Cosmetics are supposed to help women look beautiful, and they do it too!
Do you know what else are they doing?
Well, these products are often so full of harmful synthetic chemicals that they could leave you with unsightly skin conditions if there is a prolonged and excessive use.
Yes, most makeup products and cosmetics are terribly harsh on your skin and numerous studies report that they are carcinogenic. Moreover, cosmetics and makeup can inhibit your skin from breathing and can harbour bacteria and help external impurities causing skin problems.
So…we give you a list of 7 cosmetic and makeup products that can cause significant harm to your skin and body and you must replace them with sensible stuff – the list is by no means complete; it is just the tip of the iceberg!
1. Lipsticks
Lipstick dries the moisture out of your lips; whereas, Ayurvedic lip balms are better. Therefore, if you want bright colour lips, use lip-balm first, then put lipstick on top. Some lipsticks and lip- glosses contain oils and chemicals that can damage your lips rather than help them look beautiful. Lead is sometimes found in harmful amounts in red lipsticks. Health problems associated with lead ingestion are brain damage and behaviour abnormalities Many of the lead’s side effects are irreversible. Mineral Oil found in lipsticks acts like a second nonporous skin, blocking the real skin’s pores, and can interfere with skin cell development and proper functioning. The discolouration of lips and parched lips are the signs of excessive use of lipsticks!
Replace your dark coloured lipsticks with lip balms, or if at all there is a dire need to use them, make sure you make a strong base of healthy lip balm on your lips before you put them on. Leave you lips nude when makeup isnot required. Use some homemade lip-packs for 15-20 minutes every day.
2. Chemical Moisturisers
It is a fact that, sun damage and pollution ruin your skin so it is good to wear a ‘good’ moisturiser to block the UV sunrays and harmful pollutants away from your face. Nonetheless, moisturisers and creams that contain mineral oil and paraffin have been clinically shown harmful to the skin barrier and increase moisture loss from the skin. Virtually all the popular cosmetic moisturizers and emollients sold by skin care companies contain high concentrations of detergents and detergent-like chemicals that damage the skin and degrade the skin’s natural protective function. The frequent use of moisturisers by most of us (in order to obtain a smooth, radiant and young-looking skin), results in the body absorbing and assimilating the harmful synthetic chemical ingredients of these products that can damage the skin, exacerbating skin problems instead of enhancing the skin’s beauty and health.
You need to replace your chemical based moisturisers with the products that contain vegetable oils. Particularly oils high in gamma linoleic acid that effectively suppresses inflammation. A good moisturiser should be made of water, hydrosols, plant oils, and emulsifiers. Using natural products, you can maintain the beauty of your face for long, without subjecting it to harmful products.
3. Wax Based Kajal
Kajal and Surma are traditional Indian cosmetic preparations used to adorn beautiful eyes. However, Kajal pencils available in the market can have numerous adverse effects on the eyes; for example, development of chemical, toxic and infective conjunctivitis, uveitis, glaucoma, dry eye and conjunctiva discoloration. Hence, it is best to avoid the use of kajal and surma or any makeup that goes inside the eye. No eye makeup should be used during any eye infection, injury, surgery, etc. Furthermore, the tissue around the eyes dries out as you get older; rendering the eye shadow as the worst offender!
Replace your Kajal with a good brand waterproof eyeliner which you must use only on the outer lines of your eyes! Never put eye-makeup that has chances to go inside the eye. Especially, powder makeup.
4. Nail Polish
If you are wearing a lot of heavy, dark and shimmering nail polish on your nails, because you love to decorate your nails and get that glamorous look, you must be wondering if it will ruin your skin and nails in any way. The answer is – if you use harsh colours like red or black, also if you wear it every day – all the time, then YES they’ll be ruined. Dark polishes could stain your nails and turn them yellow. Furthermore, when your nail polish has acetone it means that it is more likely to weaken and damage your nail strength because it is a harsh chemical.
Replace darker shades with light natural ones (use certified brands) and make sure you do not use any nail paint at all when not required and let your nails breathe.
5. Bleach Creams
Skin bleaching is popular with darker-skinned folks to obtain a fairer and even skin tone. Hydroquinone cream, the most common type of skin bleach can result in undesirable effects and significant skin damage. Hydroquinone is a fairly caustic substance with known adverse effects on the skin, including redness, peeling, a rash, dryness and burning where you’ve applied the cream. Strong chemical bleach breaks down the oils that are supposed to keep your skin soft and supple and prevent formation of wrinkles.
If at all skin whitening is imperative to you, use skin lightening and brightening products that contain natural ingredients such as, organic herbal extracts and essential oils. Many Ayurveda beauty products manufacturing companies offer such products. Replace your bleach right away.
6. Hair Removing Wax
Waxing for hair removal has its drawbacks; some people experience ingrown hairs, red bumps, and minor bleeding. Waxing on face causes the skin to sag earlier than it normally would as it pulls your skin and is harsh. Facial skin is very delicate and waxing will only damage it. Waxing with waxing strips can be painful when the strip is removed from the skin and can cause infection if the skin gets bruised. The wax strip may disturb hair follicles, causing hair to begin to grow in different directions.
Replace your waxing routine with herbal hair removal creams. Make a thorough research on the companies selling herbal hair removal products and find out the ingredients they are using.
7. Deodorants, Antiperspirants and Chemical Based Perfumes
Scientific studies have shown that the ingredients in deodorants and antiperspirants are harmful for your skin and body. It is a fact that deodorants cause irritation (because of alcohol) and redness which leads to itching and eventually pigmentation of the skin. The harmful effects of antiperspirants are greater than deodorants due to aluminum compounds in antiperspirants that block the sweat glands and can lead to conditions like contact dermatitis and allergies. Sweat glands discharge the waste from our body as sweat and if the waste is not being discharged from the body, it is unhealthy. Also, chemicals present in fabric softeners, laundry detergents, perfumes, personal care products, air fresheners and many other products contribute to health and environmental problems.
If you like to use fragrances, you must replace your chemical deo sprays and perfumes with natural or herbal based ones and use them only when there is a need. Itar (organic handmade fragrances) are a good option.
Chemicals, heavy metals, bacteria, and other hazardous ingredients are turning up in makeup, skin creams, and many hair styling products.
The best is to stay natural with the minimal use of beauty products. Only when there is an absolute necessity, should one subject self to harmful chemicals, or better still, invest in natural and herbal products.
Happy living to you.
Keep reading Youngisthan 🙂
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