Harmful ingredients to avoid
Do you usually read the ingredients of cosmetic products? Are you tired of being confused with so many scientific names? Do you want to know exactly what they contain and how good they are for your skin?
In the previous post we talked about some ingredients that might not be good for our health.
Today we are going to break down this topic a little more, because it seems important to us, since there are many studies that indicate that these substances penetrate the skin through our mucous membranes, reach the bloodstream and with daily use can accumulate in our body causing health problems.
Keep reading because we are going to tell you what they are so that you can recognize them.
silicones
It is a widely used ingredient in cosmetics as it provides a pleasant creaminess to the product and the skin feels smooth and hydrated after using it.
In hair products it is something basic because it brings shine and softness to the hair.
The problem here is that the silicone covers and clogs the pores, creating a layer that does not allow the skin to breathe, which, in the long term, can damage the endocrine system or even cause infertility.
In addition, silicone has a devastating effect on the environment, because it is not biodegradable and can be very polluting, even poisoning aquatic animals.
You can find the silicones in the ingredients with these names:
In general, they usually end in -ethicone and -oxane , such as Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclotetra, penta or hexa -xyloxane, cetyl dimethicone and colpolyol.
Mineral oils and waxes
They are substances derived from petroleum, widely used in cosmetics due to their low cost and because they produce a sensation of hydration, but in reality, in the same way as silicones, they clog the pores of the skin and prevent perspiration.
You can identify them by these names: Paraffinum liquidum, Paraffin, Microcrystalline wax, Petrolatum, Hydrogenated mineral oil.
Phthalates
They are mainly used to increase hardness, fix aromas, and although they are known to be endocrine disruptors, they are still used in these products.
They are related to damage to the reproductive system and cause hormonal problems.
This is how you will see them on the label: Diethylphthalate (DEHP), Dibutyl Phalate (DBP), Benzyl buty phalate (BBP), Dioctyl Phathale (DNOP).
synthetic preservatives
As its name indicates, they are used to extend the life of a product and prevent bacteria from growing, but most of these preservatives are harmful to health. Some usually cause allergic reactions and others that you will surely know; parabens, which have been linked to the development of breast cancer.
This is what led many companies to look for alternatives such as increasing phenoxyethanol, however this is also toxic as it can lower the natural immune response.
You can identify them like this: Diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl urea, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben..etc.
DEA, MEA, TEA
These are chemicals used to create a creamier consistency and lather that we love so much in a cleansing product, when in fact it not only dries out the skin, but can also cause irritation and inflammation in people with sensitive skin. .
Their names are: Diethanolamine (DEA), Ethanolamine (MEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA)
artificial fragrances
This is usually easy to identify, as it usually comes as parfum or fragrance , it is not necessary to declare what aroma it is, because they usually come in very small quantities, even so, many of them have bioaccumulative potential and can cause allergies and headaches.
We hope that now every time you choose a product you take into account the risks and know how to identify these ingredients, at MayBeez we will always bet on natural products, precisely to avoid this.
Being aware is the most important step.
Tell us in networks if you have reconsidered switching to natural products to take care of your health,
See you, as always, in the next post.
Photo by Maria Lupan on Unsplash
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