Every day women wake up and start their morning routines of slathering on moisturizer and makeup without giving their routines a second thought. Due to the lack of regulation the Food and Drug Administration has over cosmetics companies, every woman should be thinking about what is in her cosmetics. Photo Credit
Three Toxins to Watch Out For:
- Parabens are synthetic chemicals used as preservatives in a wide variety of personal care products including: makeup, moisturizers, and hair care products. Parabens have been linked to certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. The FDA does require products to include parabens in the list of ingredients. The most common parabens used are methylparaben, propylparaben, isoparaben, or butylparaben. If you feel uncomfortable using products with these ingredients listed you can seek out cosmetic companies that vow to make paraben free products.
- In a 2007 study the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that 61% of 33 brand name lipsticks contain detectable levels of lead. In the CSC’s study it explains that lead is dangerous because it can build up in the body and can cause learning, language, and behavioral problems.
- Nail polish toxins: Due to public pressure several big names in the nail polish industry have begun to remove toxins from their products. These toxins include dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde, and toluene, which have been linked to cancer and birth defects. Make sure the polishes you use are on the safe list.
Take action!
It might be shocking to find out that a product you have become comfortable with is actually unsafe. But you don’t have to sit back and let companies continue to take advantage of you. The CSC provides ideas to stop cosmetics companies from getting away with including harmful chemicals in their products, and have a list of more than 1,000 companies that have declared to make cosmetics safer with the Compact for Safe Cosmetics project. Where do you stand in the debate for safe cosmetics?
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