How Safe is the Use of Cosmetic Products?

Makeup has become a must-wear for most ladies, and it is believed that they can never step out of their house without layers of different kinds of cosmetic products. The cosmetics industry has bloomed to such a significant extent that there are different cosmetic products for every body part. There are also different ones for different occasions and seasons! All the makeups we wear today were once tested on animals, and the effects weren’t funny. It is a fact that some cosmetics look good temporarily on some people, but have you wondered how ugly the layers of the foundation would leave your once-pretty face. This article aims at informing you of the side effects of those cherished cosmetics you apply.:

1. Nail Paints Damage Your Nails

Pedicures and manicures may sound highly hygienic, but if done very frequently could be dangerous to nails. The quality of your digital nails will reduce over time as a result of excessive application of cosmetics and will lead to nail fragility and breaking. The nails reduce in mass and become thin alongside losing their natural color and appearing pale. Dark-colored nail paints could leave your nails with some persisting stains and may turn them yellow. Acetone, present in nail paints and nail removers, is a harsh chemical that tends to reduce your nail strength.

2. Headaches

For how long will you suffer headaches all because of cosmetics? Chemicals like DMDM Hydantoin and Diazolidinyl urea (formaldehyde-releasing chemicals) are a common deadly ingredient in many cosmetics and are used to functions as antimicrobial preservatives. The chemicals have been proved to cause headaches, cause damage to the eyes, and irritation of the mucous membranes. If you have probably been suffering from prolonged headaches and can’t figure out its cause, just take some brake on makeup for a few days to check if the headache varnishes.

3. Lead Poisoning from Lipsticks

The lipstick dries up moisture off your lips, and most of them contain chemicals and oils that can damage your lips. Lipstick is produced from a good number of very harmful substances such as mineral oil and lead. Lead ingestion can expose one to possible brain injury and behavioral abnormalities. Although most of the lipstick lead contents are safe, considering the point that most lipstick users apply the products for over a dozen times a day, there are sure long-term side effects as a result of it. Lead ingestion could lead to reduced muscle coordination, high blood pressure, aural and visual impairment, and other scary neural damages. The mineral oil from lipstick forms a nonporous radiance on your lips and can obstruct skin cell growth and functioning.

4. Skin Allergies

Parabens (used as preservatives against bacterial growth in cosmetics) might cause various allergic reactions on your dear skin, reactions like blotches, blemishes, and irritation on the skin. Another well-known allergen in cosmetics is Salicylate, which often causes painful rashes or even hives to sensitive skin people. In several cases, allergic reactions are not apparent until symptoms become very severe. You should read the label for the presence of parabens before you buy it!

5. Eye Infections

Eye makeup is used widely used even by women who don’t use heavy makeup. But it is somewhat necessary to keep in mind that your precious eyes and adjoining skin around them are the most sensitive part of your face. Layers of face makeup can be very harmful to your eyes as it also finds its way into your eyes and thus leading to eye irritation. Excess eyeliner and mascara inhibits eyelashes growth and become a potential site for bacteria production, which could lead to infections and irritations.

6. Infertility

Those skincare products and deodorants you keep using are directly absorbed by the skin, so every chemical content used in these products invariably also seep into your body. According to a research study on rats, butylparaben negatively affects the male reproductive system’s functions and even the secretion of testosterone.

Though users of cosmetics are women, it’s still pertinent to view the adverse effects that parabens could predispose to the reproductive system. Parabens are mostly used in cosmetic industries, and even some products labeled “natural” could still have parabens in them.

7. Hair Problems

With the rapidly changing trends in fashion, many hair fashion trends come along. Hair products like hair serums, hair gels, shampoos, hair sprays, and conditioners contain many harmful chemicals that give your hair the bright appearance you desire but end up killing your hair in the long run. Excess use of chemical-based hair products could lead to loss of hair, dandruff, thinning of hair, and even scalp redness. Prolonged use of hair color could as well lead to hair discoloration.

