Reading labels and checking the composition is justified not only in the case of food products. Cosmetics, which, according to manufacturers, are supposed to give us beauty and health, often contain very harmful substances that can harm not only humans, but also the environment. Below is a list of ingredients to avoid!
It is known that cosmetic products consist mainly of chemicals. We often have no idea what some abbreviations and foreign-sounding words mean. Although, according to the law, cosmetics cannot contain harmful substances, it is allowed to use to a small extent those whose effects scientists have some doubts about.
- Aluminium, or aluminium chlorohydrate – accumulates in skin tissues, adversely affects the immune system. It can also damage other systems. You will find it primarily in deodorant, because it inhibits sweating.
- Lanolin, that is lanolin – its action can cause allergies and lead to irritation. It is found in hair products, ointments and creams. It is obtained from the secretion of the sebaceous glands of sheep.
- SLS – can irritate and dry the skin, long-term use leads to itching, eczema or contact eczema (due to abrasion of the lipid layer of the epidermis). It can cause hair loss, as it weakens the hair follicles, and also disturbs the secretion of sweat and sebum. More interestingly, it is found in shampoos, gels and shower soaps, and its function is that the product foams … which, paradoxically, has no major effect on the operation of the other ingredients of the product, and as you can see, it can be harmful to the body.
- Silicone oils, or dimethicone, dimethiconol cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, lauryl methicone copolyol – also have no effect on the composition. Their task is to make the product spread well on the skin or hair. They give the impression of smooth skin and hair. Their impact after prolonged use has not been tested, it is only known that the body does not excrete silicones. They are found, for example, in shampoos, conditioners, balms and creams.
- Parabens – one of the most common causes of allergies. They also make the skin more sensitive to damage from external factors. Added to many products.
- SLES – contains an ingredient listed as “possibly carcinogenic”. More gentle than SLS, but can also lead to irritation.
- Mineral oilsi.e. mineral oil, paraffin, paraffin oil, paraffinum oil, petrolatum, paraffinum liquidum, vaselinum flavum, paraffinum liquidum, etc. – a filler that increases the volume of the cosmetic. They can cause blackheads because they are not absorbed, but stay on the skin.
- formaldehyde, czyli formalin, methylene, methanal, morbicidacid – can cause rashes and college. It is classified as a potentially carcinogenic substance.
- EDTA – extends the durability of cosmetics. May cause coughing, allergic reactions, conjunctivitis, binds metals.
- PEG, PPG – they are used to achieve the right consistency of the cosmetic. They probably damage the genetic structure of cells, soften the skin and weaken the lipid barrier.