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The Ugly Truth About The Cosmetics You Are Using On Your Body

By on August 7, 2014
KILLER-COSMETICS

In this contemporary era, the field of cosmetics is a multi-million dollar industry that specializes in offering customers products designed to make them feel and look beautiful. Yet while attempting to optimize one’s appearance and confidence through the use of cosmetics can be a good thing, utilizing make-up to become more beautiful can also be dangerous. This is the case for several reasons, some of which appear below:

1. Parabens
Parabens are preservatives that are used in cosmetics for the purpose of preventing bacterial growth. The use of parabens in cosmetics is highly problematic for several reasons, including the fact that the chemical has been found within breast cancer tumors. Additionally, parabens have demonstrated a small yet significant ability to mimic the hormone estrogen, which has been shown to contribute to the development of breast cancer. Finally, parabens have been linked to DNA damage and skin aging.

2. Phthalates
Phthalates are chemicals used as a cosmetics solvent that enable other agents within the product to dissolve more efficiently during the process of creating the solution. Phthalates are dangerous because they are known to generate developmental and reproductive toxicity, and this can generate a host of health problems, including but not limited to cancer.

3. Triclosan
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that is believed to interfere with the function of hormones. Additionally, it can increase the rate at which individuals become susceptible to allergies and any uncomfortable symptoms associated with the condition. Triclosan is also capable of interfering with the health and vitality of the aquatic realm because it is not easily degradable, meaning that it is capable of passing from the drain of your shower into sewage systems that are connected to lakes and rivers. Finally, triclosan can contribute to resistance to antibiotics.

4. Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol is utilized as a conditioning agent, foaming agent, wetting agent, solvent, and detergent. Unfortunately, continual exposure to propylene glycol can generate buildup within an individual’s system and thereby contribute to headaches, nausea, skin irritation, and several other bodily issues.

5. Mineral oil (Petroleum)
Mineral oil is a type of moisturizing agent and is a component in the perfume formulation used in cosmetics. As a byproduct of gasoline distillation, mineral oil is capable of clogging pores and can also hamper lung function and thereby contribute to the onset of pneumonia.

6. Animal Testing
Yet another reason that cosmetics can be dangerous is that they are often tested on animals prior to being sold to humans. This practice is unethical, inhumane, and contributes to the misappropriation of one of the earth’s most valuable natural resources-animals. What makes the use of animal testing on cosmetics particularly damning is the fact that several companies utilize tests that are not required by law. Some of the tests include:

  • eye irritation tests in which chemicals are dripped into the orbs of rabbits without providing the creatures with any sort of pain relief
  • force-feeding studies in which animals are provided food for the purpose of determining when signs of illness, birth defects, or debilitating diseases such as cancer appear
  • “lethal dose” tests in which the animals are made to ingest copious amounts of testing chemicals to determine what dosage will cause death

After the inhumane testing period, animals are cruelly killed through processes such as decapitation, neck-breaking or asphyxiation.

Healthy Alternatives
Although the aforementioned information regarding the dangers of the cosmetics many women and men may seem overwhelming and depressing, it doesn’t have to be! In fact, there are a plethora of healthy cosmetics companies out there, and these business representatives are excited about being able to offer consumers products that promote wellness and kindness to animals. There are a panoply of vegan-based cosmetic companies that you can select from, and some of them include:

  • 2nd Love Cosmetics
  • Alexami Cosmetics
  • Better Botanicals
  • Gluten Free Beauty
  • Handmade Natural Beauty
  • Opulence Cosmetics
  • Painted Lips

Investing in vegan-based cosmetics companies is a prudent decision for many reasons, including the fact that it means your dollars are not contributing to the perpetuation of animal cruelty. Additionally, vegan-based cosmetics companies are oftentimes sensitive to the potentially deadly danger of using chemicals in their products. For this reason, many of these companies produce products that are chemical-free in addition to being cruelty-free.

Conclusion
If you are serious about living a life marked by profound wellness so that you can be as productive and positive as possible, you should know that you can begin by examining the cosmetics that you currently use. In recognizing that many cosmetics contain chemicals that could kill you, it is important to understand that healthier alternatives exist. It is equally important to understand that many beauty companies are committed to the avoidance of animal testing out of respect for the environment and belief in the value of all life-including animal life. Thus if you are interested in leading a cruelty-free, healthy life, consider investing in the cosmetics products offered by some of the aforementioned companies. In so doing, you can look forward to a much healthier, happier existence!

The Ugly Truth About The Cosmetics You Are Using On Your Body

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