The personal care products and cosmetics industry is a very large industry, with a size of $6 billion today. And we all use these products to some extent. The cosmetics industry is a sector where harmful chemicals are used a lot.
But there is a disturbing truth: these products we use every day contain harmful chemicals. And these chemicals harm us much more than we think.
Heather White, who is interested in the subject, is the director of the Environmental Working Group in the USA. Their research revealed that 34 percent of the chemicals used in the cosmetics industry cause cancer, 45 percent negatively affect fertility, and 60 percent interfere with the estrogen hormone. In other words, these chemicals pollute not only the water or the air, but also our bodies. The results of another study conducted by White and her team in 2004 are even more shocking. According to the results of this study, the effects of industrial chemical pollution begin to be seen while still in the womb. The newborn babies examined as part of the research were found to have many chemicals in their bodies, including some that were banned 30 years ago. It is known that these chemicals include those used in the cosmetics industry.
Harmful chemicals are also known to have the most common effects of lowering sperm count in men, altering sex hormones in children, and affecting thyroid hormones in adults.
Why choose natural personal care products?
There are actually many answers to this question. For example, personal care products produced under industrial conditions cause a lot of damage to nature until they reach us. In addition to the petrochemical products used in production mixing into the air, water and soil, unfortunately many personal care products are still tested on animals today. We can list such effects among the macro effects of personal care products produced under industrial conditions.
In addition to these types of damage, these products also have direct effects on human health. For example, personal care products sold in bottles or tubes containing BPA, containing many chemicals such as alcohol and paraben are considered to be the cause of many diseases today. For example, an ingredient called triclosan, which we can find in antibacterial products, causes the death of beneficial bacteria in the body and therefore damages the immune system. Again, the carcinogenic effects of additives such as BHA and BHT , which are banned in Europe, have been documented.
You can contact us for Natural Cosmetics Training.
Most people apply creams almost every day. However, many people apply them directly to their skin without paying attention to the ingredients in the creams. This can damage your skin and even cause wrinkles. Therefore, you should make sure that the creams are natural and do not contain risky chemicals. At the same time, you should use products according to your skin type. Otherwise, your skin may be damaged.
It is extremely important that the creams are suitable for your skin type. Each person's skin type is unique. Most people are sensitive and prone to skin disorders. Therefore, you should not use creams unconsciously.
Most of the standard chemicals found in the cream are:
Water, Glycerin, C12, 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Borate, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, TEA, Allantoin, Propylene Glycol, EDTA, Methyl Paraben, Quince Extract, Propyl Paraben, Menthol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyl Paraben, Potassium sorbate,
Although sun rays have benefits such as activating vitamin D and providing physical and mental energy, they are quite risky for the skin and eyes in terms of ultraviolet (UV) rays. There are different types of UV. These are:
UV-C (200-280 nm),
UV-B (280-320 nm),
UV-A (320-400 nm).
UV-C is the most biologically damaging type of radiation, but it is filtered out by the ozone layer.
UV
Oxidative stress means that the amount of free radicals in the body exceeds the normal amount. Free Radical
This situation, which may have negative consequences in terms of genetics, epigenetics and reaction balance at the molecular level, may also lead to other health problems through the mentioned pathways.
What is SPF?
SPF, which is the first letters of the term Sun Protection Factor.
The most preferred sunscreen products are SPF30 and SPF50.
If you will be exposed to the sun at noon, it is recommended that you use products with SPF 50 and above.
Contrary to popular belief, sun protection factor, also known as SPF, does not represent the protective effect of the products but their duration of protection.
Professor Isaac Pessa from the University of California claims that a woman who wears make-up swallows 1.5 kg of lipstick throughout her life. Many chemicals are used in lipsticks to provide properties such as giving a pleasant taste (saccharin solutions), providing opacity (titanium dioxide), giving color, and giving a pleasant smell (essences). More importantly, it also contains LEAD, a heavy metal.
Lead is a heavy metal that is harmful to all of us, especially pregnant women and children, and is found in lipsticks, eye shadows and many colored cosmetics to adjust color. The average amount of lead in the human body is around 125-200 mg. Lead is among the metals that cause the most damage to human metabolism and the ecological environment.
It is found in lipsticks, foundations, nail polishes, and tooth whitening pastes. According to the World Health Organization, lead is a class 2 carcinogen. Lead accumulated in bones dissolves over time and causes damage to the kidneys. Lead is a type of neurotoxin and can cause abnormal brain and nervous system functions.
There are many products such as shampoo, hair creams, hair protector, color protector for dyed hair. As a result of a research, it has been revealed that hair care products are detrimental to our lives. In particular, the substance named formaldehyde, allegedly found in shampoos, was added to the list of carcinogens.
Let's look at the chemicals in the shampoos ...
Water:
The first item on the shampoo label. It forms a base and allows all other chemicals to remain together. Mostly 80 percent of shampoos are made up of water. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate / Ammonium Laureth Sulfate / Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: All three substances are available in almost all liquid soaps and detergents, and they dissolve the oils, leaving the dirt free. Cocamide DEA MEA or TEA / Cocamidopropyl Betaine: These chemicals, which have less dirt dissolving properties than Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate / Ammonium Laureth Sulfate / Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, cause foaming and thickening of shampoo and easy to pour.
Sodium Citrate:
The main task of this substance is to keep the PH level in the shampoo constant and to protect the health and shine of the hair.
Glycol Distearate / Streate:
The most important feature of these two items is to give the shampoo (except those in transparent color) that pearlescent nice color and pleasant consistency.
