Hidden Horrors in Cosmetics

Cosmetics are probably the top ranked products that most women buy. Using it promises one to get the glamorous look that models have, achieve the skin, or hair of their favorite celebrity, and attract other people’s attention.

A few of the many benefits that these products give aside from physical attractiveness is that it helps shape one’s personality, boost sex appeal, and increase self-confidence. But although it can bring wonders, it has many hidden horrors that we are not well aware of.

Cosmetics are the products that we apply to our body like soaps, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, deodorant and even toothpaste. Most of the labels found on these products are misleading. There are ingredients that are potentially harmful to our health and can cause cancer (carcinogenic), damage to the nervous system (neurotoxic) and even birth defects (tetratogenic).

Products like lipstick, eyeliner, hair color and tooth paste are found to have heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, aluminum and arsenic) in them but in low levels. Long term exposure can be toxic whether in high or low levels and is associated with many chronic diseases.

Heavy metal poisoning can cause the following:

1.    Chronic fatigue

2.    Autoimmune diseases

3.    Neuropathy

4.    Vascular occlusion

5.    Triglycerides

6.    Cholesterol

7.    High blood pressure

8.    Speech disorders

9.    Fatigue

10. Sleep disabilities

11. Aggressive behavior

12. Poor concentration

13. Irritability

14. Mood swings

15. Depression

16. Increased allergic reaction

17. Memory loss

It’s always best to check the labels of the products you use. You’ll be surprised to know that most toiletries like mouthwash, toothpaste, shampoo, antiperspirant, shaving cream and even feminine wash contains poisonous ingredients.

The following are chemicals to avoid in cosmetic products:

1.    Acetone

2.    Alcohol

3.    Aluminum

4.    Artificial flavors

5.    Bentonite

6.    Coal tar dyes

7.    DEA

8.    Dioxins

9.    Fluoride

10. Fluorocarbons

11. Formaldehyde

12. Fragrances

13. Kaolin

14. Lye

15. MEA

16. Mineral oil

17. Padimate-O

18. PEG

19. Petroleum

20. Phthalates

21. Propylene Glycol

22. SLES

23. SLS

24. Sodium Chloride

25. Talc

26. Toluene

27. Triethanolamine

28. Triclosan

These are just a few of the worst offenders of toxic chemicals used in personal and skin care products. These potentially harmful ingredients when used would penetrate the skin. Not everything you put on your body will be absorbed by the skin; some molecules are too large to get in, but some are too tiny and can stay in the body for many days. It would enter the bloodstream, and build up in the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs and tissues. These are the horrible hidden secrets in cosmetics.

Products made from natural sources are better to use than commercial ones especially if we want to protect ourselves, and our home from potentially harmful chemicals. Cosmetic ingredients are not regulated by the government; the industry is self-regulating.  We receive little to almost no guidance at all from manufacturers, and advertisers regarding the bad effects of these products. We should use products with safe ingredients only.  Let’s owe it to ourselves to know what we are putting on our body, and those of our loved ones. Prevention is always better than cure.