Think About These Ingredients!

 

I was going to look at ingredients one should avoid but many of those ingredients have both good and bad sides to them.  Many of the ingredients one is told to avoid, appear to cause cancer but there may not be a direct connection rather than an indirect one.

So first on the list are parabens which are used as preservatives in cosmetics. Often times parabens are used to  retard bacterial growth and mold development to protect both the manufacturers and the consumers.

If you read the ingredients list, you'll see it listed as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. You are likely to find parabens in makeup, moisturizers, hair products, shaving products, and so many other products.  Although at the moment, there is no definitive studies out there which show they are bad for you, there are some indications that they might be linked to breast cancer and disrupting hormones.

Next are sulfates which are responsible for the foaming in your facial foaming cleansers, Although they are considered safe in small amounts, some people are sensitive and react to it. In addition, sulfates do such a great job of cleaning that they often strip the skin and hair of all their natural oils.  This leads to dry skin and hair along with possible irritation.

One also needs to keep track of synthetic fragrances added to the products.  These fragrances are made in the laboratory and can cause allergic reactions in certain people.  There is some evidence that these can possible cause health issues but there is no solid evidence to support this claim. 

Then there is formaldehyde, a colorless liquid that is a gas at room temperature.  It can be found in low concentrations in some facial products, shampoos, and conditioners. There are a couple of studies which indicate a link between formaldehyde and certain types of cancer.

Finally are the phthalates which are also known as plasticizers. This ingredient is often found in synthetic fragrances, shampoos, hair sprays, and soaps.  These are linked to reproductive, developmental, and behavior issues.  This is something you might want to watch out for.

Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to avoid these ingredients because of what they are used in but as far as personal products, you can read ingredients and make a decision based on that.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.