5 toxins from cosmetics that can damage your skin?
Daily, we use different cosmetic products for cleaning, make-up or disinfection. However, some of them may contain substances that are being studied for possible negative effects on health of Cosmetic.
Have you looked at the ingredients of the products you use daily on your body? You must know some of the toxins in cosmetics that could damage your skin and even harm your health in general.
Parables, sulfates, lead, triclosan, or phthalates are some of the most common. We explain why they are harmful so you can avoid them. It is not worth taking risks if we can choose other healthier products.
- Parables
Cosmetic products
Parables are substances used as preservatives in a large number of daily-use products.
Parables are the preservatives that are added to most cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial products. Studies have been carried out for years to verify the damaging effects on the skin and its possible involvement in breast cancer, due to its estrogenic properties.
However, there is still a lack of evidence to regulate its use. Some studies specify that the risk would be important if the exposure to these chemical substances were daily. However, the increasingly common presence of parables in a wide range of products, including food, favors this constant contact.
- Sulfates
Among the different sulfates, we highlight sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a common surfactant that acts as a cleaning agent. However, this compound penetrates the skin and causes dryness and skin irritation depending on the concentration.
However, regarding criticism of its relationship with cancer, no scientific evidence has been found. But it is also true that long-term studies on the effects of its continued application on the skin are lacking some milder sulfates that are being applied as less harmful substitutes, such as ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) or sodium Laurent sulfate (SLES).
Also read: Why do natural shampoos make our hair drier?
- Toxic metals in cosmetics: Lead
Woman painting her lips red
Especially in lipsticks, lead is one of the most representative elements with possible health implications.
The Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA in its acronym in English) analyzes to determine the levels of lead present in lipsticks and other cosmetics. Among them were well-known brands.
Based on this analysis, a maximum amount of lead was determined in these products, and measures were taken to eliminate those products that could be unsafe for health. It concluded that up to 10 ppm of lead in these products would not pose a significant risk.
However, it should be noted that the analysis takes into account the external application of these cosmetics. However, in the case of lipstick, the part that the person ingests accidentally is not considered.
- Triclosan
Triclosan (TCS) is a common antimicrobial ingredient in deodorants and cleaning products such as disinfectants. To a lesser extent, it can also be in toothpaste and mouthwashes.
This compound is easily absorbed through the skin and mucosa it has been detected in urine and even in breast milk, and its continued exposure is related to allergies, asthma, cardiovascular disorders, endocrine and reproductive problems, and the development of some types of cancer.
Also read: How to moisturize the skin with natural products
- Phthalates
Woman catching cream
These types of compounds affect the endocrine system and are being studied for their influence on fertility.
Phthalates are multifunctional chemical compounds used in a wide variety of consumer products, including cosmetic and personal care products, including baby products. In addition, they are part of many plastic containers. Therefore, we have direct and frequent contact with them.
Phthalates are associated with serious health problems, such as infertility, obesity, asthma, allergies, or breast cancer. Although some studies show non-significant alterations, they do not take into account how these would evolve in the long term, as they state.
Summary on Toxins in Cosmetics
As we have seen, it is difficult to find consensus among these studies, since some show the safety of these components while others warn of health risks. In any case, we are increasingly exposed to this type of substance, something that only
