Today we are going to continue our discussion about some of the harmful ingredients that are in our cosmetics. If you’ve read parts 1 and 2, then you know that the ingredients that I’ve been highlighting can be found on my blog in the “More” tab. But, if this is your first even hearing about this discussion, welcome! I hope that you will check out the previous segments, as they contain other ingredients that are pretty popular. If you take a peek at the list, then you will see that we are about halfway through the list, which is a bit disheartening to me. Not because there are more to explore, but because there are SO MANY chemicals that are put into conventional cosmetics. And no one knows about them! I’d like to think that if people knew that these chemicals get absorbed into our bloodstream and can cause some serious issues, they would turn to clean/green products. However, I know, that some probably wouldn’t care. BUT! For those of you who do strive to use clean products and are seeking to educate yourselves, I hope that these posts enlighten you. Once again, we are tackling five more harmful ingredients.
1) Genetically Modified Organisms/Ingredients:
The first ones to kick off our discussion are GMOs or GMIs. Simply put, these are ingredients or organisms that are the result of a laboratory process where the genetic material has been altered. These GMOs are used to produce many medications and genetically modified foods. These are also used in scientific research and the production of other goods. These are pretty prevalent in the food industry, but they can also be found in cosmetics. GMOs are developed specifically to assist in the production of cosmetic ingredients. For instance, canola has been modified to produce higher levels of lauric acid. This is a key ingredient in soaps and detergents. Other ingredients that are used for this purpose are: corn, cotton, sugar beets, soy, papaya, maltodextrins, ethanol (if derived from corn or GMO sugar beets), sucrose (if derived from sugar beets), molasses (if derived from sugar beets), amino acids, and yeast products 1*. As you can see, this is a fairly long list, but it is not exhaustive. This is why it is extremely important that the products that you are purchasing only contain natural and organic ingredients.
2) Hydroquinone Skin Lightener:
Also Known As: 1,4-Benzenediol; 1,4-Dihydroxybenzene; 1,4Benzenediol; 4-Hydroxyphenol; P-Dioxybenzene; P-Hydroxyphenol; 1,4-Benzenediol; 1,4-Dihydroxy-Benzeen 2*.
Hydroquinone is an aromatic organic compound that is used as an active ingredient in drug products. It is used as an antioxidant, to provide fragrance, hair colorant, reducing agent, hair dying, and a skin lightener. However, the most common use of this ingredient is to lighten dark patches of skin, such as hyperpigmentation, melisma, “liver spots”, “age spots”, and even freckles. While this may be effective, it does have some awful side effects. It’s known to be toxic to the respiratory system, the liver, and to the gastrointestinal tract. It also can cause several allergic reactions for some, resulting in liver or kidney disease, asthma or sulfite allergies. Topically, it can cause severe skin redness, burning, stinging, and dryness. Which can lead to cracking, bleeding, blisters or oozing. It can even have the reverse effects and can cause blue or black discoloration on the skin 3*.
3) Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate:
Also Known As: 3-Iodo-2-Propynyl Butylcarbamate; Butyl-3-Iodo-2-Propynyl Ester Carbamic Acid; Idopropynl Butylcarbamate; Iodopropyl Butylcarbamate; Iodopropynl Butylcarbamate; Carbamic Acid; IODOCARB; IPBC 4*.
This ingredient is used as a preservative in cosmetic formulas. It’s used to prevent mold, bacteria, and other germs form spreading in creams and lotions. It’s also used in paints, coatings, primers, and wood preservatives. You are also likely to find this ingredient in foundations, concealers, bronzers, self-tanners, eye shadows, mascaras, makeup removers, har products, shaving creams, bath soaks, body washes, lip balms, and moisturizers 6*. The most prevalent issues with this ingredient is that it can cause skin allergies and it is very toxic by inhalation. The most common skin reaction is dermatitis. It generally takes a couple of days for this to happen, but the typical symptoms are redness, swelling, itching, and fluid-filled blisters 5*. Due to its toxicity levels, it is prohibited to be in aerosol products or in any where it can be easily inhaled. If it is, it can cause significant damage to the immune system.
4) Lead:
Also Known As: Gloever; Lead Flake; Lead Inorganic; Lead S2; Olow (Polish); Omaha & Grant.
Recent studies have shown that there is no safe level of lead exposure. It is known to be a reproductive and developmental toxicant. Frequent exposure can also cause cancer. Other health concerns include immune and nervous system toxicity. It’s been linked to learning language, and behavioral problems 7*. Due to this, it has been eliminated from gasoline and paint in the US, which resulted in considerably reduced exposures in the past several decades. Lead has also been linked to reduced fertility in both men and women, hormonal changes and menstrual irregularities. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable because lead crosses the placenta and may enter the fetal brain. This metal is a potential impurity found in color cosmetics, including lipstick.
5) Mercury:
Also Known As: HG; Liquid Silver; Calomel, Mercurous; Chloride; Mercuric; Mercurio; *8,9
Mercury has been linked to nervous system toxicity, as well as reproductive, immune and respiratory toxicity. It also has toxic effects on the nervous, digestive, and immune systems and on the lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. It is commonly found in skin lightening soaps and creams. It’s also found in eye makeup removers and mascaras 10*. The use of products containing this ingredient not only causes the above issues, it can also cause death, as it accumulates in the body, which increases the risk of each use. Since this product is so dangerous, I recommend that you check the labels of any products that are advertised as face-lightening, anti-aging or blemish treatments. If the label lists “mercurous chloride”, “calome”, “mercuric”, or “mercuio” as being some of its ingredients, stop use immediately.
Sources:
4*:
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