The evidence against potentially harmful chemicals in bodycare products continues to mount up. Anyone who saw the recent Channel 4 programme "How Toxic Are You?" will have been shocked at what this investigation uncovered. Indeed, this is just one of a number of reports that have highlighted the damage that certain chemicals can do to our skin and our bodies when they are absorbed into our bloodstream.
But which chemicals are we talking about? Well, here are some of the main cuplrits to watch out for:
The first ingredient is one which vegans will already be steering clear of, coming as it does, from an animal source. Lanolin can not only cause skin allergies, block pores and inhibit the natural function of the skin, but has also been found, on occasion, to be contaminated with cancer causing pesticides.
Another chemical widely used is Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. Used as a foaming agent in many products, this chemical is known to irritate eyes and skin and has also been linked with other health problems such as swelling of the hands, face and arms and split and fuzzy hair.
Even more worryingly though, like other chemicals, SLS is also absorbed into the body from skin application. Once it has entered the bloodstream, one of the main effects of the chemical is to mimic the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This has led to it being linked with a variety of further health problems ranging from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to decreased male fertility and an increase in female cancers such as breast cancer.
Even more worryingly though, like other chemicals, SLS is also absorbed into the body from skin application. Once it has entered the bloodstream, one of the main effects of the chemical is to mimic the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This has led to it being linked with a variety of further health problems ranging from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to decreased male fertility and an increase in female cancers such as breast cancer.
Like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Ammonia and resorcinol can also provoke adverse skin reactions too. In addition, parabens are another group of ingredients to avoid, though this is not always easy as they are used in many products, including make-up. Recent studies have shown that a woman who uses make-up every day is absorbing upto 5 pounds of chemicals every year into her body. These chemicals include bismuth oxychloride, lead, parabens and a long list of preservatives and fragrances.
In fact, manufacturers are not currently required to list the ingredients used in fragrances and many of them have previously been designated as hazardous. However, whilst they continue to be a cheap and legal constituent they are likely to remain as hidden hazards within many popular brands of make-up.
Ailments that have been attributed to some of the chemicals in make-up alone include dermatitis, hormonal disruptions, respiratory stress, dizziness, weakened immune system, headaches and eye and skin problems. In addition, many have been shown to be carcinogenic or have been found within tumour samples.
Aluminium choloride and aluminium chlorohydrate are used widely in deodorants. As aluminium has been linked to Alzheimers disease these are also chemicals that an increasing number of people are concerned about and are therefore choosing to avoid.
Thankfully there are a growing number of products available that are free from all such chemicals. The Yaoh! Organic Hemp Seed Oil range offers an entirely vegan selection of natural bodycare products and Inika mineral make-up is amongst a number of cosmetic ranges that are also vegan and free from harmful ingredients. There are other established brands too that now offer the consumer a more natural choice and some of these are beginning to make their way onto the high street.
As consumers become more aware and exercise their right to avoid these potentially harmful ingredients we can only hope that other manufacturers follow the lead of these companies and begin to produce products that are not only appealing and effective, but are also free of hazardous chemicals.
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Ailments that have been attributed to some of the chemicals in make-up alone include dermatitis, hormonal disruptions, respiratory stress, dizziness, weakened immune system, headaches and eye and skin problems. In addition, many have been shown to be carcinogenic or have been found within tumour samples.
Aluminium choloride and aluminium chlorohydrate are used widely in deodorants. As aluminium has been linked to Alzheimers disease these are also chemicals that an increasing number of people are concerned about and are therefore choosing to avoid.
Thankfully there are a growing number of products available that are free from all such chemicals. The Yaoh! Organic Hemp Seed Oil range offers an entirely vegan selection of natural bodycare products and Inika mineral make-up is amongst a number of cosmetic ranges that are also vegan and free from harmful ingredients. There are other established brands too that now offer the consumer a more natural choice and some of these are beginning to make their way onto the high street.
As consumers become more aware and exercise their right to avoid these potentially harmful ingredients we can only hope that other manufacturers follow the lead of these companies and begin to produce products that are not only appealing and effective, but are also free of hazardous chemicals.
Source
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