5 Common Beauty Products That Are Actually Bad For You

By Alexia Gonzalez on August 25, 2015

Hate to break it to you ladies, but the reality is that some of your preferred beauty products may actually be causing you more harm than they are beauty.

Not to be a negative Nancy, but there might be horrible chemicals in practically every beauty product you use that could seep into your bloodstream and build up toxicity over time.

If you’re even slightly the paranoid type, this information is enough to make you want to revamp that makeup drawer.

You might actually be more likely to absorb dangerous chemicals directly into your bloodstream through your skin than if you were to ingest them. If you’re not convinced, the common occurrence of systemic side effects when using prescribed topically applied ointments is indicative of high absorption through the skin.

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For many of these controversial ingredients, the FDA claims that the amount in products is not significant enough to actually do any harm, but with breast cancer rates up higher than ever, you can never be too safe.

Here are the top 5 most harmful beauty products that you should definitely rethink using habitually.

1. Permanent/Temporary Hair Dyes

Several studies have linked longtime hair dye use to bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Researchers found that rodents that were fed these compounds from coal-tar in certain hair dyes were more likely to develop cancer than rodents that were not fed these compounds. Read more about it here.

For a more holistic alternative to changing up your hair color try lemon juice for lightening your color and tea to cover up roots or grays.

2. High Pigmented Eye Makeup

Toxic aluminum powder can actually be found in popular products like Nars eye shadow, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On eye pencil, and Yves Saint Laurent’s Everlong waterproof mascara. According to the Environmental Working Group, aluminum powder allegedly shows strong linkage to neurotoxicity and cancer. However, the FDA has deemed it safe as an ingredient in cosmetics.

To avoid the absorption of aluminum powder through some of your favorite eye products, check out Real Purity eyeshadow duos, which score fairly well on the EDW Skin Deep database.

3. Nail Polish

You’re probably aware of the toxicity of nail polish by the fumes, the flammability, and the fact that you should always apply nail polish in a well-ventilated area. The three offending chemicals are: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde.

Despite the fact that many big-name nail polishes have agreed to remove the “Toxic Three,” tests show that a majority of them still contain the dangerous chemicals. So the next time that you’re thinking of getting a manicure, try a water-based nail polish like Acquarella or Honeybee Gardens.

4. Perfumes

The average mainstream perfume product might contain up to 14 secret ingredients, but due to a loophole in the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973, perfume brands are not required to list them. Some common perfume ingredients are chemicals that have been associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions.

Many of these chemicals have also not been tested for safety. Smelly people who apply too much cologne or perfume can trigger asthma, migraines, and nausea in those with chemical sensitivities. Some lawmakers and employers are even considering perfume bans.

By the way, you should also probably avoid any product that has the generic umbrella term “fragrance” in its ingredient list. This sadly rules out pretty much every nice-smelling product you own. Goodbye, St. Ives Apricot Scrub and Chanel face cream.

5. Keratin Hair Straighteners/Brazilian Blowouts

Even if a label claims a keratin product is “formaldehyde-free,” many keratin-based hair straighteners were actually found to still contain substantial amounts of the cancer-causing chemical. Also, if formaldehyde is sprayed into the eyes, it can cause blindness.

The FDA has only recently claimed that Brazilian blowouts can be dangerous, and has issued a warning rather than declaring a recall. Watch out for an ingredient called “methylene glycol,” which is basically just formaldehyde mixed with water. It’s how companies get away with calling their products “formaldehyde-free.”

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