12 Ingredients To Avoid In Cosmetics Because They Are Harmful
Cosmetics are items that we use every day and, unless they cause irritation or an allergic reaction, we rarely stop to check the ingredients.
We choose these types of products because of the color, smell, price or any other reason that has to do with taste, but we must start checking the labels and know What ingredients should be avoided in cosmetics
Some chemical components of cosmetics are so aggressive that they have been banned in some countries, but in many others they are still on the market and you have to be aware of them to avoid buying products that include these components.
Regardless of the price of the cosmetic products on the market, many include, to a lesser or greater extent, some of these chemicals that we should avoid applying to our skin since some have proven damage with continuous use and in some cases it has been shown that they could promote the appearance of cancer.
1. Parabens
They are used as preservatives as they serve to keep bacteria away. They are very cheap to produce, which is why many cosmetic brands use them.
However, parabens cause alterations in the body’s hormonal functions which is known as an endocrine discrutor, which is why they have been banned in France and Denmark.
It is for this reason that parabens are one of the ingredients to avoid in cosmetics.
2. Diethanolamine
DEA, MEA and TEA are compounds that found in soap products and cause, among other things, delayed hair growth.
They are widely used so that products acquire a creamier texture or are more foamy; some sensitive people show irritability in their skin and eyes. The worst risk posed by these three compounds is that Added to other components they enhance the carcinogenic effects (even though the danger is not very high).
If any of these ingredients appear on the label, it is a cosmetic product to avoid.
3. Siloxanes
Siloxane is used to soften and soften cosmetic products. Although there is no definitive study, it is suspected that they alter hormonal functions and cause liver toxicity
If your beauty products read Cyclomethicone or a compound that ends in “siloxane” on the label, then that product contains ingredients that are best avoided in your usual care or beauty treatments.
4. Aluminum
Aluminum is used in antiperspirant deodorants , and it has been linked to the appearance of breast cancer. Unfortunately, it is very common to find it in any brand of deodorant even though it is a harmful ingredient that should be avoided.
5. Lead
That’s how it is, many lipsticks contain lead Although the amount they contain is very small, the truth is that the body absorbs it and if we think that lipsticks are products that are used very frequently, we can realize that we have been very exposed to lead.
The recommendation is to check the lipstick label and if it has lead, discard that cosmetic product, as it is harmful.
6. Ammonia
Although this ingredient is one of the least aggressive of the long list of harmful ingredients in cosmetics, ammonia causes scalp problems
It is widely used in dyes and is contraindicated for people who suffer from seborrheic dermatitis or eczema on the scalp.
7. Polyethylgenglycol (PEG) Compound
This ingredient is used for cream bases and has been found relationship with damage to the nervous system
If the label reads ingredients such as “ethyl” or “glycol”, then it is a product that contains harmful compounds.
8. Silicones
They are mainly found in makeup , but many shampoos and conditioners also contain them. They are not toxic, but prolonged use damages our skin, scalp and hair surface.
These types of compounds are considered harmful ingredients in beauty products because they permeate the skin and hair, causing them to stop “breathing” so at first you may feel that the appearance improves, with the passage of time they damage it, leaving it worse.
9. Formaldehydes
Chemically they are one of the simplest aldehydes that exist. They are flammable volatiles and are used in cosmetics to set nail lacquers and body lotions.
It is highly allergenic, but what is really alarming is that the WHO considers it a harmful ingredient that can cause cancer. Formaldehydes are one of the harmful ingredients contained in cosmetics that should definitely be avoided.
10. Phthalate
Its greatest harmful characteristic is that it has been shown that acting together with other chemical components can favor the appearance of genetic mutations and affect the function of hormones, causing reproductive problems
At some point it worked as a substitute for formaldehydes, since it was also used to fix nail varnish lacquer However, given these discoveries, it is best to check if the label contains phthalate as a cosmetic ingredient and if so, avoid its use.
11. Pfelendiamine
It is a compound derived from anilines. It is used by its ability to give color and its low cost so it is commonly found in hair dye. It appears as CI and a 5-number code.
This ingredient is harmful in beauty products because in addition to causing irritation, allergic asthma reactions have been demonstrated and, being a compound derived from coal tar, it is highly carcinogenic.
12. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
It is used as a foaming cleansing agent, and is commonly used even though it is known to cause cancer.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a harmful component in cosmetics, so since it is found on the label, it is best not to use it.
