Cosmetics Products is a huge category of beauty and health products which are either used to enhance or change the appearance of a person or applied to the skin to protect it from the elements (UV light and pollution) or to provide a radiant look and feel. Cosmetics and health products often come into contact together because many cosmetic items like lotions, makeup, eye shadows, moisturizers, soaps, bathing powders, and lipsticks are also designed to be absorbed into the skin. In fact, any type of product that is designed to be absorbed into the skin will do so when applied properly. Cosmetics products come in various forms including creams, gels, mists, oils, and lotions. Cosmetics can even include prescription medicines, over the counter medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies.
One thing that you should know about cosmetics, particularly regarding health issues, is that the majority of chemical additives and preservatives in cosmetics come from the petro-chemical industry. Chemicals in cosmetics that have been commonly found to be unhealthy or dangerous include phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), atrazine, lindane, benzene, and triclosan. Phthalates and BPA were discovered in studies conducted on common consumer products but were successfully kept out of the public eye with lawsuits, public uproar, and political pressure. Atrazine has been banned in several European countries due to links to infertility and breast cancer.
The main ingredient found in majority of synthetic cosmetic products that are linked to health concerns is BPA. The substance is used as an alternative to plastic, glass, and metal containers because of its low cost and long shelf life. However, it can still disrupt hormone levels and alter a person’s sexual function, causing erectile and ejaculatory problems. BPA is one of the most common ingredients in non-natural and organic personal care products. Cosmetics companies continue to use phthalates despite the known health risks associated with the chemicals.
The other common synthetic chemical found in the majority of the personal care products is atrazine. It was originally used in pesticides for killing bacteria and is used as an insecticide, a growth enhancer, and antibiotic. It is considered carcinogenic by the World Health Organization and known to cause reproductive problems, birth defects, and cancer. The EPA believes atrazine may also be linked to tumors, nervous system disorders, and thyroid problems. BPA has been banned in many countries, but the personal care products containing the substance remain unregulated.
Many of the ingredients in natural cosmetics are approved by FDA to be safe for use. However, there are many personal care products in the market that contain ingredients like parabens, fragrances, alcohols, and dioxanes. They are not considered healthy for consumption by humans and they are often found in facial tissues, lipsticks, lotions, and soaps. The reason for this is that they are cheap to produce, but effective. Dioxane is a known carcinogen, but the carcinogen levels found in personal care products are not high enough to elicit any concern.
The best option for avoiding dangerous chemicals in personal care products is to make sure you read the labels carefully. Always read the label before purchasing a cosmetics product. Cosmetics products vary widely in terms of quality and ingredients. So, if you want beautiful skin, don’t settle for second best.
