4 Chemicals in Beauty Products That Can Harm You

You are most likely using beauty products for your hair, skin, or face. This is expected because people just want to look their best, especially when they are going out. There are so many products to choose from and it’s actually fun and exciting to select and buy new items that you can use to enhance your natural looks. Makeup, lipsticks, lotions, shampoos, fragrances, and creams are endorsed by stunning stars or models that people aspire to look like.

Because of so much hype surrounding beauty products, it won’t even occur to people to question if these are a hundred percent safe. Safety should actually be a concern since there are many products out there that contain chemicals that are harmful to the body.

Know more about what chemicals in products can harm you and try to avoid these as much as possible. Remember that you only have one body and one life, and beauty does not have to be too costly.

Artificial Colors

Artificial or synthetic colors are used to enhance the look of products, such as fragrances or lipsticks. Synthetic colors are classified using letters and numbers, such as Yellow 5 (CI 19140) or Red 40 (CI 16035). There have been studies that state how artificial colorings can cause itching, rashes, or other skin irritations. Some could experience dizziness or hyperactivity. Hair dyes also contain coal-tar dyes and these types have been associated with the growth of cancerous tumors.

Preservatives: BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), and Parabens

Both BHT and BHA are often used to increase the shelf life of lotions, moisturizers, and lipsticks. Parabens are found in a large number of everyday items, including shampoos, moisturizers, toothpaste, and shaving gels. Parabens are linked to cancer, particularly breast cancer. This chemical can act like or imitate estrogen, which is a hormone linked to the development of breast cancer. As for BHT, this can affect liver function and may cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Both BHT and BHA are also said to cause cancer.

Phthalates

Dibutyl phthalates are used in fragrances and nail polish. These chemicals are plasticizers, and this means that they enhance the flexibility or elasticity of plastics. So, they make nail polish more resistant to chipping and generally more long-lasting. In fragrances, phthalates inhibit evaporation; thus, making perfumes last for a while. Like parabens, phthalates can also mimic the action of estrogen. Thus, it is also a cancer-causing chemical. In addition to this, phthalates can also harm the liver and set off a number of metabolic problems.

Formalin

This is the stuff used to preserve dead bodies, and it is found in familiar products that are used on the skin, like nail polish, antiperspirants, shampoos, and moisturizers. Formalin can cause increased heart rate, respiratory problems, skin allergies, and cancer.

Also Read: Chemicals in Bath and Beauty Products

Why avoid these?

These are just a few examples of the hundreds of harmful chemicals used as ingredients in familiar products. Steer clear of items containing such chemicals because you never know how these are affecting your body. However, it can be difficult to totally avoid things that contain such substances as many of the items often used at home contain them. One alternative will be to use all-natural products, which may be pricier but at least you won’t have to worry about their detrimental effects.

Still, in the event that you or a loved one experiences a severe reaction to any product that contains a substance that’s harmful or toxic, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Start a claim and make sure that the manufacturers, distributors, or sellers are made liable. By doing this, you not only protect yourself and your loved ones but also all the people out there who may be using a harmful product.