7 "dangerous" Ingredients In Cosmetics That Are Actually Harmless

Being selective when choosing beauty products never hurts. However, sometimes we go too far and form a prejudice against substances that in themselves do not pose a threat to human health. Together with the dermatovenerologist of the TORI clinic of aesthetic medicine, Maria Nugzarevna Chamurlieva, we decided to dot the i's and talk frankly about the most famous ingredients in cosmetics.

Parabens

Parabens are derivatives of benzoic acid that are used as preservatives in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. By the way, benzoic acid is a natural compound found in many fruits and berries: raspberries, lingonberries, cranberries, blueberries, blueberries. It is also formed in many fermented milk products such as yogurt, yogurt, fermented baked milk.

The presence of benzoic acid in natural products just speaks of its complete safety and non-toxicity. And for many it becomes a real discovery that parabens are not artificial compounds invented by scientists, but the most natural substances.

Parabens are used not only in cosmetics but also in the food industry. As you know, the higher their concentration, the longer the shelf life. The European Consumer Protection Committee and other organizations around the world have established that methylparaben and ethylparaben are absolutely safe, and their presence is allowed in cosmetic products (but their total concentration should not exceed 0.8%).

It is also important to note that parabens are approved for use in all countries of the world and even in Japan, where, by the way, the most stringent legislation regarding the health of the nation.

Diazodinyl-urea

Like parabens, these substances are preservatives. They are called formaldehyde derivatives because they produce formaldehyde ions in the formula, which quickly kills germs.

Formaldehyde is considered by many to be a scary ingredient that causes irritation, gene mutation and cancer. But formaldehyde donors are not the same as formaldehyde, and their amount in cosmetics is well regulated to ensure that it is safe to use, even for people with sensitive skin. And the safety of their use is already a matter of concentration and propensity to allergies.

Petrolatum

This is a familiar ingredient that has been used for a long time to moisturize the skin and in styling products. But many consider it useless and even harmful.

Mineral oil

On the basis of mineral oil, massage creams, lipsticks, tonal bases, gels, and tonics for removing makeup are produced. Mineral oil is added to cosmetics to extend shelf life, provide glide and texture viscosity. Mineral cosmetics have a drying effect, while the neutralizing effect of mineral oil is due to its ability to enhance the effect of other ingredients.

Supporters of herbal cosmetics write about the dangers of mineral oil, but most of the arguments about the negative effects are often unfounded. Specialists in the field of chemistry and biology conducted numerous experiments and concluded that mineral oil is not the cause of negative reactions in the human body and does not have a negative effect on its health.

Propylene glycol

In cosmetics, propylene glycol acts as a moisturizer. It is believed that it causes acne, dries up and dehydrates the skin, accumulates in the liver and kidneys, disrupts cellular metabolism and causes allergies - in general, it is a poison (see also: "How to tell if you have a seasonal allergy").

Nevertheless, according to FDA scientists, propylene glycol is not dangerous, and experts even awarded it with GRAS status, meaning that even when consumed, it is harmless. Labels indicate: Thylene Glycol (EG), Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol (BG).

Glycerol

It is believed that glycerin dries out the skin by “pulling” water from its deep layers. However, due to the fact that glycerin continues to be used both in medicine and in cosmetics, the question of its harm is still open.

Glycerin belongs to a group of substances that are hygroscopic (i.e. absorb moisture) and promote the accumulation of fluid. With its small size and the ability to "bind" ten water molecules at a time, it penetrates well into the epidermis, contributes to the saturation of all layers of the skin, that is, deeply moisturizes it.

That is why glycerin cannot dry the skin either from the inside or from the outside. The dehydration process is apparently only possible if you try to apply non-water (i.e. pure) glycerin to your skin. But in cosmetics, glycerin is never used in pure form, but only in diluted form (its concentration in cosmetic preparations intended for permanent use reaches approximately 5–7%).

Talc

Talc is a fine-grained or fine-fibrous mineral that easily stratifies into plates, so it is quite simply crushed to a powder. It is often used as a filler in cleansing and sunscreens, in showers and shaving products, and in soaps (see also: "How to choose the right sunscreen?"). It helps the easy glide of the detergent surfactants on the skin surface and stabilizes the structure of the liquid. Manufacturers also claim that it has anti-inflammatory effects.

However, it is believed that talcum powder can cause serious harm to the body if it is constantly inhaled. Such a component can cause the development of talcosis - a benign degeneration of lung tissue. However, there is no asbestos-form fiber in cosmetic talc.

In theory, talc can contain hazardous lead and heavy metals. However, this problem is successfully solved by control over raw materials. Therefore, it is worth purchasing body powders only from trusted manufacturers that have proven themselves well on the market.

Also, quite often there are publications on the carcinogenic properties of talc, that is, its ability to provoke the development of cancer. However, this theory has not been proven.