Cosmetics & Body Health

Cosmetics are products use to clean the body, make it more attractive & to enhance the appearance. They generally  include

• Skin-care creams & lotions
• Makeup & spa products
• Perfumes/ deodorants
• Hand sanitizers
• Hair dye, shampoos etc. 

 

Motivations Behind Using Cosmetics

There are some positive & some negative factors exist behind using cosmetics as;

 A good way to tell if you're buying a cosmetic that is also a drug is to see if the first ingredient listed is an "active ingredient." The active ingredient is the chemical that makes the product effective, and the manufacturer must have proof that it's safe for its intended use. To find out all the ingredients in a cosmetic you use, check the container. Manufacturers are required to list them. Labels such as "natural" and "hypoallergenic" have no official meaning. Companies can use them to mean whatever they want.

What Do Cosmetics Contain?

Most cosmetics contain a combination of some of the following ingredients:

• Water
• Emulsifier
• Preservative
• Thickener
• Color
• Fragrance and pH stabilizers. 

Substances In Makeup

• The main ingredients in makeups are pigments such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, both of which are also physical sunscreens.
• Other main ingredients include mica (Sericite) and pigmenting minerals, such as iron oxide, tin oxide, and magnesium myristate.
• Mineral makeup usually does not contain synthetic fragrances, preservatives, mineral oil, and chemical dyes. 
• Because of this, many dermatologists consider mineral makeup to be purer and kinder to the skin than makeup that contains those ingredients^.
• However, some mineral makeups contain Bismuth oxychloride, which can be irritating to the skin of sensitive individuals. Others also contain talc, over which there is some controversy because of its comedogenic tendencies (tendency to clog pores and therefore cause acne) and because some people are sensitive to talc.

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide have anti-inflammatory properties, mineral makeups with those ingredients can also have a calming effect on the skin, which is particularly important for those who suffer from inflammatory. Zinc oxide is also anti-microbial.

Some harmful chemicals in cosmetics & skin care products are as follows;

• Lauramide DEA
• Oleth 2, 5 & 10
• Quaternium 22 & 26
• Sodium PCA
• VP-Methacrylamide
• White Petrolatum 

I strongly urge you to print out this page. Then cross check the cosmetic toxins listed here with the ingredient labels on the cosmetic and skin care products you use. Right now! Be sure to check every product, even those so-called natural skin care products. Stay safe!