Watch Out For These HARMFUL Chemicals!

How many do I actually understand? ... Ooh water!

Sure, this is a Body Shop product and they boast of natural ingredients. And yes, I agree that they do have natural ingredients in them. & that's good. But along with those natural ingredients, what we don't see, is the number of other harmful chemicals used to manufacture the product.

How often do we come across a product that's 100% natural nowadays? We don't. Every product needs a preservative (except maybe some Lush products). Basically, without chemicals, a product simply won't function as good as it does. Some chemicals don't harm you. But what are the chemicals that WILL harm you in the long time coming?

1. PARABENS

This is the most well-known chemical that is harmful to the skin. Parabens are used to preserve products and for their bactericidal properties. A small amount of this chemical has been found in breast cancer tumours but no direct links between the two has been published. Parabens are also known to mimic oestrogen, and causes early puberty in girls.

2. Formaldehyde, Toulene & Dibutyl Phthalate

These are mostly, if not all found in nail polishes. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer, eye irritation, immune system damage and may even trigger asthma. Long term use of Toulene may harm the kidneys, liver, eyes and hearing ability. High inhalation of Dibutyl Phthalate can cause dizziness, eye irritation and headaches. In the long run, Dibutyl Phthalate is suspected to cause cancer, mutations and birth defects. 

Look for nail polishes that are 3-Free! They don't contain any of the harmful chemicals mentioned above.

3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is the chemical most commonly found in shampoos and body washes. This is used to create foam and lather. This chemical can irritate skin and eyes. Although it has not been proven to be carcinogenic, many have stated otherwise. The presence of SLS can also be the sign of presence of other carcinogenic chemicals.

4. Fragrance

Fragrance found in beauty products are mostly poisonous. This can trigger allergies and migraines. In some lab experiments, some fragrances have been found to be linked to cancer. Fragrance has also been known to cause sperm damage in men. 

Many brands now offer products free from Parabens. Buy these instead! 

These brands include:

Naruko

St. Ives

Burt's Bees

Lush

... and many more!

When buying nail polish, look for 3 Free nail polishes! 

These brands include:

Butter London

China Glaze

Color Club

Jordana

Wet N Wild

So the next time you're looking for a new beauty product, be sure to check the label before buying! I know that some harmful chemicals seem to be in everything but TRY your best to stay away from these harmful chemicals.

What are your favourite brands free from harmful chemicals?