What Chemicals Are in Your Beauty Products?

When we get up in the morning, take a shower, do our hair, put on make up, use deodorant or an antiperspirant, have you ever thought of some of the chemicals that could be in those products? Typically we don't think about it. We are too consumed with the happenings of the day: getting the kids ready for school, the things we have to do at work, the meetings we have to attend, or what to do for dinner at the end of the day. Most of us don't even have a chance to read the labels when we go shopping. However, the next time you are at the store grabbing your bathroom or cosmetic items, here are just a few harmful chemicals that are often packaged in beauty products that you should watch out for.

Collagen – All mammals have natural levels of collagen and protein on their skin and in muscle tissue. Most products that contain collagen advertise that they will moisturize skin, however, too much of this chemical can actually do more harm than good. Too much collagen can actually clog skin pores, subjecting us to oily skin, rashes, and even nasty break outs.

Mineral Oil – Mineral oil is a distillation of petroleum used to produce gasoline and other products from crude oil. Much like collagen, any product that contains mineral oil will clog skin pores making them unable to breathe and leaving skin feeling oily. Besides, any product that is used to produce gasoline doesn’t sound like something that we should be using in every day life…especially on our skin!

Laquer – Laquer is a chemical that is often used in mascaras. Many products will advertise that they create long, beautiful eyelashes. However, product labels that contain this chemical actually cause quite the opposite. Laquer has proven to actually cause the thinning or even complete loss of eyelashes. Marketing gimmick or a dangerous product that we shouldn’t be using near our eyes?

Formalin – Formalin is actually used in formaldehyde. If this chemical sounds familiar, that’s because it is the chemical used to preserve dead bodies. Not only does it give us the chills to think we may be using products that contain this kind of chemical, but it can also be hazardous to our health. Formalin fumes are proven to cause breathing and respiratory problems such as asthma and even cancer. It even acts as a skin irritant, which is kind of ironic since many body lotions that are supposed to moisturize contain this chemical and can be irritating or even cause rashes. This chemical can also be found in cosmetic items such as shampoos, hair smoothing products, soap bars, and even body wash.

It's actually quite disgusting to think of the things that could be in the products we use. To some, it might be just as alarming. I know I for one will definitely make this a habit. As a professional, or even just as a human being, you want to use the best products that really are proven to make make us look beautiful but yet are healthy to our faces, skin, and bodies. Most people today who do their weekly grocery shopping are spending more time looking for "green" products, which is a great thing to do. So, if you haven't made it your habit to read labels before purchasing, you owe to yourself, and your body to do so. 

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