8. Premature Ageing

When you use cosmetic products for quite an extended period, the harmful chemicals present in them tend to permanently harm your skin. Soon you could begin to notice skin aging signs, e.g., patchiness or wrinkles on your body and face. While your makeup keeps hiding your skin flaws, its long-run effects could be anti-productive. Also, when you consider how big the anti-aging materials market is, cosmetic companies are left with no incentive to reduce these aging effects of makeup.

9. Cancer

Most of the chemical-based cosmetics found in the stores to date contain highly toxic ingredients that could lead to cancer. With several regulations in view, testing is now being done on the product ingredients before they can be sold. However, cosmetics industries need only to prove that no immediate damage results from the usage of their products. There are, therefore, no conclusive findings done on the long-term effects of these ingredients.

Check out for products with the following ingredients and avoid them;

• Formaldehyde-producing preservatives (e.g., Diazolidinyl urea, quaternion-15, DMDM, 2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol, and hydantoin) and formaldehyde itself.
• Coal tar
• Chromium
• Benzene
• Phenacetin
• Ethylene oxide
• Arsenic
• Quartz (or Crystalline silica)

10. Hormonal Imbalance

Prolonged skin application of cosmetics can leave some debilitating impacts on your endocrine system and, in turn, interfere with thyroid gland functioning. Triclosan, an often-used cosmetic chemical, is found in products such as body spray, deodorants, and acne-removal scrubs to keep them free of infections. With frequent use, triclosan is absorbed and stored in your body. This accumulation can affect your thyroid gland and thus leading to hormonal secretions imbalance. Thyroid related complications that could result from this include weight gain, depression, and headaches.

11. Lead to Unnecessary Addiction

A time like the one we are in, where the internet is all about creating a perfect image, the idea that anyone can look gorgeous without makeup has become foolish. Some people have a high and extreme dependency on cosmetic products and often avoid social interaction whenever they are not entirely made up. The dependence can, in turn, lead to psychological problems such as a reduction in self-esteem and self-confidence.

12. Skin Pigmentation

Skin products like moisturizers, sunscreens, creams, and toners contain active ingredients with high bleaching or darkening effects on the skin. Skincare products with low quality and unregulated ingredients can lead to skin pigmentation. The outcome could be pigmentation, patches, uneven skin tone, freckles, and redness. Although your skin is designed to protect you, you also have some protective roles to play on the skin to effectively carry out its duties. So cut down on the use of chemical products for your skincare routine.

Using chemical-based makeup regularly may expose your precious skin to permanent damage. The appropriate way to avoid these side effects of makeup is by limiting the use of cosmetics and turning to herbal products. Always remember to go through labels on any cosmetic product you buy for harmful chemicals.

13. Lead to Several Disease Conditions

Kajal is probably one of the most vital cosmetics used by every Indian girl and is something with which their appearance is conceived to be complete and perfect. However, this cosmetic, which is often applied to the eyes’ inner mucosa, can cause a lot of severe and harmful diseases. It can foster the development of toxic, chemical, and infective conjunctivitis. It may also trigger glaucoma, dry eye, and eye discoloration. If you wear lenses, the chemicals in makeup may damage the lenses and lead to thinning of eyelashes. Mascara can also lead to thinning of eyelashes; mascara has also been proved to cause blindness. It contains deadly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a very dangerous bacterium that is resistant to neither heat nor cold.

14. Acne

Most makeup-loving ladies must have experienced this irritating side effect. Your skin is as essential as every other body organ; therefore, you should let it breathe and grow. When you plaster your skin with makeup, you might end up clogging it. Some makeup which are in liquids and pastes forms clog the pores of your skin. In turn, this clogging leads to the development of blackheads, which, when not frequently wiped, can form acne. So ensure you always clean your makeup thoroughly with a good natural cleanser before bedtime.

15. Permanent Dark Circles

The skin around your eyes is rather too sensitive than other parts of your face, and it shows chemical effects sooner before other parts. Experts suggest the application of fewer cosmetics around the eyes as it may lead to bags below the eyes and dark circles. Dark circles are often not easy to erase. Dark circles create a horrible and endless effect on the skin, and in an attempt to hide dark circles, people tend to apply more layers of makeup and worsen the condition.