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Margarette Grace Bajar

Philosophy 25

Prof Harisson

April 13, 2017

Toxins in Daily Cosmetic Products

When most people think of pollution, skincare products would most likely not come into

our minds. However, some of the harmful chemicals found in skincare products are not that

pretty. New cosmetic products get launched now and then, but the labeling requirements validate

the presence of harmful ingredients. We purchase cosmetic products to keep ourselves and family

clean and well groomed, revelations of the toxic chemicals in the cosmetic products come as a

shock to most people. Most damaging ingredients are absorbed through the skin when the

chemicals put into contact with skins sensitive tissues, glands, and organs. Furthermore

chemical that we brought in water get flushed down the draining and end up contaminating water

and aquatic ecosystems. The quantity of any chemical of concern in one application is most

likely slight. However, it is not uncommon for an individual product to contain different

ingredients that get linked to environmental hazards and health. In most cases, people use several

products every day. The small dose accumulates and ends up causing major health issues, such as

skin cancers without the consumers knowledge. Researching a major body lotion product is the

best way of highlight the hidden health hazards behind the cosmetic products (Daughton,

Christian and Thomas 45).

Aveeno body lotion is a product of Aveeno Company in the United States. Aveeno body

lotion, as the advertisers put it, is a daily moisturizing lotion containing natural oatmeal and rich

emollients to help the skin build a moisture reserve. However, numerous reports indicate Aveeno
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body lotion has harmful chemical ingredients that are not always discussed or labeled on adverts.

Some of the ingredients are under regulation by skincare ingredients regulating authorities. The

authorities have stipulated amounts to get used in manufacturing lotions due to their harmful

features. When the consumer uses the product, even when it is under regulation, the small

amounts accumulate and cause the same effects they would have caused if employed in large

quantities. It is important to analyze the ingredients carefully and the effects the adverse effects

they have on the consumers health.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is an odorless and colorless strong smelling chemical used in the

production of body lotions. Formaldehyde causes adverse effects such as watery eyes and

burning sensation upon contact with the body. Studies show that Continuous use of products

consisting formaldehyde may result in nasal cancer.

Parabens

A study done by Denmark scientists indicate that parabens could be found in urine and

blood of healthy male volunteers a few hours after they applied paraben-containing lotions. The

researchers concluded that since the skin could absorb the chemicals, they could contribute to

significant health related issues. Researchers stress the importance of looking evaluating the

cumulative impacts of the ingredients when used over a long time instead of looking into the

utilization of an individual product. When taking shows, the lotion in our bodies washes out and

gets absorbed into the environment through the drainage system. Parabens have gotten detected

in surface waters, the compounds display little in mammals, but regular intake of the compounds

cold have the same effect as that of humans (Bdzka, Dorota, Jolanta and Wojciech 77).
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Parabens are extensively used as preservers to prevent bacterial growth including yeast and mold

in body lotions. The most common parabens used in body lotions include methylparaben,

butylparaben, and propylparaben. In the last few years, the customers started showing their

concern due to the use of parabens as cream ingredients, a move that made the made most

manufacturers star labeling lotions paraben-free. In the 1990s pharmaceutical boards considered

parabens xenoestrogens, agents that imitate estrogen in the skin. Estrogen disruption is related to

breast cancer among other reproductive issues. The latest research indicates that parabens are

present in malignant breast cancer tumors, many countries regulatory bodies have begun

regulating the use of parabens in skin care products. Scientists have proven that is if parabens

remain in the body for a period, they could have accumulative effects and cause significant

health risks.

Phthalates

Phthalates are industrial plasticizers use in manufacturing personal care products to

soften and moisturize the body. Phthalate is also used to dissolve other ingredients. A few years

ago, scientists began conducting research to show that phthalates are developmental and

reproductive toxicants in animals, especially male animal. Researchers from Rochester

University say that delayed sexual development in male children who get exposed to phthalates

through the use of body lotions is another effect. The researchers discovered that the average

concentrations associated with effects, including a short a genital distance and incomplete

testicular development are below those that the phthalate exposures found in almost a quarter of

the female population in the U.S. The studies concluded that prenatal phthalate exposure at

environmental levels could affect the reproductive development in males.

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Sodium lauryl sulfate

SLS is a widely used chemical because of its low price in most personal hygiene

products, but the primary focus is on its effects when utilized in the production of body lotion

products. SLS is a surfactant for separating molecules to allow better interaction between hair

and cream. Reports indicate that SLS may cause cancer when used for an extended period.

Synthetic colors

People love the color, they make the world beautiful somehow, and marketers know it.

