When Looking Beautiful Becomes Toxic
As women, we love to look young and beautiful. And to do so, we buy from eyeshadow, to lipstick, to facial cleansers, to anti-wrinkle creams without questioning what goes into the beauty products we love.
Unfortunately, most of those products include endocrine disruptors that we are not aware of nor consider.
So what are the top endocrine disruptors in beauty products?
Parabens: Parabens are a kind of preservative that has been around since the 1950s. Parabens are listed as butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, and ethylparaben to name a few. Research shows that when absorbed by the skin or ingested daily, parabens can be dangerous as parabens have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive problems.
Propylene Glycol: This substance is used to help cosmetics withstand very high or very low temperatures as well making it easier for the skin to absorb. Propylene Glycol can cause serious neurological symptoms amongst other health issues and is also an active ingredient in antifreeze, YES, car antifreeze!
Phthalates: Problems with fertility? Maybe exposure to this chemical has been an issue. Phthalates are used in nail polish (helping it to harden) and hair sprays (to help with hold), and can also be found in many fragrances.
Triphenyl phosphate or TPHP: TPHP is also typically found in nail polish and is a flame retardant. It has been used to replace phthalates in some products but unfortunately, is not a better option. TPHP has been linked to cancer and reproductive health issues.
So with exposure to these and other harmful chemicals, what can one do?
Become an informed consumer! Take the time to read labels, research those hard-to-pronounce chemicals, and question how using those chemicals can affect your health.
Want to find healthier beauty products? Visit the Environmental Working Group or EWG and log on to search through their database on what products are safe to use and which you should completely avoid.