Whatever is applied to your skin is absorbed to some degree, so what's in the cosmetics you use should be of concern to you personally and globally.
Some consumers may not consider that discarded cosmetics either end up in a landfill or down the drain, not to mention the many millions of plastic jars, tubes and other packaging materials discarded into our landfills.
Beyond the environmental impact is the market certification and approval process. Many new products are tested on various animals and can have horrific results.
One cosmetic gaining attention lately is nail polish. Many brands use dibutyl phthalate, a chemical that has been officially linked to cancer in animals.
Other examples of chemicals used in cosmetics include acrylamide formaldehyde and ethylene oxide. Both of these ingredients are listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as known carcinogens. Products of most concern include:
• Eye Shadow
• Facial Powder
• Hair Color and Bleach
• Nail Polish
• Anti-Wrinkle Creams
Many of these products include toxins such as mercury, lead acetate, formaldehyde, ethyl acrylate, tolulene, coal tar, and petroleum distillates. Even lipstick is a concern because it is made from synthetic oils, man-made dyes and pigments, and petroleum-based waxes.
The point is it really pays to notice the chemicals used in various cosmetic products and what the long-term effects of those ingredients are on you and the environment. Whenever it’s possible, consumers need to tap earth-friendly brands even if they cost considerably more than traditional products.
There are several brands worth considering. One example is from Mode Cosmetics ; their products are typically less than $3 and manufactured in the United States. Another brand worth considering is Suncoat Products. This company provides water-based formulations for nail polish, for example, and it has no odor.
Nano particles used in cosmetics and other health care products also are of concern for consumers. Science Daily last May reported nano particles added to cosmetics and other personal care products may be harmful to humans and the environment.
An article by Dr. Cyndee Gruden and Olga Biebesheimer reported nano titanium dioxide particles, as well as other nano pigments, commonly used in cosmetics, sunscreens, and other personal hygiene products are rinsed down the drain when people take showers or bathe.
These chemicals typically end up in municipal sewage treatment plants. From there, the particles are found in lakes and rivers or other water sources, where microorganisms serve an essential role in maintaining a healthy environment. The problem is these particles are so small that their effects are not well understood.
Gruden studied the survival rate of Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) exposed to various amounts of nano titanium dioxide. The study results found there were large reductions in survival in test samples exposed to small concentrations for less than an hour.
The results beg the question: What are the implications to human life and our ecosystem?
There’s a lot of debate about nano particle toxicity. Some scientists believe nano particles can aggregate together and bind into silt or other organic matter and greatly reduce the risk of toxicity. But, for now, scientists simply are not sure.
The public is responsible for understanding risks associated with consumer products such as cosmetics. It’s up to the scientists developing cosmetics and related products to study the effects of the ingredients and report the findings to the public.
Bottom line: Read the label, it may save your life.
Note: This post comes to We Mean Business from TechMan, a contributor who writes about trends involving various industries.
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