When it comes to cosmetic products, few think about how deep the effect of the numerous ingredients listed on the labels of all your favorite jars and tubes can be. The cosmetics industry uses thousands of synthetic substances to create popular beauty and hygiene products - from lipstick and all kinds of lotions to shampoo and shaving cream.
Many of these chemicals are no less actively used in industrial processes for washing equipment and machines, controlling pesticides and lubricating engines. Most consumers of cosmetics will agree: a substance that can easily tear off the floor of the garage is not suitable for cleansing the skin of the face.
In many developed countries (including the United States), there are huge gaps in federal legislation that allow the cosmetics industry to include almost any ingredients in makeup and hygiene products, even those that are traditionally associated with dangers such as cancer, infertility, or fetal malformations. Along with the introduction of hundreds of untested chemicals in cosmetics and perfumes, the statistics for breast cancer have risen sharply.
Perhaps it is time to check the makeup on your shelves and find out if using your favorite products is fraught with real health risks. Potentially harmful chemicals can be divided into the following groups.
Phthalates
Phthalates, or phthalic acid esters, are a group of substances that are potentially capable of disrupting the normal functioning of the endocrine system. Traditionally, these chemicals are part of such products as nail polishes and synthetic perfumes (here, perfume is understood not only as toilet water, but also any perfume compositions in various cosmetic products). Such chemistry in cosmetics leads to early puberty of girls and is a risk factor: there is evidence of a relationship between the effects on the body of phthalates and the development of breast cancer in adulthood. Some phthalic acid esters acquire the properties of weak estrogens in cell culture systems.
Triclosan
Triclosan is used in the manufacture of antibacterial soaps, deodorants and toothpaste. Its purpose is to limit the growth of bacteria and mold in the final product. This chemical is classified as a pesticide and can disrupt the basic functions of the endocrine system. Most often, its negative effect on thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism (metabolism) is noted. Such chemistry in cosmetics can adversely affect consumer health in another respect: the frequent use of triclosan enhances the resistance of bacteria to antimicrobials.
1,4-dioxane
1,4-dioxane is never indicated on the labels of cosmetic products. This is a contaminant (pollutant) released by gasoline in the production of shampoos, shower gels, bath products for children and other products with the ability to foam. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has included 1,4-dioxane in its list of potential carcinogens.
Parabens
Chemistry in cosmetics is often used to prevent the spread of fungus and microbes in the finished compositions of creams, lotions, ointments and ball deodorants. For this purpose, parabens are used, which are, inter alia, preservatives. Parabens are completely absorbed by the skin and are found in samples of biomaterials taken by biopsy from breast tumors. Some researchers, however, argue that the relationship between these chemicals and the development of cancer is not proven.
Although the skin does absorb parabens, they are almost completely eliminated from the body through the kidneys. This means not only that the body uses its own resources to get rid of toxins, but also that chemicals go a long way through the urogenital organs, and thereby have a negative effect on the whole body. The effect of parabens is associated with the occurrence of food allergic reactions, increased levels of stress hormones in pregnant women and newborns (in which, by the way, parabens are found in the first portion of urine) and sperm damage at the DNA level.
Moreover: not all chemicals in this class are excreted through urine. A certain amount remains in the blood plasma and can withstand a temperature high enough for parabens (37 degrees) for 30 days. These substances are also characterized by estrogenic activity and thereby provoke the development of cellular abnormalities.
Almost any cosmetics (see photo above) contains parabens - just read the inscriptions on the packages.
Ethylene Oxide (Ethylene Oxide)
Ethylene oxide is commonly used to sterilize surgical instruments. It can also act as a contaminant of personal care products, such as shampoos and shower gels, since this substance is used to soften some foaming formulations and is not completely removed from cosmetics. Ethylene oxide is classified as a known carcinogen that causes cancer in humans. In addition, it is included in the list of chemicals leading to the development of breast cancer in animals.
