When a person uses cosmetics, their skin absorbs chemicals, which can then enter the bloodstream. People might also inhale powders or ingest some cosmetics — by using lip products, for example. Certain chemicals present in makeup and other cosmetic products can contain ingredients that researchers have linked to serious health concerns. Some of these health concerns include: cancer endocrine disorders, which affect the production of hormones in the body developmental delays neurological problems
Talc:
This is a mineral and is closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos. Talc particles have shown up in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims. A strong link exists between the frequent use of talc in the female genital area and ovarian cancer. Talc poses a strong risk when exposed to the lungs. Talc miners have shown higher rates of cancer and other respiratory illnesses from exposure. A 1993 national toxicology report found cosmetic grade talc, without any asbestos-like fibers, caused tumors in animal subjects. Cosmetic-grade talc is not regulated by the government.
Bismuth Oxychloride:
This ingredient is often used in mineral make-up formulations because it gives a pearlescent sheen to the make-up. Unfortunately, for those with sensitive skin, acne, and/or rosacea, bismuth oxychloride can aggravate and irritate the condition. It can also enlarge pore size permanently. The chemical structure is similar to arsenic (in its unrefined form) and must go through several processes before it is deemed safe for use on the skin.It is the by-product of copper and leads to refinement.
Due to its weightiness, it is commonly used as filler so that the finished product will weigh more on the scale.
It commonly irritates (itching and breakouts) and can cause pores to become clogged.
FDC Lakes and Dyes:
Some studies have shown that dyes/lakes have a neurotoxic effect on the brain.
Parabens: (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben.)
These are chemical preservatives that have been identified as estrogenic and disruptive of normal hormone function. Estrogenic chemicals mimic the function of the naturally occurring hormone estrogen, and exposure to external estrogens has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer.
Propylene Glycol: (PG), Polyethylene Glycol, and Ethylene Glycol (EG)
They are both petroleum derivatives that act as solvents, surfactants, and wetting agents. They can easily penetrate the skin and can weaken the protein and the cellular structure. PG penetrates the skin so quickly that the EPA warns factory workers to avoid skin contact to prevent brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. Propylene Glycol is what is used to carry the “active” ingredients in those transdermal patches into your body. Propylene Glycol may be harmful by ingestion or skin absorption. It may cause eye and skin irritation. Chronic exposure can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea, headache, vomiting, and central nervous system depression. It has been linked to contact dermatitis, autotoxicity, kidney damage, and liver abnormalities. It is toxic to human cells in cultures. PG has been shown to inhibit cell growth in human testes and cell respiration in animal tests and to cause skin dehydration and chronic surface damage to the skin.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate:
(SLS) is a harsh (caustic) detergent, also known as a surfactant, which breaks down the surface tension of water. It can damage the outer layer of the skin, the stratum corium, causing dryness, roughness, scaliness, fissuring, loss of flexibility, and reduction of the barrier damage to the moisture-retaining ability of the cellular level resulting in water loss and loss of water binding ability.