No doubt, cosmetics make you look gorgeous, but just like all things too good to be true, the positive benefits of using such beauty products can take a serious toll on your health and skin. According to various studies, an average woman uses 12 personal beauty products each day that contains minimum 168 different chemicals. A recent research has showed that our skin is able to absorb up to 60% of the chemicals present in these beauty products when comes in contact. Another study which was conducted by the Northwestern University School of Medicine in Evanston, Illinois, has also revealed that the complaints which were made against the care products have increased more than double from 2015 to 2016 and in this list the hair care products are on the top. The university has claimed that more than 5,000 events were reported to the FDA from 2004 to 2016, with 1,591 incidents reported in 2016 one. In this article we will go through different chemicals hiding in our beauty products which can be fatal to our health and skin.

Chemicals in Skin Products

A senior consultant from National Institute of Health states that care products might not be able to impart the projected results. On the contrary, substandard quality, grade, harmful compositions can cause severe allergies, discoloration, texture alteration or permanent damage to the skin or hair. Expanded usage and unfettered production of these care commodities has led to sharp rise in the side effects which are endured by the customers. Doctors nowadays have reported variety of cases related to these beauty products, especially occurring in the younger to middle aged patients.The most common chemical found in care products is paraben which is widely used as a preservative in deodorants, moisturizers, shampoos, body wash and makeup. This chemical increases the chances of breast cancer as its chemical structure is quite similar to estrogen and it can be carcinogenic even in small amounts. Men who use beauty products containing parabens are reported to have lower sperm counts and less testosterone. This may result in endocrine disruption.

Other famous chemicals like, formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers which are present in nail products, hair dye, hair straighteners, false eyelash adhesives, cosmetic glues, and some shampoos, are also linked to cause cancer. These harmful chemicals can also damage our immune system.There is one more chemical called ethanolamine which contains impurities like nitrosamines. This chemical is usually not listed on product labels. This chemical is a respiratory, skin and organ cancer-causing toxicants. Unfortunately, it is commonly found in soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners and dyes, shaving creams, eyeliners, mascara, fragrances and even sunscreens.

Many dermatologists have pointed out a chemical known as phthalates which is abundantly found in hair sprays and lotions. Doctors claim that it may cause reproductive birth defects in both males and females. It can even damage human liver, kidney and lungs and cause cancer.Triclosan is a very common chemical found in most antibacterial soaps and deodorant. Many complaints have been reported against this chemical as it causes skin irritation and infection. In a study, it was found that it can act as endocrine disruptor and disturb thyroid, testosterone, and estrogen regulation, leading to issues like early puberty, poor sperm quality, infertility, obesity, and cancer. If kids and teenagers are exposed to this chemical at an early age, there is an increased chance that they will develop severe allergies, asthma, and eczema.

Chemicals in Skin Lightning Products

Hydroquinone a chemical usually found in skin-lightening products, certain cleansers, and moisturizers, is another fatal drug that can cause ochronosis and thus leave disfiguring and irreversible blue-black lesions on exposed skin. Various fairness and whitening creams also contain steroids which can cause skin damage, thinning, redness, color alteration and acne, apart from hydroquinone or mercury, which are now associated with cancer causing drugs.Coal tar, ethoxylated surfactants and 1,4-dioxane which is a by-product that is obtained from adding carcinogenic ethylene oxide to make other chemicals relatively less harsh is commonly and abundantly used in baby washes. Lead is used in lipstick and hair dye but is not listed because it is a contaminant and not an ingredient. Mercury found in these care products can impair human brain development. These are some of the other harmful ingredients used in manufacturing cosmetics and beauty goods.

Even basic goods such as hand sanitizers and hair straighteners can cause more damage to your hair and skin than expected. Hand sanitizers are extremely effective in killing germs, but its excessive use can also kill the good bacteria thus exposing your skin to the allergic elements.Today, most of the baby wipes which are present in the market contain a chemical called methylisothiazolinone. This chemical is responsible for skin allergies, rashes, and irritation.Most deodorants have aluminum chloride hexahydrate and parabens which are the leading cause of cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease. Toothpaste is a major source of fluoride and if the quantity of intake is high, it can become the main cause of disfiguring dental fluorosis.

When it comes to using beauty products, less is better! You are more likely to damage and harm your skin by using all these care products. You should opt for a routine body check-up and use good alternatives to care products such as an organic face wash instead of a synthetic chemical one, pomegranate seeds instead of lip gloss, aloe vera gels as great moisturizing agent and coconut oil instead of harmful body lotions and moisturizers. Use avocado as it is an ultra-moisturizing fatty fruit and contains vitamins A, D and E which can penetrate the human skin. It helps in soothing sunburns, can boost collagen production, and even treat age spots. Use coconut oil on both your skin and hair for cleansing, moisturizing, removing makeup, healing wounds or scars quicker, and prevent razor burns. Select for beauty products with fatty alcohols such as cetyl, cetearyl, lanolin or stearyl alcohol which works as good moisturizers.

How to Save Skin

To save yourself from future problems you should start choosing products that are labelled non-comedogenic as that ensures the product does not cause skin irritation. And try your best not to use these beauty products abundantly. Be natural and use natural products. In this way, you will be doing a favor to your body and it will repay you with a healthy luscious glow on your face and hair.