Are you sure that you know which ingredients in cosmetics are worth to beware of? Do you want to enjoy good health, beautiful skin and great mood? Choose only natural cosmetics and carefully read the composition of such products.
In principle, all cosmetics ingredients should be safe. However, there are some that are harmful. They may be banned in cosmetics sold in Europe, but allowed in cosmetics on other continents. It also happens that some ingredients are considered dangerous and withdrawn from products on one continent, but still the manufacturer (mostly a huge corporation) sells cosmetics with such composition on another. Sometimes it’s difficult to find out which ingredients in cosmetics are undesirable. Therefore, this texts is here to help you to pay attention to such ingredients that should be avoided. I assume that if you are on this website and read our blog, you truly care about a healthy lifestyle and living in harmony with nature. So this text is for you.
An example of such a controversial substance is sodium fluoride. Did you know that sodium fluoride – as a non-biodegradable toxic substance – was a poison and a known insecticide until 1945 in the USA, and today it’s an ingredient in many toothpastes and a substance advertised as protecting teeth from decay? It’s worth considering if we want this ingredient to be included in our toothpaste. Nowadays there are many toothpastes with natural ingredients so maybe it’s worth to reach for one of them.
Controversial ingredients in cosmetics – Can they be harmful to skin and health?
Aluminum – Aluminum used in cosmetics has been proven to cause changes in cells. There’s a belief that it can cause breast cancer, as more aluminum has been discovered in breasts than in serosity. There is also a connection between cellular changes and breast cancer growth statistics.
Parabens – the most common preservatives in cosmetics. They prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in cosmetics. They are esters, which are used by cosmetic manufacturers in order to extend the expiry date of a cosmetic. Methylparaben or propylparaben are some examples of controversial parabens that you can find in cosmetics. Their use is legal by law and they are recognized in statutory documents as safe. However, it has been proven that parabens included in cosmetics adversely affect the endocrine system. They can disrupt the hormonal balance, and yet today we know that hormone-related diseases are very common, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. What’s more, parabens cause allergic reaction.
Formaldehyde – a very poisonous insecticide and preservative that prolongs the effect of cosmetics. By law, it can be used in oral care products, but its concentration cannot exceed 0.10%. It’s a component of many nail polishes, body care products, deodorants, hair styling products. If you want to avoid it in cosmetics, choose only the natural ones. It causes premature aging of the skin and irritates the respiratory tract, cause redness and acne. Are you aware that it has been classified as a carcinogen since 2004?
Silicones – Have you ever wondered why, after using shampoo, your hair is suddenly smooth even though it wasn’t so before? Silicones are the reason . These are synthetic substances that are common ingredients in shampoos and hair conditioners. Silicones are also found in face creams. They are used to give you the impression of smooth hair and skin after the application of a cosmetic product. Remember that natural hair care products don’t contain silicones. You have to know that silicones don’t have any nourishing or caring properties and don’t support the regeneration process. Due to moisture and heat the skin becomes firmer but this process adversely affects the natural processes underneath the skin layer. Hair and skin may lack moisture and therefore, be prone to dryness and dandruff! Choose natural face creams, such as reishi cream which is designed to firm the skin in a completely natural way.
Antioxidants – are also preservatives. Gallate is a synthetic antioxidant that – like other dodecyl or octly gallates – can cause skin allergies and irritation. These are especially dangerous for people suffering from asthma. BHT and BHA also cause allergies.
SLS and SLES – common surfactants that cause skin irritation. Sodium Lauryn Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate can be found in many well-known cosmetics, such as shampoos, shower gels, coloring products, toothpaste, color cosmetics for makeup. SLS and SLES can enter into strong chemical reactions with other substances and become dangerous to health. Numerous tests with these agents only confirm that SLS and SLES irritate the skin and can cause many skin allergies. Natural hair shampoos don’t contain SLS and SLES. A study conducted at Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University in New York confirmed that SLS washes out the oral epithelium and causes burning. SLS negatively affects the skin because it destroys the skin’s protective layer. Most frighteningly, studies have shown that even a small dose of SLS damages the natural barrier of human skin.
Mineral oils – although their name sounds quite natural, they are completely chemical. They are made from processed crude oil. They are characterized by strong lubricating properties. Mineral oil is petroleum jelly and paraffin wax, which are often the basis of popular cosmetics, including face creams, body lotions from the range of large brands. So it’s worth reading which ingredients are included in the cosmetics that you use.
Paraffin – it’s an artificially produced substance, often made from cheap petroleum. Paraffin doesn’t contain vitamins, nutrients, fatty acids or valuable microelements. It’s known under such names as cerezine, diisopropyl adipate, mineral spirit, paraffin oil, synthetic, mineral and microcrystalline wax. It inhibits the natural processes occurring inside the skin. For cosmetic manufacturers, it’s simply a low-cost substitute for vegetable oils. Did you know that the human body cannot process paraffin wax because it’s not biodegradable? Paraffin creates a layer on the surface of the skin that doesn’t allow water to pass through. As a result, paraffin is unable to deeply moisturize the other layers of skin and only gives the illusion of superficial moisture. Your skin is unable to rinse it off completely during your skin-care routine. Paraffin is a substance that adversely affects the environment. Paraffin prevents the skin from regenerating itself and – when used regularly – damages its natural properties.
Be aware and read the ingredients
So what to remember when choosing cosmetics? Carefully read the ingredients and analyze each of them! Remember that some preservatives are used in cosmetics to extend their shelf life and it’s allowed by law. However, before you reach for cosmetics that tempt you with low prices – think about your health and choose only natural ones, such as Orientana’s cosmetics. They are not only free from harmful chemicals, but also composed of the ingredients of the highest quality. By using them you can be sure that you take care of your skin safely.
