What’s in your cosmetics?

Many use cosmetics to enhance personal appearance and attract a mate. Today there are hundreds to choose from, some mentioned here are lipstick, blush, foundation, mascara, bronzer, and nail polish. Long ago, makeup was associated with prostitutes and actresses and was considered disrespectful, sinful, vulgar, and improper. Lipstick was banned by the church and was thought to be worn as the incarnation of Satan, but it gained popularity as a result of the movie industry and was worn when a woman reached her teens or adulthood. Lipstick and blush, when worn, were said to give off a fun-loving spirit.

Most cosmetics are derived from petroleum, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and parabeus without any toxic ingredients. SLS and parabeus can cause skin disorders, irritations and allergic dermatitis. Other added properties are alcohol, dyes, carcinogenic pollutant 1,4-dioxane, organic and agricultural products, natural, mineral and vegetable ingredients. At first mercury, lead, chalk, kohl, nitric acid, coal tar, egg whites, and arsenic were used. Prolonged use of these products is linked to thinning of the eyelashes and skin disorders.

Some common ingredients used are castor oil, which prevents acne; the same colors used in food are used in their makeup and listed as numbers on finished products; the bright red colors for the eye products are made from carminic and are extracted from the cochineal insect; Pearl essence is a shimmer or shine effect used in a variety of cosmetic products and was once obtained from herring scales and by-products of commercial fish processing for nail polish, but because it is too expensive, it has been they use bismuth flakes instead; alcohol is used as a solvent vehicle and astringent denaturant; Benzoic acid ester used for fade resistant and water/sweat resistant; allantoin stops bleeding from shaving cuts; aluminum for antiperspirants; water/water as solvent; ascorbyl palmitate used as an antiaging, antioxidant, preservative for natural oils, oleates, fragrances, dyes, and waxes; propane isopentane, isobutane, butane are pressurized propellant dispensers; butyrospermum parkii are shea butter/nut vegetable fats used for moisturizers; hydroxyethyl is the cellulose in wood pulp that gives body to the product; sodium hydroxide used for the base.

The red color of the lipstick comes from synthetically derived pure iron oxide mixed with castor oil and wax base to form a finished lipstick that can be sheer, matte or shimmer. Lip glosses are very thin and mostly made with liquid. Lipstick contains pigments from oils, waxes, and emollients that apply color and texture to the lips. Rouge adds redness to the cheeks, bringing it out for a more youthful appearance. It can be powder or cream based and the color comes from a substance of saffron petals from the saffron flower and solution of carmine in ammonium hydroxide and rose water with rose oil. The cream base is a mixture of alloxan with cold cream. The bases are made of animal fat, starch, and tin oxide. The mascara is waterproof, made from solvent, beeswax, waxes of vegetable origin, wax of mineral origin, pigments, iron oxide and film polymers. They are resistant to tears, sweat and rain and must be carefully removed after use to avoid breaking the lashes. Not water resistant, mild surfactants, animal waxes, waxes of vegetable origin, waxes of mineral origin, pigments, thickening polymers and preservatives. They run with tears and are easily removed with soap and water. To avoid infection, mascara should not be shared and should be thrown away 3 months after opening. Suntan lotions/tanners contain erythrulose chemicals combined with DHA-dihydroxyacetone which can cause contact dermatitis. Canthaxanthin is a base product not approved by the FDA as a tanning agent. It is linked to side effects including hepatitis, formation of yellow deposits on the retina of the eyes, damage to the digestive system and skin surfaces, a warning is in effect. Nail polish contains oils, essences, dyes, and the base solvent is acetone. Acetonirite was used in the past, but it is more toxic; reports show that the accidental poisoning of young children with acetonitrite-based nail polish resulted in one death.

The dangers of cosmetics, in addition to color additives, cosmetic products and their ingredients are subject to FDA regulations before they are released on the market. A company may use any ingredient other than color additives and prohibited ingredients, as long as the entire product is safe and properly labeled. The use of old masks is not recommended because they no longer have the ingredient that prevents the growth of bacteria. Over the years, cosmetics have caused negative side effects, deformities, blindness, and even death. Nail polish often includes petroleum-based products with toluene and xylene that have been linked to cancer. Formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions and is not safe for people with asthma, it is a known carcinogen. Nail polish manufacturers are under pressure to remove potentially toxic ingredients, while some agree to phase out these ingredients, others still use these chemicals. Although it is considered