Potentially harmful Ingredients : The ugly face of chemical laden beauty products

As a society obsessed with outward appearance it is not surprising how prevalent beauty products are in all our lives. From soap, deodorant, shampoo, face wash, makeup, makeup remover, hair dye and perfume our bathroom cupboards are overflowing with products promising a cleaner, brighter more beautiful you. However many of these products are laden with man-made chemicals that have proven negative environmental impacts and potentially harmful health effects.

“Currently only 14% of the chemicals used in the largest volumes have the minimum amount of data publicly available to make an initial basic safety assessment.” WWF

There is growing concern as to the health effects of many of the chemicals found in common personal care products. Some studies have associated these very chemicals with skin problems, hormonal conditions, immune dysfunction and cancer. This is concerning, especially when you consider any product applied to the skin is absorbed into the body allowing chemicals to enter the blood stream and our organs.

Although the manufactures will attain to the safety of these products there is very little information available, specifically on the product labels, as to the potential health concerns being uncovered by independent research.

In addition to the health concerns there is ever increasing evidence of the widespread environmental contamination and pollution caused by the manufacturing and disposal of these chemicals and chemical laden products. Man-made chemicals are being uncovered in animals and places throughout the world as far off as the Arctic.

“There is hardly an animal on earth that has not been exposed to a cocktail of toxic man-made chemicals. They are the undeserving recipients of our poisons.” WWF

It is believed the average woman applies 175 different chemicals on a daily basis, through use of make-up and other personal care products, this is a frightening amount of potentially harmful chemicals entering our bodies.

We as a society have come to rely on a cocktail of cosmetics and products promising perfection and enhancement, but at what cost?

Some of us don’t blink an eye at all the beauty products we layer on each and every day. We trust that the manufactures have provided us with safe products and never consider the possible harmful health and environmental impact of our choices. But, consider the research that is beginning to raise questions as to their safety and we may decide it is safer to look for alternatives to conventional beauty products.

There are products readily available that limit or avoid the use of many of the most concerning chemical ingredients. To avoid or reduce your contact with potentially harmful chemicals make sure to always read the ingredients list, learn more about the types of ingredients used in everyday consumer products and consider alternatives available from many Natural Health Shops and a variety of places online.

Be aware of greenwashing and that many products claiming to be natural or organic can still contain potentially harmful ingredients. Always read labels carefully and do a little research to insure you are purchasing a product that meets your standard. To find out more on choosing real natural alternatives check out the post on Marketing Nature.

In the modern world we are exposed to man-made toxins every day through contact with plastics, consumer products, food, polluted water and air. If we can reduce our dependence on chemical laden beauty products we not only reduce our contact with these ingredients and their potential to enter our bodies; but we reduce the need for chemical manufacturing and waste that as a direct result is ending up as toxic pollution in our environment.

Consider avoiding products that contain the following ingredients or any that contain artificial fragrances and synthetic colours.

Phthatale Family: Also known as di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ehtylexyl) phthatale (DEHP).
Lauryl Sulfate:Also known as SLS and Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).
Amine Family: This chemical family includes Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA) and monoethanolamine (MEA).
Formaldehyde: Also known as Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Nitroopropane-1, Formalin, Methanal, Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide, Morbicic acid, Oxymethlylene.
Paraben Preservatives: Also known as alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates (methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl.
This list was sourced from: Chemicals to Avoid in Makeup

If you would like further information on the Petrochemical and Oleochemical ingredients commonly found in personal care products have a read of the previously published article on synthetic ingredients.

While many of the big companies continuing to be unclear about the potential dangers there is a rising call for adequate laws and labelling in regard to chemical ingredients. It is time for us to play a part in reducing society’s dependence on toxic chemicals; lets make a positive choice today.

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"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." ~Hellen Keller