Chemicals in Cosmetics

Worried about chemicals in cosmetics, skin care products, and bath products? How do you decide whether a cosmetic or beauty product is safe?

Although the ingredient lists of most packaged foods can be quite horrifying, the ingredients in conventional cosmetics are often worse - filled with long lists of chemicals with un-pronouncable names. This is because cosmetics are not regulated as strictly by the FDA as foods are.

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What You Need to Know

There is an enormous amount of public information available about the many dangerous chemicals in cosmetics, and it can be overwhelming and hard to sort through. Here are some of the most important things you should know:

• 60 - 70 percent of what you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body.


• The FDA only requires irritancy tests on beauty products - there is no testing for long-term effects.


• A large percentage of the major commercial beauty product companies use animals to test for irritancy. These animals are often tortured and maimed in the process.


• Cosmetics manufacturers are not required to register with the FDA.


• Many of the chemicals found in every-day cosmetics are carcinogenic.


• Only about 10 percent of the ingredients in cosmetics have actually been tested for safety.


• Some estimates say that women absorb over 2 pounds of toxic substances through their makeup and skin products every year!

So even if you are not vegan, you might want to use vegan cosmetics and skin care products just to avoid the hazaradous substances in most beauty products. The manufacturers of conventional cosmetics argue that the toxic content of their products is negligible, but if you are exposed to the chemicals in cosmetics every day over many years, it builds up.

What to Avoid

Parabens - Parabens in cosmetics and processed foods are used as preservatives. Although parabens can be found naturally in many plants, those used in consumer products are made synthetically. Parabens have the potential to behave in a way that is similar to estrogen. This disrupts the endocrine system and can cause an increased risk of breast cancer.

Petrochemicals - Found in most cosmetics, these are chemicals that are derived from petroleum and are suspected to be toxic to brain, heart, lungs and the immune system. You may see petrochemicals listed with names like petroleum distillates, isoparaffins, or propylene glycol.

Phthalates - These petrochemicals are used to soften plastics, they are also added to hairsprays, perfumes, and mascaras. Recent studies indicate that even low doses of phthalates can increase the risk of development problems for male babies in utero. Almost a billion pounds per year are produced, which contributes to air and water contamination. Yuck!

FD&C Colors - This is a carcinogenic coal tar derivative used for color in mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner and nail polish.

Fortunately, the organic and vegan cosmetics industry is growing very rapidly. There is now a much greater variety and selection of products that are non-toxic, cruelty-free, and organic.

Click here for more information about vegan cosmetics.

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