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In a society where toxins have become so commonplace that we don’t even know what they are, where they are, and what kind of harmful effects they have, it can seem like an overwhelming task to rid your life of something so seemingly ubiquitous. It’s frustrating that, just by adhering to simple, every-day habits, we are unknowingly harming ourselves. Something as simple as washing your face and putting on makeup detrimental to your health if you’re not aware of the ingredients in your face wash, moisturizers, lotions, and makeup.
Here at Good Bazaar, it’s our passion to provide our community with safe alternatives, so that you can go on living a healthy, productive life (with beautiful skin to boot)!
Here are some common toxins found in skincare and beauty products, and the harmful effects they can have.
Parabens:
You may have heard of this one, since parabens are found in a wide array of products as a preservative, from cleansers to makeup to food. Parabens have been shown to interfere with the endocrine system and can have adverse effects on developmental, neurological, reproductive, and immune systems. Parabens have also been linked to breast cancer, showing up in biopsies from tumors.
Fragrance:
The scary thing about the term “fragrance” in an ingredients list is that it can be used as a catchall term to describe a whole litany of chemicals that might not be so good for you. These fragrance mixtures have been linked to allergies, respiratory problems, and possible reproductive issues.
Sodium laurel sulfate or Sodium laureth sulfate:
The primary function of SLS and SLES? Foaming. So, yep, they’re found in pretty much every soap and cleanser (apparently around 90% of cleansing products on the market contain these). On their own, they’re known irritants to skin, eyes, and lungs. However, when mixed with other chemicals, they can form into carcinogens.
Formaldehyde:
Another one you’ve probably heard of, formaldehyde is found everywhere – in food, cleansers, body, and beauty products. It’s a known irritant and carcinogen.
Phthalates:
They’re already banned from children’s toys in the U.S. and E.U., so you have to wonder why Phthalates are okay to use in other products, such as deodorants, perfumes, and lotions. This is one of those chemicals that might be hidden under that catchall “fragrance” term, so be aware. They’re a known endocrine disrupter and have been linked to organ damage and cancer.
Talc:
Maybe you heard recently about a huge lawsuit brought against Johnson & Johnson, in which the company was ordered to pay $110 million dollars in damages to a Virginia woman who developed ovarian cancer after many years of using their talc-based products. Talc, which has a similar composition to asbestos, can be found in baby powder, eye shadow, deodorant, and blush.
While it may feel like an overwhelming task to go through the ingredients of every product you buy, there are simple changes you can make in your shopping habits that will greatly reduce the number of chemicals you’re putting on your skin during your daily beauty routine: buy natural products, keep an eye out for that “organic” label, avoid heavily scented or colored products, and most importantly – keep it simple! Pick out a few, safe products that you absolutely need (soap, moisturizer, make-up), and toss the rest.
