The Price of Beauty

Every woman wants the latest Beauty product that promises to knock years of us. But could our daily beauty regime be costing more than we realize. Do we actually know what we put on our faces daily and what effects this could be having on the body as a whole.

I did some research and was startled to see how man chemicals we use each day in the most basic of products and what’s more the average woman puts over five pounds of chemicals in to her body each years using these goods.

Know Your Chemicals.

First off… Parabens

Also known as Ethyl paraben, methyl paraben, propyl paraben and butyl paraben.

What are they used for? Parabens are a group of chemicals found in all kinds of beauty and cleaning products – including baby products – from shampoos to shaving gels to deodorants

Why are they used? They are effective and cheap preservatives

What’s bad about them? Linked to breast cancer, tested on animals. Can aggravate existing skin allergies and irritate normal skin, too

Verdict Avoid if you can, particularly if you are pregnant

Sodium Laureth Sulphate

Also known as Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES); Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS)

What is it used for? Cleaners, detergents, soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, bubble bath.

Why is it used? Because it’s cheap, and it foams up well. People like bubbles and froth!

What’s bad about it? Can irritate your skin and is thought to give some people mouth ulcers; also thought to be carcinogenic

Verdict Avoid if you can, particularly if you are pregnant

Petroleum / Mineral oil

What are they used for? Petroleum is used for fuel, and is also the raw material for lots of other chemical products, including fertilisers, lubricants and solvents

Why are they used? Cheap by-product, makes a smooth paste base for cosmetic and beauty products

What’s bad about them? They are essentially sealants. Ever seen oil floating on water? That’s what mineral oil does to your skin. It sits on top of it and stops it from breathing.

Verdict You may want to swap your Vaseline for an alternative.

Collagen

What is it? An insoluble animal protein found in connective tissue; in cosmetic products, it’s usually made up from ground-up chicken’s feet and beaks.(It’s probably more expensive and ethically troublesome to harvest it from human beings)

What is it used for? Face creams, masks, filler creams, lip injections

Why is it used? Because it is an animal product found naturally in your body; as it degrades in your skin, you get wrinkles

What’s bad about them? Didn’t you read the first bit? it’s made of chicken’s feet and beaks! Oh, and it isn’t great at letting your skin breathe

Verdict Use it advisedly

AHAs

Also known as Alpha Hydroxy Acid; Glycolic acid; Lactic acid; Citric acid; Tartaric acid; Malic acid

What is it? AHAs are naturally occurring carboxylic acids (so now you know)

What are they used for Anti-ageing creams, moisturisers, chemical peels

What’s bad about them? They’re proven to be effective in improving the look and feel of your skin UNLESS your skin takes against them, in which case they can cause minor skin inflammation and flaking. Chemical peels can cause blisters or burning, although this shouldn’t last. AHAs can make your skin sensitive to the sun and light in the short term

Verdict Use with care

But the most alarming evidence is traces of the above Chemicals have been found in Breast Cancer Tissue, but the link with cancer is hotly disputed. So next time you buy a beauty product take a peek at the label and see what’s in it. But there are alternatives and cheep ones to, make your own beauty products or buy organic products which cost no more to buy.