For a makeup consumer, it’s essential to have relevant information about cancer causing agents in makeup. On a very first hand, it is a great first step towards understanding more about cancerous chemicals that could be hiding in cosmetics.
The FDA described cosmetics as products used to clean, beautify, and enhance a person’s appearance to make it more flawless. According to FDA, these makeup products can be applied in many different ways like being properly applied, rubbed, sprayed, or maybe poured onto the skin.
It does not amaze us to know the term “cosmetics” that have been extended now to include common daily use products. These products may include moisturizers, shampoos, toothpaste, fingernail polishes, hair color products, deodorants as well as perfumes.
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What are Cancer causing agents in makeup?
Cancer causing agents are used to make consumer makeup products. The risk has come under increased scrutiny for possible effects of cancerous substances on human health and on the environment. Simultaneously, this threat is incited by the increase in information on the Internet about the cancerous chemicals in makeup.
Scroll down to have a look at the list of cancer causing agents in makeup, how they regulate, and their possible health effects.
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1. Parabens
Parabens stand as the number one agent to avoid in makeup and skincare products. These are super harmful and are present in multiple beauty products like moisturizers, soaps (some kinds of soaps), shampoos, spray-tan products, shaving creams, and eyeshadow pallets. The FDA has acknowledged many pieces of research that prove parabens can cause skin and breast cancer. They also minimize the sperm count.
Cosmetics companies add parabens to most products to prevent the growth of bacteria in makeup products. But they are extremely toxic as they can disrupt the endocrine. Parabens have also been observed to disturb hormones and alter growth, development, and reproduction.
Parabens may not easy to avoid. But it is possible when know what’s been looking for. It is important to scan the label and put it back if there’s any paraben listed agent, including methylparaben.
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2. Talc
It is a common mineral that has been used for years. It may present in baby powders, dry shampoos, liquid foundations, and makeup powders. As talc can absorb moisture, it’s present in products for oily skin and hair types.
Talc powders contain asbestos, a known carcinogen. If talc that contains asbestos is put onto a sanitary napkin, it can potentially raise the risk of ovarian cancer. However, the FDA doesn’t allow talc used in makeup products to contain asbestos. FDA does not claim that all talc-containing products are asbestos-free.
3. Triclosan
It is found commonly in antibacterial soaps. Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent also found in a large range of cosmetics. It causes thyroid issues and also contributes to the rise in antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
This antimicrobial ingredient has proved to alter reproductive hormones. Because of such reasons, it’s banned in several countries. Especially in the United States of America, triclosan has been banned from antiseptic soap. However, it might still show up in a few deodorants, moisturizers, mouthwash, shaving cream, and toothpaste. Do not use products containing triclosan. Before buying makeup and skincare products, check on the label whether it contains cancer causing agent triclosan or not.
4. PFAs and PFCs
Fragrances also contain potentially hundreds of hazardous chemicals. PFAs are a class of thousands of fluorinated chemicals that have been found in sunscreens, hair products, and shaving creams. These agents link to complicated health effects, like thyroid disease, cancer, and even lower the effectiveness and span of vaccines.
People who frequently use waterproof mascara or eyeliner must take some notes. PFCs are major cancer causing agents found in waterproof mascara and eyeliner. These, no doubts, are the biggest culprits here, as they’re water repellents. Always check for PFAs and PFCs before shopper makeup products and fragrances.
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5. 1,4-dioxane
1,4-dioxane is a trace harmful agent present in some makeup products. It may not add intentionally but produces as a byproduct during the manufacturing process.
The biggest names on the market contain trace amounts of this threatening cancer-causing reagent. The FDA periodically checks the levels of 1,4-dioxane in makeup and skincare products. FDA has observed that levels have dropped over time due to changes in manufacturing processes. It has not made a safe limit for shampoo, lotion, and other toiletries, and sustains that the trace amounts present in those products are not harmful. Specifically, before buying baby care products, check for dioxane. It should not be present in any baby care or children’s cosmetic as it is a potentially harmful agent.
6. Formaldehyde
Even though research has classified formaldehyde as known cancer causing agent, it’s still a fairly common agent present in hair straightening products. Makeup brands still add formaldehyde in nail polishes, eyelash glue, night creams, and an array of other cosmetics. There may be some retailers in the market like CVS, and Target, who are not using formaldehyde in their products. A few others have also started banning products that contain formaldehyde. But, still, precautions need to be taken.
While formaldehyde is a well-known harmful ingredient to avoid in beauty products, people may not know about the lesser-known agent that releases formaldehyde. Such reagents have also been formulated normally in cosmetics today. Formaldehyde releasers are reagents, such as Bronopol, DMDM hydantoin, Diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, and quaternium-15. These are cosmetic preservatives that slowly produce formaldehyde. In other words, it is quite unlikely when seeing the word “formaldehyde” on a label of a makeup product, it might be hiding behind another name.
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What is the best way to stay safe from cancer causing agents in makeup?
The law that defines cosmetics, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is that articles used to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body. These are for the purpose of cleansing, beautifying, increasing attractiveness, or modifying the appearance. The articles may include lipsticks, skin moisturizers, perfumes, fingernail polishes, shampoos, eye, and facial makeup, permanent waves, hair colors, toothpaste, and deodorants, as well as any part of a cosmetic product. It does not involve items used solely as soaps.
While cosmetics are not the same as drugs, these are the articles used for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Additionally, these are the articles (other than food) that can affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals.
Always read labels to avoid cosmetics containing cancerous chemicals. Do not use personal care products containing formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, Diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, and 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol), benzene, coal tar, phenacetinun treated or mildly treated mineral oils, chromium, ethylene oxide, and its compounds, cadmium, arsenic and crystalline silica (or quartz).
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Final words
Now after being aware of all cancer causing agents in makeup products, make sure to check the list of ingredients label before purchasing any beauty product
A wide range of the chemical ingredients listed on the product labels will be harmful. Know which ones need to watch out for. Check to help lower or limit exposure to these harmful chemicals. If makeup products are carcinogens-free, they will be labeled as such. In order to make it easy, go with a cosmetics company that doesn’t use hazardous chemicals at all.
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