Men and women would do pretty much anything to stay younger and get beautiful. Just look at some of the most bizarre beauty practices around the world! In the hunt for beauty and perfection we’ve started to ignore our skin health and general health. The skin products we use are getting more and more technologized and the ingredients in them are always a mouthful. But what most people don’t know is that there are many harmful ingredients in beauty products, causing different issues, from skin dryness to cancer. Today we’re going to take a look at 10 of these harmful ingredients in beauty products.
10. Chlorine
Exposure to chlorine can contribute to hay fever, asthma, bronchitis, dizziness, irritation of the eye, mouth and nose, heart disease, high blood pressure and nausea. Some studies have also found that it could be a possible cause of cancer. Even if you don’t use products that list chlorine as their ingredient, be careful when you’re using swimming pools or laundry products.
9. Color Pigments
Many studies have shown that color pigments will cause skin irritation and sensitivity. Certain colors can even be absorbed through the skin and that will lead to oxygen depletion in the body and cell death. The pigments that are used in the cosmetic industry are made from coal tar and almost all animal studies have shown that color pigments are carcinogenic.
8. Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin
These two are preservative which give beauty care products a longer shelf life. But they also release formaldehyde which can irritate the respiratory system, trigger heart palpitations and skin reactions. More serious side effects include cancer and weakening of the immune system. Nearly all brands of skin and hair care contain ingredients that release formaldehyde.
7. Fragrance
Fragrance is present in almost all of our personal care products: deodorants, shampoos, wet wipes and body care, but many of the compounds that make up fragrances are toxic to the skin. They can affect the central nervous system and cause irritability and even behavioral changes. Fragrance is usually one single item on the ingredient list, but it can cane up to 4,000 separate ingredients.
6. Propylene Glycol (PG)
Propylene Glycol is a wetting agent and a solvent that is used in antifreeze and also personal care products. It penetrates the skin very quickly and workers who manipulate PG are required to wear gloves and goggles, as well as protective clothes. If they are required to wear all that to protect themselves, why are we putting it on our skin?
5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
These two are some of the most harmful ingredients in beauty products you could find out there. They are used as detergents and surfactants and are also found in car wash soaps, floor cleaners and engine degreasers as well as toothpaste and almost all shampoos. They cause eye damage, skin irritation and corrosion among many other issues. Some studies have hinted that they could cause immune system suppression, but more studies are needed to confirm.
4. Isopropyl Alcohol
This substance is found in body scrubs, hand lotions, fragrances, hair color rinses and many other cosmetics. It is a petroleum-derived solvent that is also used as antifreeze. Inhalation or ingestion of the vapor will cause skin flushing, headaches, nausea, vomiting and even coma. Well, what did you expect, you’re putting antifreeze on your skin.
3. PEG
PEG is an abbreviation for a substance called polyethylene glycol that helps dissolve oil and grease. It is used in cleansing products for this purpose, but also to thicken the consistency of the product. They are found in many personal care products, are potentially carcinogenic and also strip the skin from its natural moisture.
2. Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a substance that is derived from petrol. It isn’t absorbed by the skin, like natural oil is, and just sits atop of the skin, like plastic (because it basically is plastic). When too much is used on your skin, the natural immune barrier is disrupted and the skin loses its ability to breathe and gain or lose moisture. Did you know that baby oil is 100% mineral oil?
1. DEA, MEA and TEA
DEA and MEA are hormone disrupting chemicals which are known to cause cancer due to nitrates and nitrosamines. They are very often found in personal care products that produce foam, such as bubble baths, shampoos, soaps, body washes and facial cleansers. DEA-based detergents increase the incidents of liver and kidney cancers, it has been proven.
Do you have any harmful ingredients in beauty products? Did they ever cause you any discomfort or issues? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
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