There are various types of cosmetics products that you can be find in the market these days. These cosmetic products came from various choices of brand names, specifications, and prices. Some cosmetics products might come with well known brand name while others might come with less known brand name instead. Some cosmetics products might use natural-based ingredients while others might use chemical-based ingredients instead.
When you want to buy cosmetics products, there are several things that you need to consider. One of the most important things that you should notice when you want to buy cosmetics products is the ingredients that are used in the products. Most cosmetics products in the market these days use chemicals as the ingredients. There are various types of chemicals that are commonly used in cosmetics products. Some of these chemicals might be safe while others might be dangerous. That’s why it’s very important for you to pay attention to the ingredients of the cosmetics products that you want to buy.
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You can know what chemicals in cosmetics products that you want to buy by paying attention to their ingredients. As a quick guide, below are several chemicals in cosmetics products these days.
- Anti-Bacterial Chemicals
Anti-bacterial chemicals are on of the most common types of chemicals that can be found in cosmetic products these days. There are various types of chemical that can be categorized as anti-bacterial chemicals. One of them is triclosan that are commonly used in cosmetics products such as soap, deodorant, and tooth paste. Triclosan is considered as one of the types of chemical that are carcinogen or can cause cancer. That’s why you need to be really careful when using cosmetics products that contain this chemical. Besides toxic, triclosan also can be absorbed easily by your skin as well. Several studies found that the anti-bacterial chemicals can harm the function of testosterone and can damage some good bacteria which will lead to lower immune against certain types of infection.
- Butyl Acetate
Other chemical compound that is commonly found in cosmetics products these days is butyl acetate. This chemical compound is usually used in cosmetics products such as nail smoother and nail polish. If you use cosmetics products that contain butyl acetate for long term excessively, this chemical compound can cause skin issues such as dry skin or even cracked skin. Besides, if you inhale gas that came from butyl acetate, the gas can make you feel sleepy or even might cause headache.
- Cationic surfactants
Cationic surfactants are the type of chemicals that is commonly used in conditioner for hair. This type of chemical is also known as softener that contains positive electric charge. If you use conditioner that contains cationic surfactants excessively in long term, this chemical might damage your hair instead and make your hair looks dry and fragile. Using conditioner that contains this chemical too often will not make your hair looks more beautiful but will make your hair looks unhealthy instead.
- Coal tar
Coal tar is the type of tar that came from coal. Tar is known as one of the most dangerous chemicals that are commonly used in various products these days, including in cosmetics products. Coal tar is usually used in products such as anti-dandruff shampoo or anti-itch cream. Coal tar is known as one of the chemicals that are carcinogen or might cause cancer if it’s used excessively in long term.
- Chemical compounds that can be contaminated by nitrosamines
Nitrosamines are the chemical compound that is considered carcinogen. There are many chemicals that are used in cosmetics products that can be contaminated by nitrosamines. These chemical compounds are basically not dangerous or toxic. But when they are contaminated by nitrosamines, these chemicals can be carcinogen as well since nitrosamines are carcinogen.
Chemicals that can be contaminated by nitrosamines are including DEA (diethanolamides), MEA (monoethanolamides), TEA (triethanolamides), MIPA (monoisopropanolamides), PEG (ethoxylated alkyloamides), sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, hydrolyzed animal protein, imidazolidinyl urea lauryl sarcosine, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, and cocoyl sarcosine.
- Formaldehyde
Other dangerous chemical that are commonly used in many products these days is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde also can be found in several cosmetic products such as baby soap, nail polish, hair dyer, and artificial eyelash adhesive. If you use cosmetics products that contain formaldehyde too much, this chemical might cause various health issues such as the damage to immune system, irritation on respiratory duct, or even cancer.
- Mercury
Mercury might be one of the most popular types of chemical that are commonly used in cosmetics products these days. This chemical has reputation and it’s considered as dangerous chemical for long time. Even though this chemical is known for its bad reputation, cosmetic industries still use this chemical on their products. Mercury can be found in so many cosmetic products from skin whitening products to mascara. There are so many health issues that can be caused by the overusing of cosmetic products that contain mercury. These health issues are including allergies, skin irritation, even to nervous system damages.
- Nano particles
There are various nano particles that are commonly used in cosmetic products these days. Some of them are zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Nano particles are usually found in cosmetic products like sun block lotion and sun block cream. Nano particles are the type of particle that can be absorbed easily by your skin. These nano particles can destroy your brain cells if they came in quite huge amount.
