What do conventional cosmetics contain?

It seems obvious that eating healthy improves our quality of life and affects our health prognosis. But sometimes it goes unnoticed that it is just as important to be concerned about what we put on our skin as what we ingest. It is of no use to feed ourselves with organic and bio products when we do not pay attention to what we put on our skin.

The cosmetic industry uses an endless number of toxic substances that are absorbed through the skin and reach the bloodstream. Their continuous exposure or use has harmful effects on health. Some of these substances are parabens, synthetic perfumes, petroleum derivatives, or formaldehyde. To identify them on labels, it is important to know how the INCI or International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients works. In them, the different components of a cosmetic are listed according to their concentration in decreasing order.

At Herbera Biocosmética, all our ingredients are of natural origin and most of them come from organic farming, free of chemicals.

CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS CONTROVERSIAL FOR THEIR EFFECTS ON HEALTH:

PARABENS

Parabens are widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. These compounds are used mainly for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties.

They have been identified in various studies as an estrogenic culprit in disrupting hormonal function (endocrine disruptors), accelerating the growth of breast cancer. Harvey, et al. (2004).

We can identify them on labels as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, butylparaben, and alkyl parahydroxybenzoate.

PETROLEUM DERIVATIVES: LIQUID PARAFFIN, WAXES, AND MINERAL OILS

Petroleum derivatives are used as a base for ointments and creams because they are very cheap for the cosmetic industry and, furthermore, the skin looks smooth and silky when freshly applied. What happens is that petroleum jelly and mineral oils clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing, extract moisture from the skin, and end up drying it out. They also prevent the elimination of toxins, leading to the appearance of acne or dermatitis problems with their use.

In the INCI, we can detect them under the names: mineral oil, paraffinum, petrolatum, paraffinum liquidum, ozokerite, vaseline, etc.

PHTHALATES

Phthalates (appearing on labels as DEP, diethyl phthalate) are a group of chemical compounds used as plasticizers (substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility).

In cosmetics, we find them in creams, nail polishes, perfumes, hair sprays, and deodorants. In the body, they can interfere with the endocrine system by stimulating, blocking, or neutralizing the physiological reactions in which hormones are involved (endocrine disruptors) with the consequences derived from this. Specifically, phthalates are linked to damage to the reproductive and endocrine systems (Gray, L.E. et al., 1999) as well as an increased risk of suffering from asthma and cancer.

This is at least stated in some studies, for example, the one conducted in 2004 by a Swedish-Danish research team that found a great relationship between allergies in children and the phthalates DEHP and BBzP, and the one conducted by the University of Rochester (United States) which points out that exposure to these substances is also linked to a high risk of genital anomalies in male babies (Lottrup G, et al., 2006). Other studies have shown that in large quantities they are toxic to the kidneys, liver, and lungs.

FORMALDEHYDE:

It is used as a preservative in the formulation of cosmetics and shampoos. It is carcinogenic and you can identify it on labels under the names: quaternium-15, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, tris(hydroxymethyl)-nitromethane, and 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane.

In 2004, the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared that formaldehyde is carcinogenic to humans. (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans: Formaldehyde, 2-Butoxyethanol and I-tert-Butoxy-2-propanol -Vol. 88, 2-9 June 2004).

Low levels can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. People who suffer from asthma are probably more susceptible to the effects of inhaling formaldehyde.

TRICLOSAN

Triclosan is a potent antibacterial and fungicidal agent. It is present in many cosmetic products (soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, etc.). It has been associated with contact dermatitis, or skin irritation (Durbize E. et al. 2003; Strer E., et al. 2004; Wong, C.M. et al. 2001; Perrenoud D. et al. 1994), photoallergic contact dermatitis (Durbize, 2003), and immunotoxic and neurotoxic reactions (Stafford J., 1997).

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE

It is an ionic surfactant compound, used as a cleaning agent for its foaming properties in various personal hygiene products, such as toothpaste, shampoo, and bath soaps.

Its acute toxicity effects include irritation of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, upper respiratory tract, and stomach.

DIETHANOLAMINE

(DEA, diethanolamine). Used as is or in the form of various derivatives, as an emulsifier or foaming agent. Carcinogenic.

SYNTHETIC PERFUMES

They are not only the cause of most of the irritations and allergic reactions produced by cosmetics. Also, due to sun exposure, they are the cause of many of the spots that appear on the skin.

BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE (BHA) and BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE (BHT)

These are preservatives and antioxidants widely used in the cosmetic industry. Both substances can cause allergic reactions, interfere with hormonal functions, and promote the growth of tumors.

These substances and many others derived from the chemical industry are found in breast milk and placentas, which indicates their uncontrolled use. In addition, we warn that until now, existing studies have analyzed the short- and long-term effects of the continued use of each of these chemical substances (which, although studies guarantee their toxicity, the chemical industry defends their use). But we still do not know the risks we run by being exposed to several of these substances at the same time.

The effects of these substances can cause irreversible damage to the body and may not manifest until adulthood, but their continued exposure or use makes no sense when they can be replaced by others that do not compromise our health.

Identify these toxic substances on your cosmetic labels and do not consume them. Choose natural and safe substances for you and yours.