Monday 30 July 2012

Toxic Skin Care

I've seen a lot of expensive tv advertising recently about supermarket brand face moisturisers promising the world, even offering money back guarantees...its powerful marketing!
But my first thoughts are, what sort of ingredients are being used in these moisturisers to cause such so called dramatic effects? The cost of these miracle creams are considerably lower than 'spa brands' yet they can afford huge advertising costs which means that possibly the ingredients are being compromised.

So I decided to embark on a little reconnaissance mission up to my local supermarket recently to investigate.
Without mentioning specific brands, I was not surprised to find some less than superior ingredients listed on the backs of the packaging. Products containing PABAs (possible carcinogens) and plastics, just to name a few...I just can’t see how the ingredients in these formulas can result to the claims made by these big companies. Ingredients used for degreasing car engines and known carcinogens are still being packed into these creams! Sure, they are easily accessible, offer the world and don't cost the earth, but why would anyone knowingly buy this stuff to use on their face and body? What sort of long term effects will they have on our health?

 With the rate of cancers soaring, I believe that it is worth investigating our personal care products that we use several times per day on our skin. These trace amounts of chemicals are being absorbed and who knows whether our bodies are storing them causing a slow build up which may cause problems in the future.

Our recommended spa brand Pevonia, does not contain these harmful ingredients and while you pay a little extra for quality ingredients, how do you put a price on your health?
We now also stock aluminium free deodorants which are a much safer alternative and our nail polishes are free of formaldehyde, DBP and toluene. At Cove we are working hard to eliminate as many chemicals as possible in the interest of the future health, beauty and wellbeing of both our staff and clients.

Harmful Cosmetic Ingredients (from http://www.livestrong.com/) :

The Food and Drug Administration does not test cosmetics, but cosmetic companies are required to list all the ingredients in their products. As a consumer, you should read all cosmetic labels and be aware of what chemicals may be hazardous to your health.

Phthalates

Several phthalates exist, and they are not easy to spot on cosmetic labels. Sometimes they are referred to as diethyl phthalate, or DEP, or as dinbutyl phthalate, or DBP. Phthalates appear in nail polishes, perfumes, hair products and deodorants. They are suspected to cause reproductive issues in both men and women. Phthalates may also damage the kidneys, lungs and liver.

Found in lipsticks, sunscreens and toiletries, propylene glycol keeps cosmetics from drying out. Propylene glycol is listed on cosmetic labels as polyethylene glycol, or PEG, and as polypropylene glycol, or PPG. This ingredient is known to cause skin and eye irritation. When the body absorbs high doses of propylene glycol, it can lead to heart, kidney and liver damage.

Talc

Face powders, blushes and body powders all contain talc. Also known as talcum powder, this ingredient may be laced with asbestos, which is a well-known carcinogen. Talc may cause chronic or acute lung disorders and may contribute to ovarian cancer. You should avoid using body powders that contain talc, especially in the genital area.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde sometimes appears on cosmetic labels as DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate or quaternium-15. Formaldehyde may be used as a preservative in a variety of cosmetics, including eye shadows, mascaras, nail polishes, soaps, creams and shampoos. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and may cause breathing difficulties, especially for those with asthma. When it occurs in creams or soaps, formaldehyde is absorbed into the skin and may trigger headaches and allergic reactions.

Parabens

Small levels of parabens are not considered dangerous, but so many cosmetics contain parabens that you could easily have a high exposure rate to this ingredient. Parabens are listed under the names propylparaben, methylparaben, butylparaben or ethylparaben on cosmetic labels. They are used as a preservative and appear in products such as shampoos, deodorants, shaving creams and makeup. Parabens have been linked to fertility issues and may increase your chance of developing breast cancer.

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