Recently, there have been an abundance of product recalls and worries about contamination of consumer products. When it comes to the safety of the products you put on your skin, especially near your eyes and mouth, it pays to be extra careful. Did you know that some cosmetic companies still use dangerous ingredients, like lead and paraben, in their products? It’s true. A quick look at the FDA website will show you that not all cosmetics are undergoing the type of testing you might be assuming takes place. So it pays to know how to choose safe cosmetic and skin care products for yourself.
Common Chemical Dangers Choosing Safe Cosmetics And Skin Care Products
You might think that choosing a well-known and respected brand would ensure safety. Chances are you would be wrong. Consider these brand name products.
• 1,4 dioxane, a human carcinogen (a substance that can cause cancer), can be found in baby soaps, skin care products, and baby shampoos produced by Johnson and Johnson and Sesame Street Products
• Lead can be found in many popular lipstick brands, and is not disclosed on the ingredient label. Popular brands like Cover girl and L’Oreal have been found to have lead in them. Not all lipsticks contain lead, however: Wet and Wild is one brand that does not use lead in its lipstick line.
• Phenolic compounds tighten the look of skin to help give you a younger appearance and counteract the effects of aging. Unfortunately, phenolic compounds are dangerous to the human respiratory system, and can dangerous complications like respiratory arrest, coma, and even paralysis.
• Products with paraben can cause endocrine problems; paraben is also thought to be carcinogenic. Popular brands in which paraben has been found include: Almay Lasting Make Up, Almay Naturalist Eye-Defining Pencil, Clean and Clear Self-Foaming Face Wash, The Body Shop Tea Tree Shampoo, The Body Shop Jojoba Moisture Rich Cleanser, and John Frieda Instant Conditioner.
Safer Choices
As we learn more and more about the dangers of chemicals in the products we use, many skincare and cosmetic companies have taken the pledge not to use dangerous chemicals in their beauty products. Many are turning to natural, herbal alternatives to do the job. Some of these natural ingredients finding their way into our skin and beauty products are natural palm oil, olive oil, witch hazel, aloe vera, shea butter, yucca root, balsam (a fragrant plant resin), lactalbumin (milk protein) and myrrh. Natural ingredients can be irritating to certain individuals, particularly those with sensitive skin), so even if a product proclaims it contains natural ingredients, it pays to read through the ingredient list for yourself.
Here is a partial list of ingredients that some experts recommend you may want to consider avoiding:
• PEG, or polyethylene glycol
• Myreth, laureth, cateareth, oleth, and other ingredients ending in the -eth suffix
• Sodium benzoate, or benzoic acid
• Para-hydroxybenzoic acids (methyl, butyl, propyl, etc.)
• Oxynol, Polyoxyethylene, and Polyethylene
• BHA, BHT
Remember that when it comes to the safety of products you choose, you are the last line of defense. Spend a little time learning what is good for your skin and you can them choose your skincare and cosmetic products with confidence.
Common Chemical Dangers Choosing Safe Cosmetics And Skin Care Products
You might think that choosing a well-known and respected brand would ensure safety. Chances are you would be wrong. Consider these brand name products.
• 1,4 dioxane, a human carcinogen (a substance that can cause cancer), can be found in baby soaps, skin care products, and baby shampoos produced by Johnson and Johnson and Sesame Street Products
• Lead can be found in many popular lipstick brands, and is not disclosed on the ingredient label. Popular brands like Cover girl and L’Oreal have been found to have lead in them. Not all lipsticks contain lead, however: Wet and Wild is one brand that does not use lead in its lipstick line.
• Phenolic compounds tighten the look of skin to help give you a younger appearance and counteract the effects of aging. Unfortunately, phenolic compounds are dangerous to the human respiratory system, and can dangerous complications like respiratory arrest, coma, and even paralysis.
• Products with paraben can cause endocrine problems; paraben is also thought to be carcinogenic. Popular brands in which paraben has been found include: Almay Lasting Make Up, Almay Naturalist Eye-Defining Pencil, Clean and Clear Self-Foaming Face Wash, The Body Shop Tea Tree Shampoo, The Body Shop Jojoba Moisture Rich Cleanser, and John Frieda Instant Conditioner.
Safer Choices
As we learn more and more about the dangers of chemicals in the products we use, many skincare and cosmetic companies have taken the pledge not to use dangerous chemicals in their beauty products. Many are turning to natural, herbal alternatives to do the job. Some of these natural ingredients finding their way into our skin and beauty products are natural palm oil, olive oil, witch hazel, aloe vera, shea butter, yucca root, balsam (a fragrant plant resin), lactalbumin (milk protein) and myrrh. Natural ingredients can be irritating to certain individuals, particularly those with sensitive skin), so even if a product proclaims it contains natural ingredients, it pays to read through the ingredient list for yourself.
Here is a partial list of ingredients that some experts recommend you may want to consider avoiding:
• PEG, or polyethylene glycol
• Myreth, laureth, cateareth, oleth, and other ingredients ending in the -eth suffix
• Sodium benzoate, or benzoic acid
• Para-hydroxybenzoic acids (methyl, butyl, propyl, etc.)
• Oxynol, Polyoxyethylene, and Polyethylene
• BHA, BHT
Remember that when it comes to the safety of products you choose, you are the last line of defense. Spend a little time learning what is good for your skin and you can them choose your skincare and cosmetic products with confidence.
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