Harmful Chemicals

Have you ever wondered what some of the chemicals in your everyday products do to your skin? Below is a list of the chemicals that are found in beauty products on the market, with surprising results. 

Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - The two sodium's are found in products that lather up like shower gels, toothpaste and shampoo. The chemical is a skin irritant, yet when looking through the products in my own shower most of them had one or both of the sodium's in them. Even the products that are regarded as products to help with conditions such as eczema. 

Triclosan - Found in hand sanitisers and deodorants, Triclosan is an environmental toxicant. Therefore the chemicals found in everyday products not only effect our skin, but they also effect the environment. I never gave any thought that my deodorant, or anti-bacterial products could be effecting the environment. 

Silicone Chemicals - Silicone chemicals found in moisturisers and other cosmetics is a skin irritant and also harmful to the environment. Once again, I did not realise that my moisturiser could be effecting the environment or my skin. Moisturisers are there to look after the skin and maintain the moisture level, so it is surprising to see that most have silicone chemicals in them that irritate the skin. Once again leading brands that focus on helping people with problem skin have put these harmful chemicals into their products. 

Parabens - Found in moisturisers and cosmetics, the parabens are an allergen, a male reproductive toxicant and also a immune toxicant! 

Petrolatum - Found in lip products and moisturisers, the petrolatum is an allergen and skin irritant. This explains why lip products are used so much because they make dry lips better for a little bit until the product wears off meaning consumers become reliant on the product, which is actually harmful. Green people UK do a really good alternative to lip products like Vaseline. Although it doesn't taste that great, it works, and isn't harmful to your skin or the environment. 

Overall, it is shocking to see that these products are allowed into products that come into contact with our skin everyday. Albeit they are in small quantity's, but the harmful chemicals are still there. Not only do they go on our skin and get absorbed, but they also go down the drain into our water systems which was an aspect I never really thought about. If everyone is using these products that have harmful chemicals in them than that is a large quantity going into the environment. Learning the difference between chemicals has made me aware of what I use on my skin and I now currently actively seek out products that are organically made. The aim of my final major project is to inform other people of the chemicals that are in their products and make them aware that there are alternatives out there, especially with makeup. 

Although this is a short list of the chemicals found in products, there are many more that are harmful to the skin and the environment. To avoid harm to the skin it is so much better to use organic products that are better for your skin and the environment.