Potential Contaminants in Cosmetics

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In most of the cosmetic chemicals on the market today, besides substances that are beneficial to the skin, they also contain substances that are potentially harmful to the body and cause environmental pollution.

1. Substances with potential to cause environmental pollution

Chemical substances in daily personal care products can enter water and soil and cause pollution of domestic and drinking water. Not only that, but these substances also have potential health risks. Some harmful substances may be present in cosmetic chemicals used in daily life such as shampoos, shower gels, skin care products, makeup...
Substances with potential risks affecting health and Environmental chemicals in cosmetics are known as:
BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole) This is a synthetic antioxidant, it is widely used as a preservative to help prevent product deterioration, stabilize the activity of the product. matter. BHA is present in cosmetics such as lipsticks, shower gels... International research agencies put BHA on the list of potentially carcinogenic substances, which can promote tumor growth. In addition, BHA also affects endocrine function and causes skin irritation.
Although BHA is present in cosmetics with permissible levels, however, if the abuse and use of cosmetics, or the use of floating cosmetics, it is not guaranteed to contain this substance that exceeds the allowable threshold, there will be risks. harmful to health.
DMDM ​​hydantoin is one of the preservatives that can produce formaldehyde. This active ingredient can cause muscle pain, cancer, skin irritation, allergies, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia... If exposed to this substance for a long time, it can cause damage. respiratory tract irritation, increased heart rate ...
These substances also have the risk of causing environmental pollution due to the production of formaldehyde.
Therefore, when using cosmetics, you should choose a reputable cosmetic manufacturer that does not contain this preservative or only has the content licensed by the health agency.
Fragrance In most cosmetic chemical products, there is a fragrance. Fragrances are often synthetic. Most of the odorants are phthalate chemicals, carry synthetic fragrances, are also used to kill insects... This substance is not only a cause of environmental pollution but also an allergen. respiratory tract irritation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this substance is a probable carcinogen.
Phthalates are found in products such as lipstick, perfume, nail polish, hairspray... This substance has symbols written on product packaging such as: BZBP, DBP, DE... So when choosing For cosmetics, choose the one with the least fragrance, check the packaging for substances with the above symbols, and pay attention to the product that is licensed by the health authority.
Parabens This substance is present in most body care products. It is intended to inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold and is used as a preservative widely used in cosmetic products. Parabens have the same mechanism of action as a synthetic estrogen, if abused cosmetics can cause this substance to penetrate and disrupt the body's endocrine system, affecting reproductive health and the health of the fetus. In addition, it is also capable of causing dermatitis, breast cancer, early menopause and osteoporosis, reducing fertility in men. This is also a potential substance that causes environmental pollution mentioned in cable newspapers.

Retinyl palmitate This is a derivative of vitamin A, widely used in skin care, anti-aging products. However, according to the European Commission for the Protection of Consumer Health, which has released information, vitamin A in cosmetics can be absorbed through the skin, plus vitamin A is available in the body, or from dietary supplements, food... that consumers have consumed, which can lead to overdose causing harmful health effects such as fetal changes, osteoporosis...
Triethanolamine This highly alkaline compound is Used in cosmetic chemical products to balance the pH of many body creams and cosmetics especially mascara, body lotion.... It can cause allergic reactions such as itching, sugar irritation. respiratory... In certain cases linked to cancer.
In addition, although it is also considered a biodegradable compound and is not toxic to animals and organisms, wastewater from manufacturing plants contains high levels of triethanolamine which can significantly change the pH of rivers and streams and have negative effects on aquatic organisms, polluting water sources.
1,4-dioxane This is one of the common chemicals used in shampoos and soaps. This substance is very difficult to decompose and has the ability to seep into groundwater and cause pollution. According to the World Health Organization, this substance contains many potential health risks, especially affecting the respiratory system, liver and kidneys, causing skin and eye irritation.
In addition to the above substances in some products, there are also high levels of substances such as Arsenic, lead, mercury...high risk of environmental pollution and substances harmful to health. Although these substances are not approved for use, there are still many products of unknown origin that contain these ingredients.

2. How to limit the risk of cosmetic effects

Cosmetic chemicals are used almost every day, especially the risk of effects due to these cosmetic chemicals is higher in women because they use more than men. Some ways to limit harmful effects to health and reduce the risk of environmental pollution can be applied such as:
Do not use cosmetic products of unclear origin, because of unknown ingredients or substances. hazardous to the body and the environment. It is also not possible to ensure that the content of harmful substances exceeds the allowable threshold. Always check the label for the content of the approved substance by the health authority. Choose products that are mild or unscented to avoid harm from fragrances. If there is an allergic condition, it is necessary to consider the ingredients that have the potential to cause irritation to choose the right one. Instead of using chemical cosmetic products, you should choose products of natural origin if possible to limit harm to health and environmental pollution. Should minimize the use of cosmetics if not necessary.

In general, there are a lot of potentially harmful substances that pose health risks and cause pollution in the cosmetic and chemical products we use every day. Limiting use and replacing with natural products if possible to reduce the risk of harm is a good measure.

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Reference source: fda.gov