I’ve promised you (see About Me) I will do the heavy lifting when it comes to skincare. In doing my research, I was astounded by how the SAME substances can be found in both your lipstick and an industrial cleaning fluid and second, how these substance can be legally permitted for use in one country, but not another.
I could list hundreds of “CHEMICALS TO AVOID” in cosmetics, but the truth is some substances are worse than others and also, as consumers we like low priced cosmetics, which in turn reduces the pressure on manufacturers to produce better quality products at the same price.
I espouse a compromise: I will only suggest you avoid a few ingredients and concurrently (and over time), I will find safer cosmetics. I will periodically list out chemicals that you should simply avoid based on the following guidelines:
- What is the primary use of the substance?
- How is the substance used in cosmetics/skincare/personal care products/fragrance and WHY?
- What is the health concern, if any?
- My view
- What you should keep a look out on labels
Appetite for risk
Many ingredients (such as lead) are quite obviously injurious to your health. Lead causes lead poisoning and its usage is banned in many countries. However, its still found in many kajals and surmas such that the US Food & Drug Administration has issued a warning against its use. Lead is an extreme example of a terrible cosmetic ingredient and not many ingredients are as awful as lead is. I can tell you why you should avoid ingredients, but it really is your personal choice and attitude to risk that determines whether or not you use cosmetic products with harmful chemicals.
As a general rule, pregnant women and children (infants, toddlers) are more at risk than other groups.
What is the primary use of the parabens?
Methylparaben and Propylparaben are the most common compounds used as a preservative and are found in cosmetics, hygiene products, food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, household pesticides, cleaning products, paints, pet supplies, and paper products.
How are parabens used in cosmetics / skincare / personal care products / fragrance and why?
Parabens are preservatives (prevent growth of microbes) and have been used in personal care products (skincare, hair products) for decades. Parabens are cheap and effective preservatives and their ubiquity in “everything manufactured” suggests they are much beloved by manufacturers.
What is the health concern, if any?
Parabens are endocrine system disruptors – they act as estrogen mimickers and in a study in the USA, traces of parabens were found in most urine samples of both genders, irrespective of ethnicity. Data is inconclusive on whether parabens are carcinogenic.
India permits use of parabens, as does the US FDA (although this is under review)[2]. On the other hand, the EU BANS five parabens and limits the use of two parabens. The banned parabens are: Benzylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Pentylparaben and Phenylparaben. The restricted use parabens are: Butylparaben and Propylparaben.
My view
Fine, so parabens are not carcinogens – but I am paranoid about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS – an endocrine related disorder) and “estrogen mimickers” is sufficient for me to avoid parabens.
Parabens are easily absorbed into the skin, so if your face products (toner, serum, cream, sun-protection), soap(s), body lotion and parfum all contain parabens, then that’s a minimum of SEVEN applications before you have even left your bedroom AND as women, that just exponentially multiplies because we use more products – imagine exposure on a spa day. A common argument in favour of paraben inclusion in cosmetic products is that these products contain less parabens than they used to. However, NO ONE has done a study measuring the amount of parabens that you or I absorb during the course of a day/month/year: so please don’t tell me that “quantities” no long matter: on a cumulative basis, you don’t need a PhD in quantum physics to know that paraben exposure is not insignificant.
My view is you should limit your exposure to parabens, with pregnant women, toddlers, infants and young children specifically at risk.
What to look out for on labels
Parabens used in cosmetics : Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben (but essentially, anything ending with the word – paraben)
HAPPY SKIN DAYS. COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2019. I am a non-affiliated skincare blogger. I invest my own resources in researching and creating content for my blog. The contents of this blog, including images are protected by copyright law(s). My content cannot be replicated without my consent. You can write to me at email@happyskindays.com I am happy to file criminal and civil charges for theft of my content.