Have you ever heard the words: sulphates, parabens, and Formaldehyde? These toxins are commonly known as the ‘’Dirty Dozen’’ and include: parfum, BHA & BHT, Dibutyl Phthalate and Triclosan.
So have a look at your beauty cupboard and check all the products you currently own, to see if they include any of these ingredients – and throw them away! Remember that what you put on your skin, will also absorbed into your body (given that your skin is the body’s’ largest organ).
But WHY are they toxic – what can happen to you if you use them? We will explore the top ingredients commonly found in cosmetics and how they can affect your health and your skin.
PARABENS (METHYLPARABEN OR ANY OTHER INGREDIENT ENDING WITH THE WORD PARABEN)
These are notoriously known to be carcinogenic. They have been found to enter your skin and act as estrogen, which can lead to increased cell growth, and in term issues such as breast cancer.
SULPHATES ( SODIUM SULFATE)
Sadly, sulphates are in so many products nowadays as they are used for lathering up soap. However, they can also cause skin allergic reactions and drying of the skin. It is particularly bad for your hair and skin, as it strips it of its natural oils.
FORMALDEHYDE GAS (FORMOLIN)
This gas is used in countless products. From nail polish, to hairspray and shampoos. But did you know that it can sometimes cause the onset of asthma in some consumers.
HYDROQUINONE
This chemical is often found in skin lightening products, as it is often used to treat pigmentation from acne, sun damage or age spots. Unfortunately, prolonged use can lead to over whitening of the skin since it works to reduce the melanin pigment producing cells in our body. This in turn, can lead to possibility of cancer due to unusual cell growth.
TRICLOSAN
This chemical component, which is commonly found in toothpaste, has been found to affect the thyroid hormone, which is responsible for your metabolism and general hormone regulation in your body. Make sure you read the ingredients next time you purchase a new product, as your thyroid is extremely important for the proper functioning of all your bodily systems.
PHTHALATES (DIETHYL PHTHALATE )
There are many different types of phthalates, and they are everywhere nowadays. From our cosmetics to our dishwasher soap. It is almost impossible to avoid them. And the worrying thing is that they can cause a whole host of health issues. Ranging from asthma, breast cancer, and even attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and a lower IQ.
LEAD (LEAD ACETATE)
Do you love using eyeliner on a daily basis? Or maybe you have just purchased a dark new lipstick for the upcoming Autumn season? Make sure you check the ingredients, as the darker the make-up, the higher chance of it containing lead. The presence of lead can often lead to possible brain damage.
PARFUM
The term “fragrance” or “parfum” in cosmetics usually represents a complex mixture of dozens of chemicals. But what is the risk of using products which have these parfums or fragrance? Research has shown that by using such products, it can often lead to increased skin irritation, asthma or even migraines.
It is always suggested to choose products which are naturally scented, and marked as scented from essential oils.
A lot of research into our water systems has shown that the water we drink can even contain the above chemicals. So, it becomes a vicious cycle. Imagine the products you use are full of these toxins, then you wash it off, the water goes down into the drain, and then back into our watersystem. This harms the environment and the wildlife, who may be drinking this water. Making the change from cosmetics and products that are full or toxins, can be a long journey, but it doesn’t need to be a difficult one.
We look forward to welcoming you in our Face Wellness Studio, to talk about how you can incorporate some holistic and organic products into your life, to start making a difference.
Written by Inna Orlova, Co-Founder Kypwell
