06.12.16

By: Kathryn Newton

On Tuesday, December 6th, CNN’s Meera Senthilingam released an article regarding the hazardous chemicals found in beauty products created for African American women. Senthilingam’s article reports that for every twelve African American beauty produces, one of them will contain dangerous chemicals that threaten the health of the consumer. Meera Senthilingam’s article has made me aware that toxic chemicals are not only found in cosmetics used by African Americans, but they can also be traced in makeup used by individuals of all races. It is baffling that many American women and men are not aware of the fact that they are exposing their skin to harmful chemicals that could greatly impact their health in future years. In a culture that glorifies the makeup industry, Americans should know more about what they are paying for and the impacts of each product.

The point of this topic is not to destroy the makeup industry and persuade people that makeup is horrible, for many people makeup has been a creative outlet, a confidence booster, and a lifestyle. With that being said, there is room for improvement when it comes to some of the ingredients used in many cosmetic products. The twelve most common harmful chemicals present in many products include and are not limited to: Sodium laureth sulfate, triclosan, siloxanes, petrolatum, PEG compounds, fragrances, parabens, preservatives, dibutyl phthalate, DEA- related ingredients, coal tar dyes, and BHA/BHTs. Each chemical has a certain role to play in their product. Sodium laureth sulfate, also known as SLES, is what causes your shampoo to bubble up when you wash your hair. The problem with SLES is that depending on how the product was manufactured is could potentially be contaminated with Dioxane and could create a hormonal imbalance. Triclosan is commonly used in products such as deodorants and hand sanitizers. Triclosan can cause hormonal imbalance also referred to as “Endocrine Disruption” and could irritate the thyroid hormone. Siloxanes, such as Cyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and Cyclopentasiloxane (D5), are used to smooth and provide moisturization for your skin. Siloxanes also impact your hormone system and are classified as an endocrine disrupter, there is also evidence of chemical interference with fertility. Petrolatum, used to seal in moisture, poses as a cancer threat if exposed to skin for long amounts of time. Petrolatum can be found in many moisturizers and hair products. PEG-Compounds are another claimed to be contaminated with Dioxane. PEG-Compounds are used as thickeners in many moisturizing products. Fragrances in cosmetics are also harmful, there is evidence that they cause migraines, allergies, and asthma (nearly three out of four asthmatics experienced attacks when exposed to fragrances.)   Parabens are very harmful to the human hormone system, the chemical has traces to breast cancer and may interfere with the male reproductive system. They are used to preserve cosmetics to keep them fresh for longer. These are only a few of the many horrible chemicals found in cosmetic products.  

With more companies and individuals becoming aware of the chemical threats Americans are exposing themselves to, there is push to create safer cosmetic products. With a bit of research, you are able to find products that are chemical free (or limited use) and perfect for your features.

RESEARCH

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/

http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/

http://slsfree.net/

http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—triclosan/

https://www.beyondpesticides.org/programs/antibacterials/triclosan

http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—siloxanes/

http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—petrolatum/

http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—peg-compounds-and-their-contaminants/