I'm all about researching products to see what's the best out there, even if I don't necessarily agree. Skin and beauty products are created and work for different types of people. And even if I'm not a big fan of something and everyone says it's the best, well I will still list it as being the best.
Normally, my problem with the products are the ingredients. I know they've got a bunch of junk in them and you shouldn't necessarily use it even if it does work. (Because who's to say what all that junk will do to the rest of your body in about 5-10 years)
So that's why after going into work yesterday and getting ridiculed for putting some of "those types of products" on my top lists that I thought I would do this blog and let you the consumer be the judge of what product you buy.
SO here is my list of horrible ingredients that you don't want in your beauty care routine:
1. Parabens
Most already know this, but here's the low down: This is a family of chemicals that help preserve shelf life of the product. They can mimic estrogen in the body and disrupt our hormonal balance, and have even been linked to breast cancer and fertility issues.
Mostly found in : face cleansers, body wash, body lotion, foundation, & Shampoo.
2. Mineral Oil
Well it says mineral so it must be good, right? Wrong! It coats the skin like plastic wrap and inhibits the skin to breathe and absorb natural moisture. It can promote acne and premature aging.
Mostly found in: moisturizers and skin treatments.
3. Phthalates
Chemicals used to help products stick to our skin. (but it actually helps plastics melt). It's extremely dangerous to children and can be a serious endocrine disruptor and cause birth defects.
Mostly found in: Deodorant, lotion, fragrance, hair spray, and candles.
4. Fragrance
This is a tricky one, I've never really minded the fragrance in a product as long as I liked the smell, however just reading number 3 and knowing that Phthalates can be a part of fragrance and you wouldn't even know it. You see companies don't have to disclose what ingredients are inside their "fragrance" and they often include a ton of chemicals.
Mostly found in: Moisturizers, hand creams, lotions, & hair products.
5. Retinyl Palmitate & Retinol (aka Vitamin A)
Honestly we've been lead to believe that this is like one of the holy grails of youthfulness in the skincare world, but you aren't told that while it may soften those wrinkles or dry up that acne, it's also possibly damaging your DNA and can speed the growth of skin tumors!
Mostly found in: Moisturizers, and Anti-againg Skincare
6. Sunscreen Chemicals
Also listed as: (benzophenone, PABA, avo benzine homosalate, ethoxycinnmate, oxybenzone)
Yes, sunscreen should be apart of your everyday skin routine, just make sure you are using the right kinds. Many of the chemicals used to block the rays can also cause cellular damage and cancer in the body!
7. Sodium Lauryl Sulfates & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS)
Known to cause skin irritations.
Mostly found in: Shampoo, body wash, bubble bath.
8. Formaldehyde
Yes we use this to preserve dead things but it can also be in our beauty regimen. It's linked to asthma and neurotoxicity.
Mostly found in: Shampoo, Body Wash, Bubble bath, and nail treatments.
9. Lead
Hey, like me you may have thought that this was completely band from being in anything but know that's just paint, apparently here in the U.S. we are still allowed to put this on our lips and reapply all day long! Lead can cause serious behavioral and learning problems.
Mostly found in: lipstick and lip gloss.
10. Synthetic Colors
Normally listed with the color followed by a number and linked to ADHD and skin irritations.
Mostly found: In all products with color and we even tend to drink and eat them!
11. Triclosan
Widely used antimicrobaial chemical that's known to disrupt endocrine , thyroid, and reproductive hormones.
Mostly found in: Antibacterial soaps. (Studies found that antibacterial soap were no better and cleansing than regular soap.)
12. BHA/BHT
These are synthetic antioxidants (I didn't even know there was such a thing!) that are used to extend shelf life and are likely carcinogens and hormonal disruptors that may cause liver damage!
Mostly found in: lipsticks, moisturizers, & diaper creams,
13. Toluene
Also can be listed as benzene, phenyl methane, and metal benzene can actual dissolve and thin paint. It can affect your respiratory system, cause nausea, and damage to fetus.
Mostly found in: Nail polish/treatments, hair color, & bleaching products.
14. Propylene Glycol
(PEG, poly ethelene, poly oxyethlene)
Organic Alcohol used as a skin conditioning agent that can cause dermatitis.
Mostly found in: moisturizers, sunscreens, makeup, conditioners, shampoo, & hair sprays.
15. DEA, TEA, MEA, ETA
Can cause cancer and disrupt brain development.
Mostly found in: facial cleansers, shampoos, hair colors, relaxers, & body wash.
16. Triclosan (chloro/dichloyo phyenoxy)
This is actually registered as a pesticide in the U.S. but some how we are still allowed to put it on our body. It can cause thyroid disfunction and liver toxicity.
Mostly found in: soaps, acne treatments, antiperspirants, toothpaste?, active ingredients in antibacterial products.
So looks like I'm already going to be throwing out my deodorant and a few lotions I found while researching this....if you want to know more check out:
Consumer Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winter
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