How To Choose Your Beauty Products: Which Ingredients To Avoid

There are many various dangerous chemicals which we potentially come into contact with daily. They are found in exhaust fumes, plastics, pesticides, and even beauty products. There are many choices of beauty products available so it is important to do your research and choose options that are kind to you and your family. There is very little regulation concerning beauty product ingredients, so you will need to take action yourself. 

To help keep you and your family safe, here are the ingredients you should avoid when choosing your beauty products.

1. Oxybenzone 

Oxybenzone along with other UV filters like octocrylene, avobenzone, and ecamsule are found in many chemical sunscreens. Research released by the FDA in 2019 showed that these filters were linked to various health issues such as reduced male fertility, hormone disruption, birth defects, and potentially cancer.  Oxybenzone, for example, is an endocrine disruptor that studies have shown to alter the function of the thyroid gland potentially leading to thyroid cancer. The specialists at https://btl.science/ explain that the filters are absorbed into the body upon application of chemical sunscreen and are still present both on the skin and in your blood weeks after. In fact, after just one application of sunscreen containing oxybenzone, subjects were shown to have almost 200 times the amount which the FDA says is a cause for concern, and this rose to over 500 times when the subject had applied the sunscreen four days in a row. Mineral sunscreens are always the safest choice, and you should also check that there is no oxybenzone in your tinted moisturizer, or SPF lotions and makeup. 

2. Artificial Fragrances

Avoiding artificial fragrances in beauty products can be extremely difficult because they are so commonly used. The problem is that beauty product manufacturers do not have to declare what is in their fragrances. While some are perfectly safe, others are made from a mixture of different irritants, carcinogens, and endocrine disruptors. Stick to naturally fragranced products whenever possible. 

3. Parabens

You may have never even heard of parabens before but they are common in everything from lotion to soap to makeup. Parabens are preservatives that are used to stop bacteria from developing in water-containing products. The problem with parabens is that they disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking estrogen. This can cause the body to produce more hormones to balance out what it thinks are high levels of estrogen which can lead to serious health issues. One study even found parabens in 99% of all the breast cancer tumors examined. 

4. Phthalates

Phthalates are plasticizers that prevent plastic from becoming brittle. They are used extensively in beauty products, mostly in fragrances, nail polish, and hair spray. They are also endocrine disruptors and can cause reproductive and hormonal issues as well as birth defects. Look out for letters like these on the labels of your products: DEP, DBP, DEHP, because these are common phthalates used in the beauty industry.

5. Toluene

Toluene is a petrochemical solvent that is commonly found in hair dyes and nail polishes. It is volatile, toxic and can cause birth defects and major problems with the immune system. Toluene is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, and so if you are expecting a baby, you should avoid all toluene products entirely.

6. PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) 

PEG is used to thicken many types of liquid beauty products including sunscreens, shampoos, and lotions. The problem with PEG is it is often found to be contaminated with ethylene oxide, a recognized carcinogen, and also 1,3-Dioxane, which has been shown to cause problems with the respiratory system (and has been banned in Canada as a result). Until other countries follow Canada’s lead, consumers need to check their products.

7. Triclosan

Despite a ban on triclosan in soap used in healthcare facilities, it is still permitted in beauty products. Triclosan has been shown not only to be an endocrine disruptor but also to help the development of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. In one study conducted on mice, triclosan was also shown to cause gut inflammation, as well as tumor growth. Avoid triclosan at all costs. 

In recent years, there have been several emerging beauty companies that are dedicated to safer products and more transparency. As a consumer and protector of your health, you need to research which companies are committed to safety and also check all the ingredients on any product you buy. These seven ingredients can be very harmful and are best avoided altogether.