Did you know that manufacturers can put practically any chemical they want into their skin care products, even if they are known to be hazardous? There are so many dangerous ingredients in cosmetics that can legally be put into products – these are the key skin care chemicals to avoid!
Many consumers are under the false impression that they are being protected from dangerous ingredients in cosmetics by laws and regulations. Unfortunately this is not the case, especially in the USA where personal care ingredients don’t even need FDA approval, any health studies or pre-market testing.
That means personal care products can contain chemicals that are known carcinogens and that are linked to developmental/reproductive toxicity, nervous system disorders, allergies and liver failure, just to mention a few.
The sad-but-true fact is you need to protect yourself from these dangerous ingredients in cosmetics.
Read the label and decide whether that new skin cream is worth the health risk. The following list shows the 5 most dangerous ingredients in cosmetics – these are the skin care chemicals you need to avoid by any means.
1. Petrochemicals like mineral oil
Petroleum-based ingredients such as petrolatum, mineral oil, and paraffin in fact coat the skin like a thin film of plastic. Because of this your skin is not able to breathe: that can lead to clogged pores and even premature aging. It also disrupts the skin’s main purpose – to purge our bodies from toxins. A better choice in personal care are plant-based oils and glycerins.
2. Fragrances
The term ‘fragrance’ is in an ingredients list a real minefield. It can refer to thousands of different ingredients, both natural and synthetic, and many of them toxic. Especially synthetic fragrances are dangerous. Many popular fragrances in skin care can affect the central nervous system and cause depression, hyperactivity, and irritability.
Another dangerous ingredient used in skin care is toluene, a substance found in most synthetic fragrances. Toluene has been linked to anemia, lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney damage, and fetus development. Avoid products that list fragrance as an ingredient unless the label states that it’s derived from essentials oils.
3. Parabens
Parabens are used across all kinds of personal care products. They work as a preservative and extend a products shelf life. They are commonly used even though they are known to be toxic and to cause allergic reactions as well as skin rashes. Researchers are also currently finding out if they are carcinogenic – at the moment there is evidence pointing in both directions. To be safe, choose products without parabens.
4. Rancid natural oils
Even natural ingredients have their pitfalls. All natural oils used in personal care products should be cold pressed. If they are refined instead of cold pressed, their nutrient count radically decreases and the oils can even develop poisonous trans-fatty acids. Even polyunsaturated oils can also go rancid if they are used past their use-by date. Always choose skin creams and lotions with cold pressed oils and use these products in the given timeframe.
5. Dioxane
Dioxane is a dangerous ingredient in skin care, which is widely used in all types of personal care products. It often contains high concentrations of 1,4-dioxane, which is considered carcinogenic. 1,4-Dioxane is also suspected of being a kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant. It is also known to contaminate groundwater! Do you really want that on your skin? I thought so – me neither.
If you want to learn about other skin care chemicals to avoid and find out what skin care brands are free of all these dangerous ingredients in cosmetics, please visit my website and study the information there – you owe it to your health!
Lumi H. Jais believes in taking good care of herself by healthy habits like a balanced diet, quality supplements and using the best natural skin care products, as she is passionate about maintaining her youthful appearance and beautiful skin.