- Petroleum distillates
Other common chemical that is used in cosmetic products these days is petroleum distillates or also known as liquid paraffin. This chemical came from the distillation process of crude oil. Petroleum distillates are commonly used in products like mascara and odor-fighting powder that are commonly used for removing bad odor from your feet. Like any other dangerous chemicals, petroleum distillates are carcinogen and might cause cancer if you use it excessively.
- Talc
Talc is considered as one of dangerous chemicals that are commonly used in cosmetic products these days. There are various cosmetic products that use talc as their ingredients. Some of these products are eye shadow, blush on, deodorant, and soap. Talc is used in cosmetic products so that the product can reduce moist. However, talc is also considered as chemical that is carcinogen as well and might cause cancer if it’s used excessively. If you use talc too much in long term, you might have risk of ovarian cancer or lung tumor.
- Aluminum and its derivatives
Several types of cosmetic products that work as antiperspirant or antiseptic usually use metal as one of their ingredients. The most common type of metal that is used in these cosmetic products is aluminum. Several studies have found that aluminum has connection to the risk of breast cancer. If you use antiperspirants that contain aluminum, this metal can clog your skin pores.
As the result, skin will be unable to release toxins naturally through pores and the toxins will piled up on nearest fat cells such as on breast or even on your brain. Aluminum in cosmetic products is also known for its connection with Alzheimer as well. If you want to use deodorant and you want to prevent these health issues, you can choose deodorant that is aluminum free or paraben free. In lotion, aluminum is usually listed under the name magnesium aluminum silicate or other names. Aluminum and its derivatives are also dangerous for your brain nervous system as well.
- Alcohol
Alcohol is also a common chemical that is used in many cosmetic products these days. Alcohol that is used in cosmetic products might come from sugar fermentation or from natural plants. If you use cosmetic products that contain alcohol, the alcohol can cause various negative effects on your skin.
Several issues that can be caused by alcohol in cosmetic products are including the erosion of natural oil on skin, the opening of acid mantle on skin, and making your skin more susceptible to bacteria, virus, carcinogen, and various toxins from your surroundings. Alcohol also can make your skin drier as well. Besides alcohol that came from natural ingredients, alcohol in cosmetic products also might be made from propylene or crude oil derivatives. This type of alcohol even can cause dark spots on your skin and might trigger the symptoms of early aging.
- Aminomethyl Propanol
Aminomethyl Propanol is other type of chemical that is usually found in cosmetic products. This chemical is used as pH regulator in cosmetic products. This chemical compound is categorized as quite dangerous compared to other chemical compounds that can be found in cosmetic products.
- Glycerine
There are two types of glycerine that are commonly used in cosmetic products. The first type came from plants while the other type came from animals. Glycerine also can appear as natural product or can also appear as synthetic product. Natural glycerine can also came from process of soap making such as the one that came from the process of making ecocare soap. To prevent any negative effects, you need to make sure that the cosmetic products that you use contain glycerine that came from plants.
Glycerine that came from animals and synthetic glycerine can cause various negative effects such as irritation. Collagen that can be found in glycerine that came from animals can make your skin hard to breathe and can make skin hard to regenerate the cells naturally. Glycerin that came from animals also usually contains hormone from animals that is usually full of chemicals like antibiotics and growth hormone that are usually used by breeders. These chemicals will be eventually absorbed by your skin through glycerine that came from animals that can be found in cosmetic products that you use.
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- Cholesterol
Other chemical that came from animals that is usually found in cosmetic products these days is cholesterol. Basically, cholesterols cannot be absorbed easily by your skin. However, when the cholesterol from your cosmetic products eventually is absorbed by your skin, this chemical can clog your arteries and cause health issues.
- Gelatin
Gelatin is also product from animals that is commonly used in cosmetic products these days. This chemical can cause allergies if you use it too much. Gelatin came from any types of animals and came from any parts of animals. Basically, gelatin is the type of protein that can be found in animals’ connective tissue.
- Borax
Borax is other chemical that can be found in most cosmetic products these days. Some experts categorize borax as safe chemical for cosmetic products. But other studies show that this chemical can cause several health issues if it’s used excessively in long term. Borax is even considered as carcinogen or chemical that can cause cancer in human. Cosmetic products that contain borax can cause skin irritation. Several studies also find the connection between borax and cancer as well. This chemical is also considered as the cause of kidney problems, infertility, and birth defects as well.
