10 harmful chemicals to avoid in personal care products

 

Photo by Camille Brodard ~ Kmile Feminine Creative Designer on Unsplash  Edited by ConSCIENCE

In daily basis, we use a lot of products in our skin to make it better, whether it is a makeup or skincare product. All the products are made up of so many different chemicals that may harm us instead of benefiting.

So, be tricky to choose your cosmetics or skincare or health care products, just like you check the back of your any packaged food products. Just don’t believe the brand blindly, because, not all the products of any one brand are good and of high quality.

There are some harmful chemicals, which may irritate your skin or you get rashes or it may just act like a slow poison, i.e. you can’t feel any problem but gradually it will harm you one day.

This article brings you the information about top 10 harmful chemicals found in daily cosmetics, skincare and health care products you have to avoid if possible.

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1.  Parabens

First on the list of harmful chemicals to avoid is Paraben. It a very unsafe chemical used as preservatives in different makeup and skincare products like foundation, concealer, body lotion, moisturizer etc.

There are four types of harmful parabens like, methylparaben, proplyparaben, isopropylparaben and isobutylparaben. If any products listed ‘parabens’, avoid it.

There is wide array of theory that excessive use of Parabens leads to breast cancer. A study showed that 99% of all the breast cancer contained Parabens.

It is known that they disturbs the endocrine hormones, mimic the oestrogen and leads to hormonal imbalance. But there is another view, which depicts that the daily exposures from the cosmetics only is not so big deal.

But, not everyone’s skin is same or they react the same way to the chemicals, so, care should be taken well in advance. Yes, you can absolutely find some brands without Parabens to switch.

2. Phthalate

Phthalate is another harmful chemicals found in a wide variety of products like shampoo, nail polish, moisturizer, hair sprays etc. and act as softeners or lubricants.

It has a vast role in forming cancer by disrupting endocrine system and reproductive birth defects in child.

It is hard to found in the list of ingredients of many products because it is included in the fragrance of that product. Everyone of us love the smell of perfume or any other skincare products, but, including perfume, those are mixed with highly toxic chemicals which harm your health anyway.

So, it is better to avoid some highly fragrant cosmetics or skin care products for personal use.

3. Sulphate

Number three on the list of harmful chemicals to avoid is sulphate. There is a second thought that whether it is safe to use or not, but you should be careful. Contacting sulphates on a daily basis is not so good for your health.

It is an ingredient found in toothpaste, cleansers, shampoos, works as a foaming agent. Sodium Lauryl sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) are the most common type to use in the cosmetics. 

Another compounds known as “nitrosamines” are produced as the by-products of sulphation process, are believed to be carcinogenic to human. It can also cause cancer, irritates the skin and leaves the skin dry. So, check the list of ingredients of the item you want to buy.

4. Formaldehyde

Number four on the list of harmful chemicals is formaldehyde; it is a colourless, flammable gas, which is used as preservatives in different makeup and skin care products like nail polish, foundation, body lotions, deodorants etc.

Minimal use of it causes allergy, skin irritation, difficulty in breathing, watery eyes, runny and burning nose, dizziness and suffocation (if inhaled), whether, excessive use of it causes cancer, because it is a human carcinogen also.

Try to avoid or limit using such cosmetics or products containing formaldehyde from now for your safety. 

5. Triclosan

Number five on the list of harmful chemicals is triclosan, an antibacterial agent, used in different soaps and cosmetics. In 2016, FDA has banned triclosan from incorporation to soaps, but it is still there in mascara, foundation, toothpaste, deodorants etc.

Yes, it an effective anti-bacterial agent, but, Triclosan is known to act as an endocrine disruptor and it can cause gut inflammation and tumour growth in mammals and works as a skin irritants. 

It is a harmful chemical to environment also, it disintegrates very slowly and harm the aquatic animals too. 

6. Talc

Talc is not so good for your health and you have to be aware of this ingredient in some talcum powder. Those powders are very soft because they contain talc as softest mineral.

Talc is mainly used to absorb moisture and found in baby powder, blush, eye shadow, soap, etc. Talc is known to cause cancer, and often cause lung tumour when inhaled.

In a study at 2018 reported that, a 35 year old lady died by ovarian cancer due to talc content in a baby powder of a renowned company . 

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7. Lead

Number seven is lead, another harmful chemical to avoid in cosmetics and skin care products. You can find it in lipsticks, eyeliners, toothpaste etc. Every girls out there like to wear lipstick on daily basis including me, but, it is necessary to check your brand before swipe a vibrant colour on your lips.

The American FDA has allowed 0 to 20 ppm concentrations of lead in cosmetics, so, it better to avoid a great amount of lead on your lips.

8. Oxybenzone

Number eight on the list of harmful chemicals to avoid is oxybenzone, an important ingredient of sunscreen lotion. It is known to act as an endocrine disruptor just like Parabens and can alter thyroid functions too.

Some lip balm and makeup with SPF contain oxybenzone which causes skin allergies to some people, so, avoid it in all cost.

9. PEG

Polyethelene glycols or PEG is another harmful chemical to avoid. It is highly used in different cosmetics as thickeners. In some skin care products, it is used as absorption enhancer, which helps to allow the absorption of both good and bad ingredients easily into the skin.

When in contact with blood via damaged or broken skin, PEG cause irritation and toxicity in the body, it leaves skin dry and patchy, and pushes you towards faster ageing.

10. Alcohols

Last on the list of harmful chemicals to avoid is alcohol. There are both good and bad alcohol, we should avoid the bad alcohol from contacting it with our skin. Some bad alcohols like methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol etc.

Alcohols leaves your skin very dry and irritated, over use of it causes stripping off your skin’s outer part and often causes inflammation. By destroying the outer layer of your skin, it leaves you prone to infection. Acne and other bacterial infestations may found due to break down of the outer layer of the skin.

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ConScience

Till now FDA has not bans all the harmful chemicals, i.e. there is no such regulations of harmful chemicals in personal care products.

So, it is better to rely upon self-regulation. At any cost you have to avoid those harmful chemicals, in case you are using any product containing these chemicals, just change the brand to be safe from that.

Although some of the chemicals have antibacterial or any other useful properties but, they till irritate your skin a bit. Before buying any product from the market, just check the labels behind it. Know your skin and choose one that is perfect for you. Have a happy life.