I am becoming increasingly aware of the effect that many common ingredients have on our health. The worrying thing is that these ingredients, which have been linked to cancer, skin irritations and respiratory problems amongst other things are so common in skincare and makeup. It's astounding that many of them are legal! I don't by any means have a lifestyle where I only use 100% natural ingredients, but it's good to be informed enough to make little changes, right? Below is a list of ingredients which suck. I'm going to be adding to this list over the coming week or two.
*2 Bromo-Nitropropane- A preservative which can cause skin allergies and respiratory problems. It's also not particularly good for the environment.
*Acetone- A solvent widely used in food, skincare and makeup, such as nail varnishes and hairsprays.
*Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate- A neurotoxin which can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and the respiratory system if inhaled or on contact.
*Ammonia- Ammonia is a raw material used in the manufacture of fertilisers, explosives and cleaning fluids. Many consumer and commercial products contain this alkaline substance, including many products that are used to clean grime or fertilize crops. This chemical is hazardous, and even in low concentrations, inhaling it or getting the solution on the skin can cause adverse reactions such as burning and dizziness.
*Ammonium Xylene Sulfonate- A surfactant which is usually added to thicken a mixture like shampoo, and to help keep some other ingredients in solution. It has the ability to serve as a claritant or wetting agent that helps a formula spread
more easily and ensure efficient cleansing. It is considered a low hazard ingredient by the cosmetics database which has mild concerns regarding organ system toxicity and skin
and eye irritation.
*Benzethonium Chloride- Primarily used as a preservative and antimicrobial agent, and secondarily
used as a surfactant. It works by killing microorganisms and inhibiting their
future growth, and for this reason frequently appears as an ingredient in
antibacterial hand wipes, antiseptic creams and anti-itch ointments. In
cosmetics it is mostly used in personal care products like rash cream, foot odour
powder, facial lotion, cleanser, makeup and sunscreen. A suspected carcinogen, some believe that it can harm the body's immune system,
central nervous system and lymph system.
*BHA and BHT (Butylated Hydroxyanisole/Hydroxytoluene)- Really awful ingredients which are added to skincare and food in order to preserve fats. These are commonly added to lipsticks. There is evidence that they act as tumour promoters as in high doses they mess around with male and female hormones, mimicking estrogen which is the primary female hormone. In men this can prevent the expression of testosterone the male sex hormones, resuting in adverse reproductive effects in both men and women. Long-term exposure to high doses of BHT is toxic in mice and rats, causing liver, thyroid and kidney problems and affecting lung function and blood coagulation.
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