Polyquaternium/Quaternium:
These softening agents are also found in some fabric softeners, making it easier for the hair to become soft after washing and also giving the shampoo a texture.
Dimethicone / Cyclomethicone:
Special silicone oils make hair slippery, shine and help combing much easier after bathing.
Pantenol:
Panthenol, which is a vitamin B derivative and found in some shampoos, does not only stay on the surface of the hair, but also makes it look more moist and swollen. Hair is thus getting healthier.
SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate):
It performs the foaming function. It can disturb the skin's fat balance, causing irritation to the skin and eyes, and adversely affects the immune system.
Paraben:
It is used to extend the shelf life. Causes eczema-type irritation and allergic reactions on the skin. Paraben, a derivative of benzoic acid, is a toxic and toxic substance. Moreover, it can mimic estrogen in the body. It has been proven by many scientific studies that it causes breast cancer. Types: methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl… Formaldehyde: It enters the body through breathing, digestion and a small amount of skin and affects the person differently according to its sensitivity. Most of them; symptoms related to mucous membranes such as eye, nose and throat irritation. However, some sensitive individuals who breathe formaldehyde may experience very different complaints such as fatigue, drowsiness, skin rashes, headache and dizziness, and impaired concentration.
Polietilen Glikol:
A carcinogenic additive produced from petroleum, which can increase and decrease the natural moisture value of the skin. This enhances the aged appearance of the skin, making it more vulnerable to bacteria. It can also cause irritation, itching, and eye damage. Propylene glycol (PG): An oil derivative. Penetrating the skin, it weakens protein and cellular structure.
Silikon:
It is used to make the skin and hair look soft and lively. It covers the skin and prevents contact with air. So it can cause acne and flaking. 1,4-dioxane: It is one of the leading substances that cause cancer. It is widely used in foaming and moisturizing products. On the label, PEG is identified by the words "Polyethylene", "Polyethylene glycol", "Polyoxyethylene". It can cause itching in the eyes and mucous membranes, irritation in the skin, depression and poisoning in the central nervous system. In the case of acute exposure, it causes irritation, headache-dizziness and drowsiness.
The active ingredients in chemical hair dyes open the cuticle flakes that form the outer layer of the hair and bind to the cortex keratin fibers in the middle layer and provide dyeing. They are highly permanent together with stabilizers. Oxidant dyes, which are widely used today, contain peroxide, ammonia and p-phenylene diamine (PPD) and cause great damage to the skin and hair strands, causing sensitivity, burning, drying and breakage in the skin. The results of some scientific research are given below:
PPD is most commonly used in dark tones. Hair dye companies commonly use this chemical risk substance because it provides long-lasting hair color with a natural look. PPD is highly toxic if ingested. When PPD reacts with hydrogen peroxide, it produces a mutagenic (DNA-damaging) and possibly carcinogenic substance called Bandrowski base. Evidence supports that PPD is a strong skin irritant. This substance, which is the fifth most common skin allergen, has several chemical names. These are; p-phenylene diamine (p-phenylenediamine, para-phenylenediamine, 4-aminoaniline; 1,4-benzenediamine; p-diaminobenzene; 1,4-diaminobenzene; 1,4-phenylene diamine).
You should not be fooled by hair dyes that claim to be “herbal – organic”. Products that say they do not contain DDP on their caps clearly state that they contain p-phenylenediamine (PPD). Although it is not written on the packaging of the so-called natural henna sold in herbalists, it is stated on websites that it contains PPD.
Natural Dyes
Natural dyes do not penetrate into the hair shaft and scalp like synthetic hair dyes. Therefore, their color fastness is poor, they run over time with washing and the decrease in the outer tissue of the hair, and they cannot completely cover the white hair. However, they do not disrupt the general integrity and health of the hair, do not wear the hair and do not cause an allergic effect on the skin (However, it is recommended to do a wrist test before using natural substances, just like synthetic dyes). Natural hair dyes are obtained from various plant extracts, primarily henna .
The Latin name of the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis) was given by the Swedish scientist Linnaeus, who was the pioneer of scientific naming of plants and animals. The name henna was given in honor of the scientist's doctor and botanist friend Isaac Lawson. The name henna, which came from Arabic (Hınna) in English (Henna) and Turkish, is pronounced as mehndi in Indian.
The plant contains a pigment called lawsone (C10H6O3). The chemical name of this pigment, which gives a reddish orange color, is hennotannic acid (2-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone). It is a weak acid. The lawsone molecule is very similar to the molecular structure of naphthalene.
In ancient Cyprus, henna, in addition to its therapeutic properties, was also used as a cosmetic agent for hair dyeing when mixed with soapwort (Saponaria officinalis). Soapwort was used to make natural soap in the past. The leaves and roots of the plant were soaked in water and the chemical substance called saponin was released into the water to produce liquid soap. Historically, it was used to clean delicate or unique textiles.
Henna reacts with protein structures such as keratin in the hair and skin, leaving a permanent red mark. Although this mark is permanent, it will fade over time as the hair and skin cells renew themselves and are washed away. The European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU SCCS) has accepted henna as a safe hair and skin colorant when dyed in a traditional manner. The maximum content of Lawson is limited to 1.4%. Other ingredients are not allowed in products classified as henna.
Henna stone and its risks
Although there is not enough information in the literature about henna stone, some scientific sources state that a child who accidentally swallowed the henna stone solution showed signs of poisoning and was taken into surgery. The exact chemical content is not known, but it has been determined that some henna stones sold in herbalists contain high levels of the harmful substance PPD.