1,3-butadiene
Popular cosmetics firms are actively using 1,3-butadiene in the production of shaving creams, sunscreens and foundation creams. In addition, this contaminant can be found in the composition of therapeutic antifungal drugs. This substance is especially dangerous if ingested through respiration. The carcinogen 1,3-butadiene causes breast cancer in rodents.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of substances found in the natural environment in coal, crude oil and other combustible materials. Everyone knows such a PAH as naphthalene. Decorative cosmetics (photo in the article) and shampoos are often made using coal tar - such products may contain PAHs. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are potential carcinogens.
Placenta extract
This extract is made from the placenta of humans or animals and is part of hair conditioners, shampoos and a variety of styling products. Most of these products (by the way, far from the best cosmetics) are supplied to developing countries. Studies have revealed the presence of progesterone in the placenta extract, a steroid hormone and contaminant recognized as a potential carcinogen.
Lead
Lead is a contaminant in more than 650 different makeup and personal care products. It is found in sunscreens and lotions, makeup base, nail polishes, lipsticks, whitening toothpaste. Lead is proven to be a neurotoxin that can cause cognitive impairment , speech and behavior. There are studies according to which the effects of lead are recognized as one of the causes of miscarriages, decreased ability to conceive (in both women and men) and the late onset of puberty in girls.
Sunscreen
Even the best sunscreen cosmetics contain chemicals that show significant estrogenic activity. In vitro studies have confirmed that with regular use of sunscreens, cancer cells have a longer lifespan. Chemicals that provide UV protection actually pose a danger equally to humans and animals.
Fragrances (fragrances)
Flavors (they are also fragrances) are synthetic components of most cosmetics. Their main purpose is to give the compositions a pleasant smell. However, the composition of directly perfumes is not available to the mass consumer: recipes for aromas have the status of a trade secret. This means that cosmetics companies are absolutely not obliged to disclose the secret of aromatic ingredients in their products: you can simply add the terms “perfumery composition”, “fragrance”, “flavoring substance”, etc. to the list of components, and controlling organizations consider the composition of the product to be sufficient . Unfortunately, most fragrances contain phthalates (see above) and synthetic musk, which poses a potential danger to the defense mechanisms of the immune system.
Synthetic musk in the composition of flavors violates the ability of cells to cleanse themselves of toxins on their own and leads to their poisoning by those toxins, which are removed from the body in a timely manner under normal conditions. Residual amounts of musk are found in drinking water, in blood and breast milk. In addition, most of the secret ingredients in perfumes are strong allergens.
Why are chemicals so dangerous?
Most consumers realize how dangerous chemistry is in cosmetics. Interesting facts: connoisseurs of all kinds of makeup and personal care products simply prefer not to pay attention to the giant lists of ingredients in their favorite creams and lotions, or they deliberately minimize their own risk, believing that time-tested manufacturers will not add truly harmful substances to their products. Such consumers forget about the three main negative properties of chemicals:
- The role of chemistry in cosmetics can be positive (for example, increase the shelf life of a product), however, synthetic substances almost never bring benefits to the body. In addition, they inevitably accumulate in the blood and internal organs. Let some toxins come out with urine or sweat, some of the harmful substances remain inside.
- Organic chemistry in cosmetics does not mean the safety of the final product. Add to this fact the regular use of makeup and personal care products. Many people use soap, toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, body lotion and face cream every day. Sometimes this is not a complete list of constantly used cosmetics.
- Chemicals have properties that find outward manifestation. So, some substances contribute to increasing the resistance of bacteria to antimicrobials, others accumulate in the environment as a result of human use, and others lead to fetal development defects in pregnant women.
A good solution to the problem is natural cosmetics. Reviews of homemade creams, consisting solely of naturally occurring oils and other healthy ingredients, overshadow any advantages of industrial cosmetics. They really contribute to the effective cleansing, moisturizing and nourishing of the skin, improve its tone and overall tone, smooth and hide imperfections, and prevent the appearance of acne. The only thing left is to choose what does not harm the body.