Choosing cosmetics and perfumes competently | Possible harmful ingredients

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Every woman has her own preferences in terms of products that help to look good, feel young and spectacular. Even the very process of choosing a perfume, shampoo or decorative cosmetics is already uplifting and serves as a kind of stress reliever. And it can be very disappointing when the purchased perfumery and cosmetic products not only do not live up to expectations, but also become the cause of health problems. We will consider the sources of troubles of this kind and ways to avoid them today.

 

Harmful substances contained in "beauty products"

Each perfume and cosmetic product has a specific set of consumer qualities. For example, shampoo should lather well and effectively cleanse hair, lipstick should have a beautiful color and consistency that allows it to stay on the surface of the lips for a long time, perfume should have a strong and lasting aroma. It is impossible to achieve such properties without the addition of various synthetic chemicals. Many of the ingredients of today's "beauty products" are by no means safe. The list of the most harmful of them includes:

  • imidazolidinyl urea. A very common preservative. Included in eye shadow, powder, shampoos (including children's), colognes and lotions. Causes dermatitis. When storing products in heat, it decomposes, releasing formaldehyde;
  • alkylphenol ethoxylate. An ingredient in most shampoos. It has mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Inhibits the process of sperm production in men;
  • albumen. Included in anti-aging creams as a substance that helps reduce wrinkles. In fact, it creates a dense film that limits the access of oxygen, which interferes with the normal course of metabolic processes in the skin;
  • alpha hydroxy acids. Ingredients in most face and body scrubs. They help exfoliate dead cells, but make the skin defenseless against aggressive environmental factors;
  • acetamide. Moisturizer in blush and lipstick. Mutagen, carcinogen;
  • benzene. Included in many cosmetic products. Extremely toxic;
  • butylhydroxyanisole. A preservative used to increase the shelf life of products (creams, sprays, etc). It has carcinogenic properties, is quickly absorbed through the skin and accumulates in the body;
  • gamma hexachlorane. Component of many shampoos, creams, lotions. It has a toxic effect on the nervous system. Can provoke the development of skin cancer;
  • dioxane. Included in soaps, shampoos, lotions, creams, hair conditioners. It is a strong carcinogen. Destructive effect on liver cells;
  • isopropanol. Component of mouthwashes and other products. It can cause severe poisoning, accompanied by dizziness, headache and nosebleeds. With prolonged use causes the development of malignant neoplasms of the throat and oral cavity;
  • coal tar (tar). One of the main ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoos. May cause asthma attacks and other allergic reactions. Prolonged use leads to a decrease in attention and memory, chronic fatigue, headaches, nausea;
  • carbomer. Stabilizer and thickener in mascara, creams, bath products. It provokes the development of inflammatory processes in the eyes and skin allergic reactions;
  • quaternium-15. Antimicrobial agent and preservative. After the expiration of the storage period, it decomposes with the release of formaldehyde;
  • cocamide DEA (DEA) (coconut oil amide). A popular ingredient in shampoos. A complex substance that can decompose to form highly carcinogenic nitrosamines;
  • sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). Included in the vast majority of shampoos. As a detergent, it is not very effective, but it is cheap and foams well, creating the illusion of a high quality product. Extremely harmful. It dries out hair and scalp, inhibits hair growth, destroys hair follicles. Poorly excreted from the body, accumulates in the liver, brain, eye tissues. Negatively affects vision. No less dangerous are substances with similar properties – ammonium laureth sulfate (ALS) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which are also widely used in the production of shampoos and bath foam;
  • loramide dey (DEA). Another foaming agent in the composition of soaps and shampoos. Easily enters into chemical reactions that go with the release of nitrosamines;
  • methylchloroisothiazolinone. Preservative with carcinogenic and mutagenic properties;
  • para-aminobenzoic acid (vitamin B10). A common ingredient in sunscreens. Phototoxic. May cause eczema and contact dermatitis;
  • parabens. The name of a group of commonly used preservatives. Strong allergens. Cause breast cancer
  • para-phenylenediamines. Substances that color hair black or brown. They provoke the appearance of various malignant neoplasms (lymphomas, myelomas, etc.);
  • polysorbates. Emulsifiers. Toxic. The use is fraught with the occurrence of dermatitis;
  • propylene glycol. A cheap product of the distillation of oil. Included in many shampoos and skin care products as a moisturizing ingredient. In fact, it greatly dries and irritates the skin and accumulates in the body, having a negative effect on the functioning of the kidneys and liver;
  • triclosan. A popular antibacterial ingredient in detergents. Carcinogenic and toxic. It has a bad effect on the state of the brain, lungs, liver and kidneys, reduces potency;
  • FDS (FDC-n or FD&C). A group of substances used as dyes. Most of them irritate the skin and some are carcinogens. Safe in small quantities, but the allowable concentrations for each color group are not clearly defined, and the risk of overdose is very high;
  • phthalates (salts of phthalic acid). Components of many perfumery and cosmetic products. Highly toxic. Destroy liver and kidney cells. If ingested by a pregnant woman, they can cause fetal malformations;
  • fluorocarbons. Included in hair sprays. In aerosol form, they are dangerous for the respiratory system;
  • formaldehyde. Preservative, component of soap, shampoo, decorative cosmetics. Causes irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Carcinogen;
  • ethanolamines. A large group of substances that are added to soaps, shampoos, bath foams as foaming agents and emulsifiers. May have toxic effects on the skin, bone and spinal cord, liver and kidneys.

