Image Source: FreePik
Have you ever taken a close look at what’s in your personal care products like shampoos and lotions? If so, you may want to tread lightly when doing so. Recently, scientists have been discovering more and more harmful chemicals in mass-produced personal care products. Below, we’ve provided you with a breakdown of why you shouldn’t use mass-produced personal care products and why you should use natural products instead.
Lack Of Regulation In The Cosmetics Industry
One of the most significant problems with mass-produced personal care products is that there is a lack of regulation in the United States. Northwestern University resident physician in dermatology Steve Xu told National Public Radio, “You can start making a cosmetic and start selling it the next day without any kind of permission from the FDA.”
If you notice that your product causes an adverse reaction, you could report the incident to the manufacturer or the Food and Drug Administration. Unfortunately, many of these complaints fall on deaf ears. Manufacturers may offer you coupons for other products and apologize for the inconvenience. But because they’re mass-producing these products, they’re likely doing little to identify and correct the problem.
The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, a division of the FDA, recently released information about all of the documented adverse effects that occurred as the result of food or cosmetics since 2004. The three most commonly-reported sources of problems were:
- Skin care products
- Hair care products
- Tattoos
For further proof about the issues in the cosmetics industry, consider WEN by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioners. Many people alleged that the product caused skin irritation or hair loss, eventually causing the FDA to investigate the product. The FDA had received roughly 125 complaints about the product, but the manufacturer received more than 21,000. Since the manufacturer isn’t obligated to report these incidents to the FDA, there were no repercussions.
What Chemicals Are In Mass-Produced Products?
If you use mass-produced products in your home, you’re exposing your family to a tremendous amount of toxins and chemicals. Researchers found that you’re exposed to more than one hundred chemicals each morning before you leave for work or school by using products such as soaps and cosmetics. Unfortunately, many people use these products without ever thinking twice about the harm they’re doing to their bodies. The most common chemicals in these products are:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Synthetic colors
There are numerous problems linked to these three chemicals. Parabens are a common preservative, but more and more researchers have begun paying attention to the harmful effects that they have. Dr. Arthur Rich, a cosmetic chemist, told Real Simple, “About 85 percent of cosmetics have them. They’re inexpensive and effective.”
Unfortunately, in the 1990s, scientists discovered that parabens mimicked estrogen in the body, eventually leading to the growth of cancerous tumors in breast tissue. Many people also fear that your body stores parabens, meaning that you may not see the harmful effects of using them until years after the fact.
Phthalates are another chemical commonly found in cosmetic products. They are just as concerning as parabens. Manufacturers use phthalates as binding agents and to make plastics more flexible. Studies have linked phthalates to things such as:
- Asthma
- Breast cancer
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Obesity
- Low IQ
- Type II diabetes
- Neurodevelopmental and behavioral issues
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Male fertility issues
You won’t see phthalates listed on your label under that name. Phthalates represent a large class of chemicals, covering everything from “butyl benzyl phthalate” to “dipentyl phthalate”. Unfortunately, not every phthalate has been studied, meaning that your mass-produced cosmetics could be causing health issues of which researchers are not yet aware.
Lastly, there are problems associated with artificial colors as well. The three most commonly-used synthetic dyes are Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. Unfortunately, researchers have linked these to everything from cancer to learning impairments. One British study found that children who consumed a blend of these dyes exhibited ADHD symptoms within one hour of consumption, even though they had never been diagnosed in the past.
Do You Really Know What’s In Your Personal Care Products?
Image Source: Pexels
Are you someone who purchases personal care products without reading the label? If you do read the label, do you research each chemical in the product? And, do you trust that every chemical in the product is listed on the label?
Unless the answer to all three of these questions is, “Yes,” you should consider converting to natural products. Natural cosmetic and skin care products are made with pure ingredients, free of harmful chemicals and toxins. These products don’t contain more than a couple of elements. Each ingredient is entirely natural and safe to use.
Using natural products can provide you with peace of mind. You can trust that you and your family are safe from chemicals that could be life-altering. Because the FDA does not regulate mass-produced products, there is simply no way to trust the products put out by big-name manufacturers fully.
Furthermore, you can trust that the fragrances in natural products are 100 percent natural as well. This is not the case with mass-produced products, which use artificial chemicals to achieve “authentic” scents. When using natural products, the smells come directly from the source. This too should provide you with peace of mind.
Lastly, you’ll find that using natural products will leave your skin and hair feeling softer and healthier. These products are much gentler on the skin because they do not contain harsh chemicals. Consider the fact that 60 percent of what we apply to our skin is absorbed. Why would you not want to use products that were safe and all-natural? (See also: Everything You Should Know About Natural Skin Care)
About Utama Spice
At Utama Spice, we seek to inspire our customers by using the raw power of nature. We use products that are only 100% pure and natural. For more than three decades, we’ve used the fantastic herbal knowledge and traditions of Bali to deliver exceptional products to our customers. We invite you to check out the News Section of our website for the latest product updates and reviews.
