Nusrat Jahan
“Cosmetic companies may use almost any ingredient they choose”- Food and Drug Corporation of America.
Girls, in general, tend to be more beauty conscious than men. They love going on cosmetics hauls every now and then, so that they can adorn their face and body with various beauty products like foundations, creams, lipsticks, nail polish, and what not. However, according to recent research, it turns out that almost none of these products are safe to use. So, before your next splurging-on-makeup session, it is best that you know what exactly you are putting on your face. Below is a list of some toxic chemicals found in everyday makeup, to give you the reality check of how you have been paying for your products with your health all these years.
Parabens: A type of chemical that has oestrogen-replicating properties which can increase the chances of breast cancer. Parabens are found in many lotions and ointments.
Phthalates: The chemical makes it easier for skin care products to get absorbed into the skin. Sounds good, right? Well, actually not! The Department of Health and Human Services has classified it as a potential carcinogen. Phthalates can be found in a wide range of products starting from hair sprays, perfumes, and soaps, to aftershave lotions, etc. Brands like L’Oreal continue to sell products containing Phthalates despite its toxic nature.
Formaldehyde: A chemical known to cause cancer in humans can be found in nailpolish, hair gel, shampoos, and lotions.
Triclosan: It can mess up your body’s hormone system, and it can be found in soaps, deodorants, and toothpaste.
Fragrance: This is a colloquialism used by companies to hide the fact that they use many cheap chemicals to duplicate natural aromas. It can cause skin irritation, dermatitis, respiratory problems, and even have an adverse effect on your reproductive system!
Lead: This chemical is one we all have heard of. It can cause lead poisoning, and it is also connected to learning and behavioral problems. It can be found in almost all lipsticks, foundations, and more than 600 other cosmetics.
And the list can go on and on…
Scared yet? You better be! Head on to your laptop now to Google out even more harmful chemicals, for your own benefit. It is high time we all become aware of these chemicals, and read the ingredients label of a products before buying .