Many of the chemicals used today in various skincare and cosmetic products have negative effects for your skin and your health.
Here is a list of the top chemicals to avoid.
Parabens
Parabens are used as chemical preservatives in many personal care products such as moisturizers, shampoos, foundations and many more.
Two different school of though: Some say that excessive amount of exposure to parabens may lead to breast cancer, but some argue that daily cosmetic exposure to parabens does not cause you any harm. If you would like to exercise caution, you can definitely find many products without parabens.
Sulfates
One of the ingredients that is widely disputed whether it is safe to use or not. We all are most likely in contact with sulfates on a daily basis. Sulfates are also found in variety of products from toothpaste to cleansers to also help with foaming. The ones that are used most commonly are sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). Sulfates are known to strip away valuable moisture and protective barriers, irritating the skin more. I some cases can cause cancer when combined with other substances or is heated.
Phthalates
Phthalates are used in cosmetics as lubricants (softeners) in products such as nail polish, moisturizers, shampoos, hair sprays, toys, detergents, and other variety of products. They are known to be endocrine disruptors that is linked to breast cancer and reproductive birth defects in males and females. Phthalates is also known to have some possible effects on hormones.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas used as preservatives in skincare and cosmetics such as nail polish, makeup, lotions, and deodorants among many other products. Short term exposure can cause skin irritation, difficulty in breathing, watery eyes and burning in the nose when inhaled.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.
Phenoxyethanol
Used as an anti-bacterial in cosmetics and stabilizer in perfumes, phenoxyethanol is actually very harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through skin, especially to nursing mothers or infants. Phenoxyethanol can have an effect on the brain and the central nervous system. It irritates skin and eyes, and can cause blistering on skin as well.
PEG
PEG (polyethylene glycols) compounds are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners and softeners. It also functions as absorption enhancer which allows both good and bad ingredients to be absorbed faster into deeper parts of skin. If used on broken or damaged skin, it can cause irritation and accumulate toxicity. In addition, PEGs can reduce the skin’s moisture levels and speed up skin aging.
Soooo…
You are the one deciding to use products that include these chemicals or not.
The supposed benefits in keeping the product from going bad, doesn’t compensate the potentially harmful effects in your health and the health of your family. You should look carefully at the labels and use products with right natural and organic ingredients. Be wise, think, and know what’s best for your skin!
Get to know l’Eden Age Defying… we don’t use any of these substances into our formulas so you not only can stay younger… you can also stay healthier by not using harmful substances.