- BHA (Butylated hydroxianisole) and BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene)
Both of these chemicals are synthetic antioxidant. You might know that antioxidant is good for health since antioxidant can fight free radicals that might cause health issues. However, synthetic antioxidant is not as good as you might think. Unlike natural antioxidant, synthetic antioxidant tends to cause health issues instead. Synthetic antioxidant is considered as carcinogen and might cause cancer in human. Synthetic antioxidant also might cause hyperactivity and behavior disorder in children as well. Other negative effect of synthetic antioxidant is that it can cause eye irritation and skin allergies.
- Ceteareths
Ceteareths are basically the type of chemical that is not dangerous for your health. However, this chemical can be contaminated by other chemicals that are categorized as carcinogen.
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- Synthetic colors
There are so many cosmetic products these days that use synthetic colors. Some synthetic colors such as FD&C Green 3 or FD&C Blue 1 are known as carcinogenic and might cause cancer. Some cosmetic products are even used synthetic colors that came from crayon which are known contain toxins that are dangerous for health. Other cosmetic products might use food coloring agent that contains paraben that is also dangerous for your health as well.
- Disodium EDTA
Disodium EDTA is also a common chemical that is used in many cosmetic products these days. This chemical is considered as toxin. The types of toxin that can be found in this chemical are cytotoxin and genotoxin. Even though it’s toxic, disodium EDTA is not carcinogen. However, it’s still considered dangerous for your health.
- Distearyldimonium chloride
Distearyldimonium chloride is a chemical that is not only dangerous for your health but it’s also dangerous for environment as well. This chemical can cause issues on your eyes, skin, and lungs.
- Fragrance
There are also various types of fragrance that are commonly used in cosmetic products these days. One of them is phthalates. This chemical compound is considered as one of the dangerous chemicals that are used in cosmetic products. Phthalates can cause birth defects, reproduction issues, skin irritation, headache, vomit, and even respiratory problems. If you want to use cosmetic products that contain fragrance, choose the ones that use fragrance that came from natural herbs or essential oils.
- Glyceryl oleate
Glyceryl oleate is also considered as dangerous chemical that can be found in most cosmetic products these days. Glyceryl oleate is considered dangerous for human since this chemical compound is carcinogen. Glyceryl oleate also can cause other health issues as well such as reproductive issues. This chemical compound also contains neurotoxin as well. Glyceryl oleate is not only dangerous for human but also dangerous for environment as well, especially for water ecosystem.
- Glycols
Glycols or propylene glycol is other type of chemical compound that can be found in cosmetic products these days. Some experts categorize this chemical compound as dangerous while some others consider it safe. There are various types of glycols that are commonly used in many products these days, including cosmetic products. These glycols are including propylene glycol, glycerine, ethylene glycol, carbitol, and diethylene glycol. Several types of glycols can cause reproductive issues, birth defects, kidney damage, and liver issues.
- Lanolin
Lanolin is basically considered as chemical that came naturally since it came from sheep. However, the chemicals that are used to extract and process lanolin might be dangerous for human. That’s why you need to be really careful when using cosmetic products that contain this chemical.
- Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone
Both of these chemicals are used in cosmetic products as anti-microbes. These chemicals might cause skin irritation. Both of these chemicals also might cause damage to your brain as well.
- Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is also chemical that can be found in most cosmetic products these days. this chemical is usually found in products such as sunscreen. This chemical is considered as photo carcinogen.
- Polyacrylamide
Polyacrylamide is considered as chemical that is very dangerous for human. This chemical might be carcinogenic and can cause irritation to skin and respiratory system. Polyacrylamide is also dangerous for environment as well.
- Phenoxyethanol
Other dangerous chemical that can be found in cosmetics products these days is Phenoxyethanol. This chemical might cause cancer, organ damage, and nervous system issues.
The Risks of Taking Chemicals in Makeup
Well, it’s better for people out there to use natural makeup or at least take a look to the makeup ingredients before they apply it to face and body. Thus, there are many risks of using makeup or cosmetics with harmful chemicals. Here are the lists of chemicals in makeup:
- Skin irritation
- Health issues
- Lower immunity
- Cancer
- Ageing
- Dangerous for brain nerveous system
- Allergy
Well, there are more risks for skin, face, and body. Yet, the most dangerous thing is makeup with chemicals compound would not make you beautiful. Thus, it’s always a good idea to look beautiful inside.
Meanwhile, cosmetics is used everyday by female to look beautiful. Yet, cosmetics industries use bad chemicals in cosmetics ingredients. Before choose cosmetics, it’s better to look up the ingredients to keep it safe and beautiful inside and out.
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