The Beauty of Green: a brief guide to green cosmetics

(Source: www. greenlivingideas.com)

Cosmetics might be something you may not pay so much attention in the push towards greening your life. In fact, there are many of these products that are either made with extremely harmful processes or contain harmful additives or chemicals. The list includes:

Phthalates
Found mostly in nail polishes, these estrogen-mimickers can wreak havoc on the endocrine system, causing unwelcome hormonal effects.

Lead
You may think that this well-known health hazard has been removed from all cosmetics, but certain types of hair dye still contain it.

Petroleum Products (petrolatum)
These substances, can be difficult to spot due to their plethora of aliases, such as trioxaundecanedioic acid, toluene, and 4-amino-2-hydroxy-tuolene. BHA, a petroleum derivative, has been linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive damage, immune system toxicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and environmental harm. It is found in many common products.

Fragrance
This ingredient is so unregulated that cosmetics companies don’t even have to list fragrance ingredients. Many fragrance ingredients are chemically-based, neurotoxic, and allergenic. Hundreds of different chemicals may be used in its manufacture. This is why you often see “fragrance free” touted as a premium feature on many cosmetics.

Formaldehyde
Also known by formalin, formic aldehyde, oxomethane, and oxymethylene, formaldehyde is used as a preservative. It has been linked to cancer, cell changes, neurotoxicity, and developmental and reproductive harm. It is primarily used in nail polishes and hair bleach.

Propylene Glycol
Used as a wetting agent, propylene glycol is found in many lotions, moisturizers, and liquid foundations. It has been linked to cancer, mutagenic changes, endocrine disruptions, skin irritation, skin rashes, and liver and kidney damage.

PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
This used to be a common ingredient in many products, including sunscreen, until its possible carcinogenic properties were discovered. Yet you can still find it in some lip balms, shampoos, and body washes. PABA has been linked to cancer, developmental damage, reproductive damage, cell level changes, and neurotoxicity.

Fortunately, there are many green, alternative products to switch to for your cosmetic needs. When making your purchases, make sure to pay close attention to labels and ingredients list. Terms like “natural” or “green” are not regulated in any way. So, products that have these labels may still contain chemicals that are harmful to your body and the environment. A good rule of thumb to follow is to avoid ingredients that you are not familiar with or ones with laborious spelling (like trioxaundecanedioic acid).

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The Beauty of Green: a brief guide to green cosmetics