer.
Aluminum can be found in drinking water, feminine hygiene products, cow's and soy milk, antacids, aluminum foil, of course, and pots and pans. In water, aluminum is used to remove waste residue by sticking to it and causing it to stick together. Unfortunately, it is a neurotoxin that also sticks to our red and white blood cells, our hormones, and can lead to microvascular leakage and eventually, more serious problems.
Aluminum compounds are used as the active ingredient in antiperspirants that form a temporary plug in the sweat ducts, slowing the flow of sweat to the skin's surface. Some studies suggest that aluminum-based compounds frequently applied near the breasts are absorbed by the skin and cause an estrogenic effect. Because estrogen can promote the growth of breast cancer cells, some scientists suggest that aluminum-based ingredients in deodorants and antiperspirants contribute to breast cancer.
TALC
It is found in baby powder, face powder, and body powder. It is a known carcinogen and is the main cause of ovarian cancer. It can be harmful if inhaled as it lodges in the lungs causing respiratory problems.
Talc is toxic, its particles causing tumors in the ovaries and lungs of humans. Talc particles can travel through the reproductive system and settle on the lining of the ovaries. Researchers have found frequent use of talc in the genital areas of women with ovarian cancer and tumors compared to women without the condition.
Talc is closely linked to carcinogenic asbestos, which has been shown to cause tumors in victims of ovarian and lung cancer. In response to the similarity in hazards of talc and asbestos, the FDA issued a ruling in 1973 limiting the amount of asbestos-like fibers present in cosmetic talc. However, this ruling has not been enforced anywhere in the industry or in any country.
Other no less dangerous chemicals present in cosmetic products are:
- Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel and more.
- Sunscreens (with Retinyl Palmitate, Oxybenzone and Octyl Methoxycinnate)
Let's try to use organic, bio products that can be eaten or spread on.
Sources:
www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/