As we all know in this day and age, we are all paying more attention to what we put into our bodies and if we aren’t, then we may need to be paying a bit more attention. It can be overwhelming to the whole list of ingredients and or all the things we should and should not ingest. I was doing some research and found some interesting ingredients that can be found in cosmetics, lotion, shampoo, conditioner and even body washes, which we all use on a daily basis.
Fragrance/Dyes:
We all love smelling things that remind us of when we were children at our grandma’s house or just certain scents we love. It seems most products that are out there, have some type of fragrance in them. But these are one of the 5 allergens of the world! They also can contain hazardous synthetic chemicals . These fragrances are supposedly linked to hormone disruption and allergic reactions and can affect the nervous system. If you love fragrances like I do, try and use essential oils and natural scents.
Parabens:
(Propyl, Isopropyl, Butyl and Isobutylparabens)
They are estrogen-mimicking preservatives that help our products have a longer shelf life. These toxic chemicals may disturb the endocrine system and cause reproductive and developmental disorders. They also have been linked to breast cancer. These are found in your shampoos, conditioners, body washes, shaving creams, face lotions, body lotions etc.
Triclosan and Triclocarban antibacterials:
These are found in liquid soaps (triclosan) and bars of soap (triclocarban). They are found in some of antimicrobial cleaning products. Triclosan disrupts the thyroid and it properly functioning. These dangerous toxins can affect reproductive hormones and if overused, may promote bacterial resistance to a many other host of germs. These products are usually labeled “antibacterial,” kills germs,” and “fights odor.”
So remember plain soap and water will do the trick!
Mineral Oil:
This is actually a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil. It’s cheap for manufactures to work with and does not spoil. This you can find in baby products ranging from baby oils, baby lotions, vaseline…etc. It clogs your pores and makes the body work harder to eliminate toxins out, so basically your skin is not breathing. This is a foreign substance to the body and can be harmful, if used on a regular basis.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES):
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a bit more gentle, than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). These are found in our soaps, shampoos and body washes. They are what suds up when shampooing and makes your hair feel really clean, but it can irritate your skin and scalp. SLS has alcohol compounds that have traces of 1,4-dioxane, which is listed in the US as “probable human carcinogens.” So this one you want to stay away from and more conscious of trying not to use.
Here were some common ingredients that are in a lot of our beauty products. If you make one small change in reading labels, you can become a more educated consumer and be aware of dangerous chemicals that you are putting into your body. It’s hard to think of all the ingredients that you have to watch out for. Everything has some type of chemical in it. As a working freelance Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist it is good to be aware of these products and I will do my best to work with healthier products, when feasible.
For more information with regards to this posting, you can click on these links to further your awareness.
References:
The Environmental Working Group:
Scientific American Article: Scent of Danger: “Are There Toxic Ingredients in Perfumes and Colognes?”
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
The Good Human
EWG’s Skin Deep
The Encyclopedia of Earth
Herbal Luxuries Inc.
Livestrong.com
