Do you think FDA does a substandard job in regulating what is going in our food? Well you will be equally disappointed if not more when it comes to regulation of cosmetics and personal care products. The way you check the labels on your food do the same for the beauty products you buy.
The products that you use contain thousands of chemicals which get absorbed in your body. These companies have been given carte blanche to use whatever ingredient or raw material they want without the approval or any kind of review by the government.
The cosmetic industry is a highly unregulated industry. There are no pre product approvals before the products come in the market and are bought by you. An extremely short approval process does exist but it is only for the colour additives and the ingredients that are classified as over-the-counter drugs.
The synthetic chemicals that are used in these products, many of them are skin penetrators, skin irritants, and endocrine disrupter and are carcinogenic. The list of chemicals is very long but we have compiled a list of 10 which you should avoid at any cost.
1. Parabens
Parabens are preservatives that are widely used in cosmetic products to prevent the growth of mould, yeast and bacteria in them. But what you do not know is that parabens possess properties that mimic estrogen and are associated with the increase in the risk of breast cancer. These chemicals get absorbed in the skin and have been found in the biopsy samples of breast tumours. This chemical can be found in all kinds of personal-care products such as body washes, shampoos, facial cleaners, deodorants and make-up. You can even find them in pharmaceutical products and food.
2. Synthetic Colours
Take a look at the label of your product if you find FD&C or D&C written on it then you know that these letters represent artificial colours. F stands for food and D&C stands for drug and cosmetics. These letters are followed by a colour and number. For example D&C Red 27 or FD&C Blue 1. These synthetic colours are obtained from coal tar or petroleum sources. It is suspected that synthetic colours are human carcinogen, skin irritants and have been linked to ADHD in children. According to the European Classification and Labelling they are considered human carcinogen and have been banned by the European Union.
3. Fragrance
Do you know what fragrance means? The term fragrance was created to protect the secret formula of a company. But as a customer you are using a concoction of chemicals that is hazardous for your health. According to EWG (Environmental Working Group) Skin Deep Database, allergies, respiratory distress, dermatitis and potential effects on the reproductive system have all been associated with fragrance mixes. This is found in a huge number of products including perfumes, colognes, body washes, shampoos and moisturisers.
4.Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are used in many products to increase the softness and flexibility of plastics. Main phthalates that are used in cosmetics and personal-care products are diethyl phthalate used in perfumes and lotions, dimethyl phthalate used in hair sprays and dibutyl phthalate used in nail polishes. These phthalates are known to be endocrine disruptors and are associated with the increase in the risk of breast cancer, reproductive birth defects in females and males and early development of breast in girls. But what is most unfortunate is that these are not mentioned on every product as they are added to fragrances (the secret formula). They can be found in hair sprays, deodorants, perfumes, colognes and moisturisers.
5. Triclosan
A widely used antimicrobial chemical called triclosan, is a known endocrine disruptor especially reproductive and thyroid hormones and is also a skin irritant. Studies have raised the concern that triclosan plays a role in making bacteria resistant to antibiotic. There is also not enough evidence which proves that antibacterial soaps containing triclosan have any benefit over washing with just regular soap and water. Triclosan can be found in antibacterial soaps, deodorants and toothpastes.
6. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate(Sls)/ Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Sles)
More than 90 percent of cleaning products and personal-care products contain this surfactant. SLS is a known eye, lung and skin irritant. Another concern about SLS is that it has the potential of combining with other chemicals and forms nitrosamines which is a carcinogen. This combination leads to other issues such as respiratory and kidney damage. You can find them in body wash, body cleanser, shampoo, and mascara and acne treatment products.
7. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing preservatives (FRPs) are used to prevent the growth of bacteria in many cosmetic products. This chemical has been considered a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Carcinogens (IARC). It has also been linked to the occupational related cancers like nasal and nasopharyngeal. It causes allergic skin reactions and can be harmful for the immune system. It is found in body washes, shampoos, conditioners, eye shadows, nail polish, nail treatments and cleansers.
8. Toluene
Toluene is a petrochemical which is obtained from coal tar or petroleum sources. You can find it on the labels under the name of benzene, methylbenzene, toluol or phenylmethane. Toluene is a powerful solvent which can dissolve paint and paint thinner. It can cause nausea, affect your respiratory system and irritate your skin. Pregnant women should avoid being exposed to the vapours of toluene as they can cause developmental damage in the unborn baby. Toluene is also linked with immune system toxicity. You can find it in nail polish, hair colour, nail treatments and bleaching products.
9. Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is a commonly used skin-conditioning agent which is a small organic alcohol. It is a skin penetrator and a skin irritant. It has been linked with causing dermatitis and even hives in humans. These effects are can be seen even if the concentration of propylene glycol is as low as 2 percent. This chemical is found in sunscreens, moisturisers; make up products, shampoos, conditioners and hair sprays.
10. Sunscreen Chemicals
The chemicals used in sunscreens to absorb the ultraviolet rays are endocrine disruptors and are easily absorbed by the body. They can cause cancer and cellular damage. The most common chemicals in sunscreen products are PABA, homosalate, benzophenone, avobenzone and ethoxycinnmate.
It may seem impossible to avoid all of these synthetic chemicals but you can limit the amount of toxins you expose your body to. Eat healthy foods and avoid processed foods which are laden with chemicals, drink lot of filter water and use products that are certified as organic to avoid the toxic chemicals.
