If you want to join natural cosmetics because you believe that beauty and health should not be at odds, these are the chemical compounds that you should avoid in your beauty and hygiene products.
The cosmetics give us extra beauty to both skin and hair or nails. However, many of them may contain toxic and therefore unhealthy ingredients. That is why more and more people are betting on natural or toxin-free cosmetics, that is, those that contain one hundred percent natural ingredients and that are respectful not only with our body but also with the environment.
To make cosmetics there are more than 12,000 ingredients of which only a fifth have been studied to find out how they affect our health. The conclusions are shocking: half of those analyzed are toxic. Figures that highlight the need to modify our shopping cart in terms of beauty products.
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Ingredients To Avoid
Studies and analyzes on the effect that certain ingredients produce in our diet and, therefore, on our health, leads us to look closely at the composition of certain foods, something that we avoid doing when it comes to cosmetics. The lack of information is the main reason why we do not do it, but also the ignorance about what each ingredient means. Therefore, this list of the most dangerous and common toxins in the cosmetic industry will be very useful.
Sulfates
Sulfates – present in daily care products such as bath gels or shampoos – have a high cleaning power that not only eliminates dirt, but also the natural oils of the skin, eliminating the barrier that protects in front of external agents.
These salts, belonging to the family of surfactants, in addition to generating foam, act as an irritant detergent, so the continuous use of products with a high concentration of sulfates can cause problems of dry skin or hair loss. In addition, special care must be taken with Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, the most dangerous: they are abrasive, reach the blood through the skin, and are linked to certain diseases.
Silicones
The shampoos miracle that acts as moisturizers, emollients, and sealants cuticle hair usually contain this toxic ingredient which is to help create a protective layer on the hair fibers or skin so that no contact with the outside. But, at the same time that it does not allow external agents to penetrate, it does not allow the body to breathe and perform its functions normally.
In addition, most silicones are insoluble in water, which accumulates wash after wash, generating waste and dirt. This creates a dependency on the use of shampoo because in the long run, it makes the hair get dirty more easily and quickly.
Synthetic Perfumes
Facial creams, deodorants, hair products … practically all cosmetics contain perfumes that create a pleasant atmosphere with each use. However, many of them are synthetic and are listed in their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) as a perfume or fragrance. These names hide in a single word a myriad of toxic compounds, as well as ingredients of animal origin. Natural cosmetics, however, committed to the absence of flavorings and other oils or perfumes like citrus fruits, for example.
Phthalates And Toluene
Phthalates and toluene found in nail polishes or perfumes contain toxic substances that, when in contact with blood through the skin or through the respiratory tract, cause hormonal disorders. These compounds act as fixatives, solvents, and softeners, but they are irritating to the eyes and can cause fatigue and headaches.
Aluminum Salts
The antiperspirant deodorants avoid annoying sweat stains on clothing plugging the sweat glands, which get through the aluminum salts. But this component is very harmful since it is capable of penetrating the skin causing certain degenerative diseases.
Paraffin
Paraffin is present in moisturizers as a cheaper substitute for vegetable oils and provides apparently healthy and hydrated skin. But in reality that false appearance is achieved by clogging the pores. Thus, it prevents the skin from losing moisture, but at the same time makes it not breathe naturally. With continued use, the effects are clear: dry skin, acne, and irritations. When it is the lipstick that contains this ingredient there is an added problem, and it is the risk of ingesting it so that it is stored in the kidneys or liver.
Chlorine, Iodine, And Bromine
These compounds extend the life of the cosmetic product as preservatives , but they are toxic to the immune system and the cause of many allergies . In addition to avoiding products that contain them, you also have to avoid those that have BHA or boric acid. Instead, opt for those that have natural or synthetic preservatives, such as sodium levulinate, sodium anisate, benzyl alcohol, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate.
Vegan Cosmetics
Choosing the perfect natural cosmetic products to maintain the health of our skin and hair is easier if we know what to avoid. A routine that adds to the eco movement that many people bet on, and that consists of dispensing with ultra-processed foods, practicing outdoor sports and maintaining proper hygiene, among other aspects. An increasingly demanded way of life. In fact, there are already initiatives that facilitate the search for natural products, such as the Environmental Working Group in the United States, on whose website you can enter the ingredients of a certain cosmetic to check whether it is harmful or not.
The natural cosmetics combines the latest technology with that which nature provides, such as essential oils of plants. As they do not contain toxic substances, they do not harm the skin, so they can be used continuously. But it is not enough that the raw material is respectful with health, but also with the environment. It is what is known as vegan cosmetics .
For this type of cosmetics, different official certification seals are established that guarantee its natural production, such as that it has not been tested on animals, or that its packaging or labeling is one hundred percent organic.
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