Chemicals in Cosmetics and Their Impact

According to dermatologists, human skin has the capacity to absorb almost 60 percent of a topical product applied. Further statistics reveal that a woman feeds the skin with more than 500 chemicals a day via topical applications! The beauty industry simply never steps back to fulfill their assurance of eternal youth but it is hiding several frightening facts behind these catchy promises.

These days, over 10,000 chemical substances are being used in the production of skin as well as hair care products. The risk is that several of these chemicals have been resourcefully associated to a myriad of harmful physical reactions and ailments. For getting rid of these effects, it is extremely essential to know about these harmful chemicals so that the next time you buy a beauty product; you remain alert and stay away from it.

One of the most common harmful chemicals found in cosmetics is paraben. Actually, it is a group known as parabens that are cruel, synthetic preservatives known to possess antibacterial properties for fighting against the bacteria on the skin. Moreover, the skin quickly absorbs them. However, they cause endocrine function disruption, harsh allergies and cancer. Alarmingly, parabens are commonly used in just all cosmetics and other health care products. They are even found in moisturizers as well as shampoos for little babies. Parabens are usually named with prefixes such as butyl-, methyl- and propyl-.

Other harmful ingredients include phthalates such as Dimethylphthalate (DMP), Dibutylphthalate (DBP) and Diethylphthalate (DEP). These phthalates are synthetic derivations of estrogen. However, these chemicals tend to damage the organs such as liver, lungs, kidney and kidney. Further, they also badly affect growth and reproduction abilities of the body by disrupting hormones. As a fact, these phthalates are present in nail polish, soaps, shampoos, lotions, deodorants, and hair sprays.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is another harmful ingredient present in shampoos and body washes. It is an industrial ingredient used for creating foam. While there is no proper research done to prove it as a harmful chemical, the manufacturing procedure tend to contaminate it with by-products such as 1,4 dioxane that is a carcinogenic and anti-immune substance. According to research, over 20% of personal care products have 1,4 – dioxane.

You will also find toluene, a petroleum-based ingredient used widely in cosmetics such as nail polishes. Chemically, it is a neurotoxin that badly affects the brain functioning as well as the central nervous system.