Some of us girls don't bother checking the ingredients of our makeup but what I learned is that we should always check them. Why? Because some of the ingredients present in our cosmetic products are actually dangerous. Some may also cause us breakouts especially for some who have sensitive skin.
I am not an expert on these things and what I am about to tell you are basically what my research says and I promise to put all my research sources when I have the time. Second, I am admit that despite knowing these chemicals or ingredients are present in my makeups, I still use them. I just don't want to be labelled as hypocrite or what.
So yeah. Here we go!
 |
| Makeups, are they all safe? Photo Credit: Beauty in My Mind |
1. Parabens. Parabens are present in most of our makeups (also in deodorant, food processing etc.). They are found in biopsies of breast cancer tumor at the amount present in cosmetic products. The things is, doctors suggested that women who are into makeup avoid parabens and use cosmetics free of it.
- Use: Parabens prevent inhibition of bacteria and growth of yeast in our makeup to extend shelf life.
- Effects: Skin disruption, rashes, breast cancer. Parabens disrupt hormone functions so skin irritation and reproductive malfunctions.
2. Mineral Oil. Mostly present in moisturizers, lip gloss and body baths. Mineral oils are by product of petroleum (at least this was what my professor in Chemistry told me). Petroleum, when distilled or components are separated, is used to make plastic, kerosene, gasoline etc. Basically, if petroleum is refined to mineral oil and not properly distilled, you are most likely applying plastic on your face not to mention excessive amount causes skin irritation and possible breakouts.
- Use: Coats skin to keep water from leaving the body through skin.
- Effects: Too much mineral oil can cause nausea and skin cancer.
3. Imidazolidinyl Urea. Like parabens, this is used to prevent microbial growth in makeup. The thing is, it works by forming formaldehyde compounds. Formaldehyde is carcinonogenic to animals and humans when exposed at a certain level of amount.
- Use: Preservatives to makeup
- Effects: Has short term and long term effects. For short term, eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing, skin rash etc. For long term, cancer, myeoid leukemia, asthma attacks.
4. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA). This is mostly found in food presevatives, cosmetics (eyeliner, lipstick, nail polish, blush, mascara), animal feed and rubber products.
- Use: Preservatives, antioxidants, stabilizer
- Effects: Anticipated to be a human carcinogenic based on experiments in animals. These disrupts epithelial cells (cells that form tissues to cover the cavities) like squamous cells which causes squamous cell carcinoma and papilloma. (read more about it here and here)
- Use: For pleasant smelling makeup
- Effects: Chemicals used for fragrance like Phthalates affects hormones like premature breast development in young girls. It is also linked to sperm damage in men and affect androgen and progesterone receptors.
So that's what some of my research says and I will add some more of the ingredients to avoid next time. But for now, these five are the on the top list to avoid. Just remember that to be beautiful, we need to be healthy, too!
Sources:
- David Suzuki Foundation
- Encyclopedia Britannica
- Environmental Working Group
- Natracare
- Cancer Gov
- Princeton
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
