The Ugly Truth About Beauty Products

February 5th, 2017

Toxins in Cosmetics

No matter how hard the beauty business proclaims innocence the undeniable truth that many of the ingredients in skin care and makeup are toxic to our bodies.

First of all consumers need to know that the FDA does not regulate the cosmetic industry. Since the beginning of this huge multi-billion dollar industry we have been lead to believe that the skin is a protective barrier that does not absorb anything into the body. This claim has allowed cosmetic and beauty products to be exempt from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because it doesn’t fall under the classification of a drug. Silly isn’t it considering how many drugs are now applied thru the skin patch.

Heres the Ugly Truth About Beauty Products

FDA 1999… cosmetic manufacturers may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without approval from FDA

FDA 1995…the FDA cannot require a company to do safety testing of their products before marketing

FDA / Cosmetic Ingredient Review ….89% of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been reviewed by the FDA or the CIR

The European Union has banned approx 450 ingredients from personal care products in contrast to just 9 banned by the FDA here in the US.

98% of all personal care products contain one or more ingredients that have never been publically assessed for safety

FDA..If you think the FDA is protecting you think again…..…the FDAs approval system adheres to the motto….tell us IF it is unsafe …. Otherwise we will assume it is safe

“Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives … Cosmetic firms are responsible for substantiating the safety of their products and ingredients before marketing.”

The cosmetics industry has some of the biggest loopholes imaginable

“For Professional Use Only” — This phrase allows cosmetic companies to remove harmful chemicals from their labels.

“Hypoallergenic” — No actual testing is necessary to claim that a product is “hypoallergenic”, “allergy-free” or “safe for sensitive skin”. Neither the FDA nor any other regulating body even requires the companies to prove these claims.

Not Harmful Chemicals — Unless they are intentionally placed in the product, harmful chemicals are not required to be listed. It’s no shocker that you never see these.

Tested on animals. Cosmetic labs buy their chemical ingredients from the huge chemical labs and even though these small labs do not test on animals their huge suppliers do.

Why Do So Many Skin Care Products Use These Potentially Hazardous Ingredients?

Simple answer: because they’re cheap, readily available, and easy to dilute.

Just because it is legal doesn’t mean it is safe

Heres just some of what you can expect to find in your typical beauty products

Parabens ……. Heavily used preservatives in the cosmetic industry; used in an estimated 13,200 cosmetic and skin care products. Studies implicate their connection with cancer because their hormone-disrupting qualities mimic estrogen and could disrupt your body’s endocrine system.

Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum ……..These petroleum products coat the skin like plastic – clogging pores and creating a build-up of toxins. They can slow cellular development, creating earlier signs of aging. They’re implicated as a suspected cause of cancer. Plus, they can disrupt hormonal activity. When you think about black oil pumped from deep underground, ask yourself why you’d want to put that kind of stuff on your skin…

Sodium laurel or lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)…..  Found in over 90% of personal care products! They break down your skin’s moisture barrier, potentially leading to dry skin with premature aging. And because they easily penetrate your skin, they can allow other chemicals easy access. SLS combined with other chemicals may become a “nitrosamine” – a potent carcinogen.

Acrylamide…….. Found in many facial creams. Linked to mammary tumors.

Propylene glycol……. Common cosmetic moisturizer and carrier for fragrance oils. May cause dermatitis and skin irritation. May inhibit skin cell growth. Linked to kidney and liver problems.

Phenol carbolic acid…… Found in many lotions and skin creams. Can cause circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, coma, and even death from respiratory failure.

Dioxane…… Hidden in ingredients such as PEG, polysorbates, laureth, ethoxylated alcohols. Very common in personal care products. These chemicals are often contaminated with high concentrations of highly volatile 1,4-dioxane that’s easily absorbed through the skin. Its carcinogenicity was first reported in 1965, and later confirmed in studies including one from the National Cancer Institute in 1978. Nasal passages are considered extremely vulnerable, making it, in my opinion, a really bad idea to use these things on your face.

Toluene…… May be very poisonous! Made from petroleum and coal tar… found in most synthetic fragrances. Chronic exposure linked to anemia, lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney damage…May affect a developing fetus.

Phthalates…. by far one of the most damaging of all. It can cause reproductive system and hormonal problems and is on high alert in the cosmetic industry as one to avoid. Steps are being taken to banning it in cosmetics.

The list goes on and on………

So what can you do to ensure your cosmetics and skincare are safe?

Use homemade, natural ingredients whenever possible. Check out my Natural Beauty Archives for more ideas and DIY Beauty Recipes

What are some of your favorite natural beauty solutions? Friendship happens in the comments below leave a comment and join the conversation! The LIF community thrives in the comments and its a great place to get support!

Heres to Peace, Love, and Natural Beauty!


Lesli's Signature


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