The inexplicable rise of certain health conditions along
with research conducted on the health impacts of chemicals raises concerns about the safety of ingredients in chemical produced personal care products.
Beauty is one industry where the use of chemicals in the production of personal
care products is unsystematically monitored and tested.
The beauty industry selects from a palette of approximately
12,500 chemical ingredients to produce a range of products with the
average chemical produced beauty product containing between 15 to 50
ingredients. Each product formulation varies slightly, however, most
cosmetics contain a concoction of ingredients including water, fragrances, emulsifiers,
emollients, colouring agents, preservatives, thickening agents, and pH
stabilisers. Most of the chemicals used in beauty products have previously never
been tested for their health effects and the ones that have been tested are allocated
a safe dose due to low usage levels, however this does not account for the thousands
of other chemicals a person is exposed to throughout the day.
The main chemicals of concern used in the production of
cosmetics include Phthalates, Parabens, Talcum powder, Nanoparticles,
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors, Lead acetate, Coal tar, UV filters,
Triclosan, Resorcinol, Toluene and Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) due to their
links to cancer and hormone disruption. Furthermore, the production and
disposal of these chemicals affect our environment with most beauty waste being
washed down the drains, threatening marine biodiversity and the quality of our
oceans and waterways.
Research has uncovered women use around 9 and 15 beauty
products daily, applying approximately 515 chemicals to their skin through the
use of cosmetics, beauty products and perfumes. Making your own natural beauty products at home is an easy and affordable way to significantly reduce your daily exposure to chemicals. Using a small selection of natural ingredients, you
can make your own chemical free deodorant, mascara, face mask, body scrub, toothpaste and more. Switching to a natural alternative is better for your health and the environment.
Related: What is in your sunscreen?; Looming health hazards of synthetic chemical repellents; Natural toxin free deodorant
