Why don’t we read beauty labels as rigorously as we do food labels? Sometimes, it seems like we are more concerned with what we put in our bodies than what we put on them. Your skin absorbs a good amount of what you put on it, which means there are all kinds of chemicals you could be exposing your body to. Regulation is subpar at best, and many of the synthetic ingredients used are toxic. Products are tested for any major side effects that immediately crop up, but what about the accumulated effect of using several products over the span of your life?
Reduce your risk by avoiding these harsh and harmful chemicals:
Parabens
There are a few different types of parabens, and what they do is prevent bacterial growth in a variety of products, from toothpaste to body lotion. Nearly 85% of all cosmetics contain parabens. While a small amount isn’t terribly concerning, the cumulative effect is what you should be worried about. Parabens mimic estrogen, which causes an increased risk of breast cancer. Malignant tumors have been found to contain parabens.
They are increasingly easy to avoid, however. Many organic product manufacturers have either found alternatives or are allowing their products to have a shorter shelf life in exchange for no paraben use.
Phthalates
Phthalates are everywhere in your home, from household cleaners to personal care products. A number of studies were done on the effects of phthalates after the CDC expressed concern, and thank goodness for that. These studies linked the chemicals to asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, obesity, behavioral issues in children, diabetes, and even more. Pregnant women and children are the most vulnerable to these effects. Unfortunately, phthalates are not labeled and thus are very difficult to avoid. The best recommendation for staying away is to use all organic and natural products, eat locally grown organic foods, and store items in glass instead of plastic.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) / Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Ever wonder what makes toothpaste, shampoo, and other cleaning products foam up? That’s the sulfates at work. While one of the annoying but non-threatening side effects is dry hair, sulfates can really do a number when they get on the inside. You absorb a lot of what comes into contact with your skin, including the chemicals found in body products. Your body cannot process sulfates, so they stay behind and cause neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, irritation, and endocrine disruption. They are also often contaminated with a carcinogenic by-product that makes its way into your body as well. Thankfully, it is becoming much easier to find products that don’t contain these harmful chemicals.
Propylene Glycol
While propylene glycol may be the least harmful of the bunch, there is still enough concern surrounding it to warrant caution. Frequent exposure can irritate the skin, and the U.S. allows for higher levels in products than does the European Union. There has not been enough extensive human testing to determine if it is truly safe, but it is generally considered non-toxic. Although, as an ingredient found in antifreeze, it lowers the freezing point of water and, in skin care products, increases the skin’s propensity to absorb whatever it comes into contact with. This means that other chemicals can more easily make their way into your bloodstream and wreak havoc.
Benzoyl Peroxide
This is a very common ingredient in acne treatments, and it works by severely drying the skin and causing it to peel, reducing the amount of bacteria present. The FDA has issued warnings, as people who are hypersensitive to its effects can have severe, life-threatening allergic reactions. It also produces free radicals, which stress cells and damage DNA. While it is true that exercise also produces free radicals, our body and the food we consume produce antioxidants that counteract their effects. The concern is that with benzoyl peroxide, you are adding more free radicals to the mix, and your body will not be able to keep up and there will not be enough antioxidants to fully negate them.
It pays to be cautious. You only have one life, and while some sources may say these chemicals are harmless and only very sensitive people will have reactions, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Without extensive testing and 100% proven results, it is better to be cautious than regretful.