Choosing cosmetics and perfumes competently | Possible harmful ingredients

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Separately, it is worth dwelling on the substances that cosmetics manufacturers advertise as products that can improve the condition of the skin and even rejuvenate it. These are elastin and collagen, which are produced from the tissues of cattle or poultry. Unfortunately, as ingredients in cosmetics, they are more harmful than helpful.

The fact is that elastin and collagen, which give elasticity to human skin, are very different from their animal counterparts. The molecules of the latter are too large to be compatible with human skin. Products containing them simply create a surface film that prevents the skin from breathing, but do not have any cosmetic effect.

The widely advertised lanolin (animal wax) does not penetrate the skin either. But it clogs pores and can cause allergic reactions.

 

We choose cosmetics and perfumery wisely

The risk associated with the use of perfumes and cosmetics is not limited to the possible ingestion of toxic substances. On the packaging of goods produced by well-known companies, there is reliable information about the composition and expiration date. However, today in our country a lot of "counterfeit" products (imitating the products of well-known brands) are being sold, as well as funds of completely unknown brands. When buying such products, the risk of getting at least an allergic reaction in addition increases dramatically. Therefore, when choosing perfumes and cosmetics, you must keep in mind the following:

  • you can not buy "beauty products" anywhere. It is clear that when we go shopping of this kind to well-known stores and salons, we agree in advance to some overpayment. But health is worth it. This is the only way to minimize the risk of acquiring a dangerous product;
  • You need to carefully read everything that is written on the product packaging. It is especially important to pay attention to its expiration date and composition. Many dangerous ingredients have multiple names, and manufacturers often put the most obscure of them on the packaging. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a list of unwanted components with you with all the variations of their names;
  • Do not buy expensive perfumes and cosmetics in a hurry. They require a thoughtful approach and careful study of samples. Even a company store can sell perfumes (by the way, they are most often faked) or decorative cosmetics, which are very similar to the products of famous companies, but are still “counterfeit”. It makes sense to learn in advance about all the features of the packaging of these products and have their exact description with you;
  • it is dangerous to frequently change your preferences for "beauty products". It is better to choose the products of one or two reputable companies and buy them in stores that are trustworthy.

Choosing cosmetics and perfumes competently | Possible harmful ingredients

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It is very important to follow the rules and terms of storage of perfumery and cosmetic products. Many of them become dangerous due to the fact that the components in the heat decompose to form toxic substances. In some, long-term storage creates an environment favorable for the reproduction of pathogens. On the packages of well-known brands, there is usually information on how long it will be safe to use the product after opening the jar or tube. Such data should not be neglected.

Recently, women often prefer "beauty products" made on their own or purchased from hand-made masters. Here, the absence (or presence) of allergies plays a significant role (most of these products consist of natural ingredients) and the degree of trust in the manufacturer. However, the use of piece goods in any case provides an individual approach to the choice of components and minimization of the risks associated with the inclusion of potentially hazardous substances in cosmetics and perfumery.

Source: neboleem.net

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