Health Hazards Tied To Toxic Chemicals In Cosmetics And How To Avoid Them

Chemicals Used In Cosmetics That We Should Be Concerned About

A growing body of hazard-based data implies associations of many chemicals usually used in cosmetics to long-term health concerns like cancer and reproductive problems. In this blog, we explore this problem in-depth and share some advice by Dr. Shyamali Singhal, a surgical oncologist. 

Health Safety Of Cosmetic Products

Many ingredients commonly used in beauty products are not something anybody would like to put on their skin. U.S. researchers report that one out of eight of the ingredients used in personal care products are potentially dangerous chemicals. Some of them are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, as well as hormone disruptors. Many products on the market include plasticizers, chemicals that are used to preserve concrete softness, degreasers used to get the grime off auto parts, and surfactants usually used to reduce surface tension in water, like in paint and inks. There are thousands of chemicals in cosmetic products, many of which are being absorbed into the body. The impact on human skin, and to the environment is often neglected.

It's virtually impossible to avoid every single one of those synthetic chemicals, but everybody can do their part in reducing the number of toxins one exposes their body to.

With all the scary media headlines about toxic substances in everyday products, it's only reasonable to question if the ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products are to be considered safe. Is the formaldehyde in nail polish safe? And what about sulfates in shampoo and parabens?

Potentially Harmful Chemicals Can Be Found In Many Cosmetic Products

It can feel upsetting, and more than a little unnerving, to learn of all the toxins we may expose ourselves while applying cosmetics. To help you understand this, and substitute your fear for some healthy skepticism, we've taken an inside look at some of the fundamental ingredients you often hear about in cosmetic products and investigated the science behind it.

Chemicals and contaminants linked to cancer can be found in food, water, and many other everyday products. However, no class of consumer products is subject to less government oversight than cosmetics and other personal care products. Although many of the chemicals and contaminants in cosmetics and personal care products likely present little risk, exposure to some has been linked to serious health problems, including cancer.

Most Common Chemicals That Are Best To Avoid

Since 2009, 595 cosmetics manufacturers have reported using 88 chemicals, in more than 73,000 products, that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, or reproductive impairment.

Many of these chemicals should definitely be outlawed from cosmetics. Among the toxic chemicals that should be banned are:

• Quaternium 15, proven to release formaldehyde when metabolized.

• Mercury, which can damage the kidneys and nervous system.

• Dibutyl and diethylhexyl phthalates, which disrupt hormones and damage the reproductive system.

• Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

• Paraformaldehyde, a type of formaldehyde.

• M- and o-phenylenediamine, used in hair dyes, which irritate and sensitize the skin, damage DNA and can cause cancer.

• Methylene glycol, a type of formaldehyde.

• Isobutyl and isopropyl parabens, which disrupt hormones and harm the reproductive system.

• The long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS, which have been linked to cancer.

Consumers overwhelmingly back federal oversight of cosmetic chemicals. By some polls, two-thirds of consumers believe chemicals in cosmetics are already reviewed by the FDA. Three-fourths of consumers support stricter oversight of chemicals in cosmetics, and nearly nine out of ten consider stricter rules to be extremely important.

In addition, nine in ten consumers believe cosmetic companies should have to notify the FDA if their products harm consumers; support giving the FDA mandatory recall authority, and support rules ensuring cosmetics are produced in clean environments.

H&B’s Partner Beautycounter Is Determined To Bring Harmless Cosmetics To The Public

We at H&B and our founder Dr. Shyamali Singhal have always strongly felt that we should pay more attention to this topic. This is why we joyfully started our cooperation with Beautycounter. Beautycounter advocates for stricter guidelines and regulations to shift the personal-care industry away from using harmful and questionable ingredients. More than 1,800 ingredients are never used in their formulations. They refer to this list as The Never List, and you can expect them to go above and beyond to test every ingredient against the highest standards in pursuit of clean beauty.

Clean has always been Beautycounter’s thing and every year they aim to do better. 

Beautycounter is leading a transition to a future where all beauty is clean beauty. Their motto, so very well aligned with H&B’s goals, is: beauty should be good for you.

Take Care Of Your Body- It’s The Only One You Got

It's very difficult to evade each and every single synthetic chemical, but you can do your part in limiting the number of toxins your body is exposed to. Make sure to eat clean, avoid chemical-laden processed foods, drink lots of water, and search for products that are certified organic if you want to avoid these toxic chemicals.

H&B pleads with you, to educate yourself and do your research before you buy any cosmetics. Think of something you unquestionably love, and the time and energy you implement to it. Use the same approach, when it comes to choices that affect your health. We all have just this one life to live and one body to live it in. Take care of it.