*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
Before proceeding to the analysis of the components of cosmetics, we briefly list the features of reading the composition:
The list of composition and the names of the components can be written using the Latin script. However, certified products from abroad usually have a sticker with information in Russian, which allows you to better understand the composition.
The ingredients in the composition list are listed sequentially, starting with the element that is more numerous in the cosmetic product than the rest. Then the next ingredient in terms of volume is mentioned, then the third, and so on. Thus, elements are mentioned whose density in the composition is 1% or more. The order of listing the remaining components does not depend on their number and depends on the preferences of the manufacturer. However, even if some useful substances are at the end of the list, this does not mean that cosmetics are of low efficiency. It’s just that some components have different working concentrations. Sometimes the presence of 0,1 or 0,5% of the substance is enough for the product to perform its function perfectly.
The composition may not mention components whose formula is classified and is a trade secret of the manufacturer. This applies, for example, to synthetic fragrances and fragrances, the names of which are not indicated. The packaging only says “perfume composition” or “perfume”. The consumer will not even know that this inscription hides a set of chemicals that are potentially hazardous to health.
The composition may not contain the original names of harmful components, but their little-known synonyms. Some manufacturers are even more cunning – they indicate the names of mixtures or combinations of substances, without mentioning that such mixtures also include potentially dangerous ingredients. For example, instead of listing the parabens used in the composition list, the manufacturer indicates that it contains nipalgin or nipazole. Few users know that this is a potentially unhealthy combination of synthetic elements.
When studying the list of components that make up cosmetics, you should beware of the substances that will be listed and described below.
Dangerous cosmetic ingredients
Let’s start the list of dangerous or harmful ingredients in cosmetics with powerful cleaners – surfactants. Surfactants in the composition are harmful because they can seep into the bloodstream, accumulate in the internal organs. Negative external action – the ability to cause irritation of the epithelial layer and mucous membranes. Due to the negative properties of these elements, a person may experience hypersensitivity to cosmetics, allergies, and besides, they pollute the environment by getting into water and soil. The main representatives of surfactants that are used most often are SLS and SLES. In composition, they may also be referred to as sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate.
Let’s move on to such potentially dangerous cosmetic ingredients as petroleum products. In the composition, they can be indicated as follows – Mineral oil, Petrolatum, Solyd oil, Ceresin, Parafin oil, Parafinium liquidum, Microcrystalline wax, Propylene glycol, PEG, PPG. All this is technical and solid oil, petroleum jelly and synthetic wax, paraffin, propylene glycol. Most of these substances have a high molecular weight, so they do not penetrate the protective barrier of the skin, covering it with an impenetrable film that is difficult to wash off. As a result, the skin stops breathing, its excretory function is disturbed. Propylene glycol has a low molecular weight, so this harmful component penetrates into the deep layers of the epidermis and causes even more damage, integrating into the processes taking place there.
Harm the skin and a variety of moisturizing ingredients, such as glycerin. At first glance, this substance may seem harmless and even useful, because it helps to increase the moisture level of the epidermis. Glycerin really attracts moisture molecules in the air. But this happens only when the ambient humidity level is 65% or more. Otherwise, glycerin begins to draw fluid from the deep layers of the skin, contributing to increased dryness of the tissues.
A lot of controversy goes around such relatively harmful components of the composition of cosmetics as chemical preservatives – parabens. They can be labeled as E218 and E219. In general, all “yes” from 200 to 290 are synthetic preservatives. The harm they cause is manifested in the fact that they have an estrogen-like effect, can stimulate the development of malignant tumors, oncological pathologies, enhance the effect of solar radiation, and can cause severe irritation of the epidermis or an allergic reaction. It is also believed that parabens accumulate in tissues and can cause mutations and damage to the structure of cells and the genetic code.
In addition to these substances, manufacturers can also use more dangerous, toxic preservatives that can cause the development of malignant tumors – this is formaldehyde (practically not used in modern cosmetics, as it is prohibited), formalin and formaldehyde releasers.
