Have you ever examined the ingredients listed on the labels of
your cosmetics or other skin care products? Do you know what
those ingredients are?
What you may not realize is that many of the skin care products
and cosmetics you are buying contain ingredients that are not
only harmful to your skin, but also to your long term health.
Many of these ingredients are known carcinogens (cancer-causing
substances) and are used by the cosmetic industry simply because
they are cheap!
Harmful Ingredients Commonly Found in Skin Care Products and
Cosmetics The following are just some of the synthetic chemicals
that have been identified by scientific studies to be harmful to
our health.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Often described as being "derived from coconut" to disguise
their toxic nature, these chemicals are commonly used in
shampoos, toothpaste, foaming facial and body cleansers and
bubble bath. SLS and ALS can cause severe skin irritation, and
are easily absorbed into the body, building up in the brain,
heart, lungs and liver, leading to potential long term health
problems. SLS and ALS may also cause cataracts, and prevent
children's eyes from developing properly.
Paraben Preservatives Parabens are widely used in cosmetics,
deodorants, skin care and baby products to prolong their shelf
life. They are known to be highly toxic and have caused rashes
and allergic reactions. Recent scientific studies in the UK
found a strong link between the use of parabens and the
increasing rate of breast cancer in women. Researchers found a
high concentration of parabens in 90% of breast tumors tested.
Propylene Glycol Found in many beauty creams, cosmetics and
cleansers, Propylene Glycol can cause skin rashes and contact
dermatitis, and has been shown to cause damage to the kidneys
and liver.
Isopropyl Alcohol Alcohol is used as a solvent in many skin care
products. It causes skin irritation and strips the skin of its
natural acid mantle, promoting the growth of bacteria, moulds
and viruses. It may also cause premature ageing of skin.
DEA (Diethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine) and MEA
(Monoethanolamine) These substances are harsh solvents and
detergents that are used in cosmetics and face and body creams
as an emollient. They can cause allergic reactions, and long
term use of DEA-based products (such as Cocamide DEA) have been
linked to an increase in the incidence of liver and kidney
cancer.
Aluminum A common ingredient in antiperspirants, aluminum has
been linked to Alzheimer's Disease.
Mineral Oil Derived from petroleum (crude oil), mineral oil is
commonly found as a main ingredient of face and body creams and
cosmetics. Baby oil is 100% mineral oil! It coats the skin like
a plastic film, clogging pores and stopping the skin from
eliminating toxins, which can lead to acne and other skin
disorders. Other petroleum based ingredients include paraffin
wax, paraffin oil and petrolatum.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Used as a thickener in skin care
products and cosmetics, PEGs interfere with the skin's natural
moisture balance, causing an increase in ageing and leaving the
skin vulnerable to bacteria.
Talc Talc is a soft mineral used in talcum powders and cosmetic
powders. Scientific studies have shown that routine application
of talcum powder to the genital area is linked with a
three-to-fourfold increase in the development of ovarian cancer.
Inhaling cosmetic powders containing talc may also be harmful to
long term health.
How To Avoid These Toxins Examine the labels of your cosmetics
and skin care products carefully, and learn to recognize
ingredients that are harmful to your skin and to your health.
Many web sites have lists of potentially harmful ingredients in
addition to those shown above (e.g. Environmental Working Group).
Don't be fooled by the words 'natural' or 'organic' on the front
of the label. Many products contain at least one or two natural
or organic ingredients, but they may also contain harmful
synthetic chemicals as well.
Whenever possible, choose products with 100% natural ingredients
such as essential oils and herbs. Your skin will love you for
it!
About the author:
Find out more about
http://www.healthandfinesse.com>General Health at
http://www.healthandfinesse.com>healthandfinesse.com
