Ingredients you Should Avoid in Personal Care Products
Only 10% of the almost 13,000 chemicals used in cosmetic products have been tested for safety. So you must be cautious and aware of the ingredients you should avoid in personal care products.
For different purposes, cosmetic products have become used by all of us, so the range of products has increased considerably.
This translates into the need to be critical of the products we consume and their characteristics, as they are often made from chemical substances or agents whose characteristics can affect our health.
There are many chemicals used in the development of cosmetic products that even require protective equipment in their handling due to their toxicity.
Phthalates
They are usually used as plasticizers and solvents and can be found in fragrances, hair products, skin lotions, nail polishes, and hardeners, and in general, anything that requires artificial fragrances.
Its effects at the endocrine level can be severe and alarming. They can generate endometriosis, or precocious puberty in girls, abnormalities in the reproductive organs, and reduced fertility in men.
Triclosan
It is a preservative and antibacterial agent found in personal care products, such as antiperspirants, soaps, hand gels, and toothpaste, with endocrine-disrupting effects. Also, there is a belief that frequent and prolonged use may contribute to the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics.
Formaldehyde
It is a preservative that can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and respiratory tract, causing cancer in people with high levels of exposure to the product. Small amounts are allowed for use in cosmetics and is found mainly in tonics used for ironing hair and in nail polishes and hardeners.
Diethanolamine
These are chemicals used to make the products more creamy or foamy. It is an irritating compound to the skin and eyes, and can also react with nitrites and become carcinogenic. It is often abbreviated DEA on labels.
Parabens
They are preservatives used in several cosmetic and personal care products, among which methylparaben is the most frequent. In laboratory tests and tissue cultures, it has been found that they can cause endocrine disruption.
Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide
They are found in some makeup and sunscreen products. They may contain nanometer range particles, which have been linked to cell damage even at the DNA level in laboratory studies.
While there is no convincing evidence that they will be absorbed by the body when applied to the skin, some products release powdered minerals that can be inhaled, causing problems in the lungs.
Resorcinol
It is usually used as an antiseptic and disinfectant and is found in topical treatments for acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and corns warts, and hair dyes. It can irritate the skin and has been linked to thyroid dysfunction when used in large quantities over long periods.
Toluene
It is present in some nail polishes and can produce short-term neurological effects, such as dizziness, euphoria, hallucinations, and headaches. It is practically the same element that many people with addiction problems inhale gasoline and glue in an addictive way.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate
These are surfactants found in over 90% of personal care and cleaning products, and their purpose is to make the product foam. They are known to irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs, and may also interact with other chemicals to form nitrosamines, a known carcinogen.
Propylene Glycol
This reduced organic alcohol can be used as a skin-conditioning agent and is found in moisturizers, sunscreens, conditioners, shampoos, and hair sprays.
Also, it has been added in medications to help the body absorb chemicals more quickly and in electronic cigarettes. It is irritating to the skin, toxic to the liver and kidneys, and may produce neurological symptoms.
