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	Petroleum and Cosmetics

What is petroleum?

Crude oil, also known as petroleum, is a fossil fuel produced deep inside the earth through a process that needed millions of years to complete.

Today, we all are in contact with a derivative of petroleum daily. By using a process known as fractional distillation, petroleum refineries divide petroleum into its smaller components. Each of these smaller components comprises of molecules known as hydrocarbons.

Many of today’s products are obtained from petroleum. E.g. gasoline, styrofoam, lubricating oils, etc. are all derived from it. At first glance, petroleum and cosmetics may not be closely related, but in today’s world there is a close association between them.

Mineral oil and petroleum are the primary ingredients in various cosmetic products. Both of them are obtained from fossils fuels. Cosmetics like foundations, cleansers, and moisturizers mostly contain mineral oil. By trapping moisture in the skin, mineral oil remains on the skin’s surface and can practically clog pores. This can lead to pimples as the skin is unable to breathe properly.

Perfumes in lotions, shampoos, and various other cosmetic products are made from aromatic hydrocarbons. Perfumes and fragrant products can comprise of hundreds of chemicals to emit a clear smell. A large number of these scents are obtained from petroleum.

One popular chemical additive providing moisture in cosmetics is propylene glycol. It is also derived from petroleum. Some products that contain propylene glycol include: anti-freeze, laundry detergent, paint, shampoo and conditioner. Previous research associates propylene glycol to severe health problems like liver and kidney damage and respiratory irritation or nausea if swallowed.

Isopropyl alcohol is an antiseptic that destroys bacteria on the skin. It is an ingredient in cleansers, toners and other cosmetic products. But this derivative of petroleum dries the skin and can result in small cracks in the skin that provides passage to bacteria, thus causing irritations or pimples.

Do these petroleum-based products harm your health?

Your skin envelopes your body and works as a physical obstacle to most of the pollutants in the air. When you apply products on your skin like cosmetics, lotions, and shampoos, their ingredients come in direct contact with your skin. Research shows the skin absorbs up to 60% of the chemicals from products it comes in direct contact with and they directly enter the bloodstream.

For pregnant women, not only her body but also the developing fetus is at risk. If the chemicals used in cosmetics easily enter the bloodstream on applying to the skin, then they can also go to the developing baby. Researchers at the Brunel University in England have associated a type of preservatives called parabens to the likelihood that male babies will have reduced sperm counts. These preservatives are obtained from petroleum and are used to retain the freshness and integrity of the product. Many manufacturers use parabens in cosmetics to increase the shelf life of cosmetics to at least 3 years. Hence parabens destroys any bacteria that are likely to thrive in the product. Now imagine, if these chemicals can kill bacteria then how would treat your skin cells? In most instances, there is no definite answer to this question. But the research strongly implies that the artificial ingredients can have a devastating effect on our bodies.

In many instances, the long-term effects of most of the chemical additives in our cosmetics are still unknown. But some chemical additives are known carcinogens. These chemicals are responsible for cancer in humans. They include certain artificial colours in cosmetics. The effects of chemicals and other artificial ingredients in cosmetics can cause mild allergic reactions such as rashes and minor skin irritation to major problems like lesions on the skin.

What are the other options for cosmetics?

Fortunately, there are substitutes to cosmetics full of artificially manufactured constituents. Increasingly, cosmetic manufacturers are bowing to the public’s demand for substitutes for chemically filled beauty and grooming supplies. The Organic Make-up Company is one of them and is the leader in manufacture of high-quality, organically produced cosmetics. As a consumer, you have the power to reduce the number of preservatives and chemical additives that come in contact with your skin and can enter your body. To prevent synthetically derived fragrances, buy products using essential oils. These are pure oils obtained from flowers and other parts of plants.

All you have to do is make a simple decision of buying cosmetic products using completely natural, organic ingredients. To use or not to use cosmetics containing petroleum-based ingredients is a matter of personal preference. The most important thing is to obtain the facts and understand you have an option between choosing organic or synthetic cosmetic products.

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