Safer, but still not very useful for the body, is the use of various alcohols as preservatives. They dry tissues, contribute to the violation of the hydro-lipid balance, irritate the nerve receptors of the epidermal layer. Some alcohols have strong toxic and carcinogenic properties. In the composition of alcohols can be indicated as alcohol (Alcohol), ethanol (Ethanol), ethyl alcohol (Ethyl alcohol) and various combinations of these words. And also Isopropanol, Phenonip, Phenoxethol, Phenoxyethanol, Arosol. Fatty alcohols labeled as Alcohol Cetyl, Alcohol Cetearyl, Alcohol Stearyl (the most expensive and harmless component), Alcohol Behenyl, Alcohol Arachidyl, Alcohol Myristyl, Alcohol Lanolin are the safest for the body.
The next group of harmful components of the composition of cosmetics is silicones. There are many types of them, which can be divided into several groups:
Water-soluble silicones, for example, Hydroxypropyl, Polysiloxane.
Silicone oils that do not dissolve in water, such as Amodimethicone.
Encapsulated and amino functional silicones such as Cyclopentasiloxane or Succinoglycan Gum.
Silicones of any type create the appearance of beauty in hair or skin, while at the same time causing great harm to the body. These substances are very difficult to wash off, they can accumulate in the body or cover the skin, hair shafts with a strong impermeable film that prevents tissues from breathing and receiving useful substances from external sources.
Also, harmful components of the composition of cosmetics are:
Artificial fragrances, fragrances, perfume compositions are potential irritants and allergens.
Talc, which in many users clogs pores and can cause acne, comedones.
Aluminum – the substance has pronounced estrogen-like properties.
Useful ingredients of the composition of cosmetics
Modern decorative and care cosmetics can contain a large number of various useful components. Let’s start with the most popular – with hyaluronic acid. This unique substance, when it enters the deep layers of the epidermis, it not only normalizes the level of moisture, but also improves the production of its own HA, as well as the synthesis of elastin and collagen. However, it is important that low molecular weight hyaluronic acid is used in the cosmetic formula. Otherwise, it will simply remain on the surface of the skin, create an impenetrable film and will not bring any benefit.
The composition of cosmetics may also contain the following useful substances:
Vitamins and their derivatives. This, for example, retinol (including Retinyl palmitate, or acetate, linoleate); ascorbic acid (Ascorbic acid and other combinations); tocopherol or vitamin E (Tocopherol). They have many beneficial properties – antioxidant, protective, stimulating, regenerative, etc.
Peptides (indicated as Peptide or phrases with this particle). Peptides act like collagen and elastin, however, they have a lower molecular weight, due to which they perfectly penetrate the epidermal layer and contribute to an increase in skin turgor.
Arbutin and niacinamide (Arbutin, Niacinamide) are useful components that are included in the composition of cosmetics designed to eliminate and prevent hyperpigmentation. They regulate the function of the pigments responsible for the production of melanin. The use of such products will help get rid of dark spots on the skin, from unwanted freckles.
Panthenol (Panthenol) is a very useful component that helps moisturize, soften and restore tissues, has wound healing properties.
Natural vegetable oils, infusions, extracts, extracts from useful and even medicinal plants. Each substance has its own properties and significantly improves the condition of the skin and hair within 2-3 weeks after the start of the use of cosmetics.
Natural minerals obtained from rocks or thermal water relieve inflammation and irritation, nourish the epidermis, normalize its acid-base balance, absorb excess sebum and act as physical filters that reflect harmful ultraviolet rays.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are listed as EFA or Essential Fatty Acids in the composition list. The benefits of these substances for skin and hair can hardly be overestimated, as they have a complex positive effect on tissues, healing, protecting and restoring them.
Cosmetic clay or kaolin is a real storehouse of mineral salts and trace elements, has antiseptic, restorative and anti-inflammatory properties, absorbs excess sebum.
If you see zinc (Zinc) and salicylic acid (BHA) in cosmetics, then this drug is perfect for oily, combination and problem skin.
In order to find out what harmful and beneficial ingredients are contained in cosmetics, check its composition using one of the online services. It is free and does not take much time, the service will analyze all the substances from the composition list, give them an assessment, and also inform you how natural and safe the cosmetic product is. And if you use eco-cosmetics, then you don’t have to worry about the composition at all, although it still doesn’t hurt to check it once again. If the packaging contains labels such as BDIH, ICEA, Ecocert, NaTrue, then the likelihood that the product will contain harmful or potentially hazardous components is very low.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.