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	Toxic Substances in Cosmetics

Did you ever read the constituents listed on the labels of your cosmetics and other skin care products? Any idea what those ingredients are?

You may be unaware that lots of the skins care products and cosmetics you are using contain ingredients that not only damage your skin, but also your health in long run. Most of these ingredients are known carcinogens (substances responsible for causing cancer) but are used by the cosmetic industry just to save money.

Harmful Ingredients Normally Present in Skin Care Products and Cosmetics
These are just some of the artificial chemicals recognized by scientific studies to be injurious to our health.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) : Usually mentioned as being "obtained from coconut" to hide their poisonous character, these chemicals are frequently used in shampoos, toothpaste, foaming facial and body cleansers and bubble bath. SLS and ALS are responsible for severe skin irritation, and can easily enter the body, deposit in the brain, heart, lungs and liver can likely cause long term health problems. SLS and ALS can also lead to cataracts, and impairs the proper development of children’s eyes.

Paraben Preservatives: Parabens are largely used in cosmetics, deodorants, skin care and baby products to increase their shelf life. They are proven toxic substances and cause rashes and allergic reactions. Scientific studies in the UK showed a strong association between the use of parabens and the rising incidences of breast cancer in women. Researchers noted a high concentration of parabens in majority of breast tumors tested.

Propylene Glycol:Used in various beauty creams, cosmetics and cleansers, Propylene Glycol can lead to skin rashes and contact dermatitis, and has been proved to be responsible for damage to the kidneys and liver.

Isopropyl Alcohol: Alcohol is used in various skin care products as a solvent. It can irritate the skin and remove the skin of its natural acid shield, thus helping the growth of bacteria, moulds and viruses. It can also lead to premature ageing of skin.

DEA (Diethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine) and MEA (Monoethanolamine): These substances are strong solvents and detergents and used in cosmetics and face and body creams as an emollient. They can lead to allergic reactions, and using DEA-based products (like Cocamide DEA) for long time can lead to a rise in the case of liver and kidney cancer.

Aluminum: A regular ingredient in antiperspirants, aluminum is associated with Alzheimer's Disease.

Mineral Oil: Obtained from petroleum (crude oil), mineral oil is normally used as a prime ingredient in face and body creams and cosmetics. Baby oil is complete mineral oil. It covers the skin like a plastic film, blocking pores and preventing the skin from excreting toxins that can cause acne and other skin disorders. Other petroleum based ingredients are paraffin wax, paraffin oil and petrolatum.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) : It is a thickener in skin care products and cosmetics. PEG can disrupt the skin's natural moisture balance, resulting in speeding up of ageing and making the skin prone to bacterial infections.

Talc: Talc is a soft mineral found in talcum powders and cosmetic powders. Scientific studies have proved that regular application of talcum powder to the genital area can cause 3-4 times rise in the growth of ovarian cancer. Inhaling cosmetic powders containing talc can also damage health in long run.

How To Stay Away from These Toxins: Read the labels of your cosmetics and skin care products properly. Learn to know harmful components. Many web sites like Environmental Working Group carry lists of prospective harmful ingredients
Don't be misled by the words 'natural' or 'organic' mentioned on the label. Many products contain at least 1-2 natural or organic components but they can also have toxic artificial chemicals. If possible, select products with 100% natural ingredients like essential oils and herbs. It will be a blessing for your skin.

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