Aveeno is an example of a body lotion manufacturer who uses different colors in their product to

entice their customers, especially women. The manufacturers paint their products so when the

consumer squeezes the cream out of the tube is enamored with the experience and comes back

for more. Unfortunately, the colors, and dyes used in making lotions and other skincare products

are made using synthetic chemicals that arent so healthy. Reports indicate that one single color,

made out of 25 synthetic chemicals. If the lotion is purples, it means that it contains 50 or more

compound. Artificial color dyes get manufactured from coal tar and another heavy metal salt like

lead and arsenic that can deposit toxins I the skin. The toxins released by the elements increase

the risk of skin irritation and sensitivity, they also block skin pores and increase cause acne

breakouts (Malcolm, Lara Tess, Mann and Ashley 98).

When color toxins get into the skin, they may get absorbed into the body where they can

cause additional health issues. Studies indicate that when artificial coloring gets used in foods, it

may cause cancer. The chemicals that accompany coloring in lotions associated with allergy-like

hypersensitivity and hyperactivity in children. Synthetic colors may also get contaminated with

other chemicals associated with the disease as spin-offs of the main manufacturing product.
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There is a minimum effect of artificial color on the environment since the body absorbs almost

all the toxins found in artificial color.

Fragrances

The term fragrance refers to a complex mixture of dozens of chemicals. More than 3000

chemicals get used in perfume; scent apparently the main ingredient in perfumes and deodorants,

but it also gets used in other cosmetic products such as body lotions, shampoos, and softeners.

Most of the chemicals used in fragrances have not gotten tested for toxicity, in combination or as

single chemicals. Most of the chemicals present in scents are chemicals and can trigger

migraines, asthma symptoms, and other allergies. Surveys indicate that fragrances in lotions

trigger attacks in three out of four people. There is also evidence that exposure to fragrances in

body lotions can cause asthma and contribute to its growth in young children.

The most vulnerable people are those with multiples chemical sensitivities or

environmentally linked illnesses. Researchers indicate that perfume is the second most common

cause of allergies. Additionally, individual fragrance ingredient can cause cancer and

neurotoxicity among other hostile effects. Synthetic musks used in manufacturing fragrances are

of particular concern from an environmental perspective. Some musk compounds are dangerous

to the environment; they build as in aquatic animals fatty tissues. Body lotion washes off into the

rivers and seas the perfume in the lotion cause measurable levels of perfume toxins in fish.

Some fragrance ingredients are not categorized s agents but enhance the performance of

the officials. Phthalates get associated with girls early puberty, reduced sperm count in men and

reproduction problems in developing a male fetus. Phthalate metabolites also get used blamed for
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insulin resistance in people and obesity. Studies also indicate that use of lotions may cause

kidney and liver failure when used for extended periods

Toluene

Toluene is a petrochemical made from petroleum or coal sources. Toluene gets labeled in

most healthcare products. Toluene is used to dissolve paint and paint thinner. Scientists indicate

that the chemical can cause respiratory problems, nausea and skin irritation. An expectant mother

should not use products such as the Aveeno lotion because it consists of toluene which may cause

progressive damage to the fetus.

Triclosan

Triclosan is a production ingredient use as a bactericide in body lotions and various

personal skin care products; Triclosan has gotten linked to different diseases including heart

failure as researchers indicate. Triclosan is a major ingredient in the manufacturing of the Aveeno

body lotion. Research shows that triclosan impairs skeletal muscle contractility and muscle

function. The research got done on laboratory mice. However, the effects could be the same in

the human body. After triclosan had got induced into mice, the mices muscle function was

reduced by at list 25 percent, and grip capability was reduced by at list 18 percent. An

altercation of hormone regulation is another problem that may be caused by triclosan. Scientists

found out that triclosan affects estrogen-mediated responses and increase cancerous cells

(Schlosser & Paul 55).

In conclusion, after the revelation of the hazards caused by skin care products that people

use each day, a campaign should be initiated to ensure manufacturers find ways to replace the

harmful ingredients with safer alternatives. More research should be conducted to produce better
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ingredients that are less harmful. Hazard labeling should also be implemented to make the

consumer aware of the kinds of chemicals they apply on their skin. The regulatory bodies should

also start pre-market information accessible to the public. It is, however, the governments

responsibility to safeguard citizens against harmful products that may also pose a significant

threat to the eco-system.

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Work cited

Bereza-Malcolm, Lara Tess, Gulay Mann, and Ashley Edwin Franks. "Environmental Sensing of

Heavy Metals Through Whole Cell Microbial Biosensors: A Synthetic Biology

Approach." ACS Synthetic Biology 4.5 (2014): 535-546.

Bdzka, Dorota, Jolanta Gromadziska, and Wojciech Wsowicz. "Parabens. From

Environmental Studies to Human Health." Environment International 67 (2014): 27-42.

Daughton, Christian G., and Thomas A. Ternes. "Pharmaceuticals and Private Care Products in

the Environment: Agents of Subtle Change?" Environmental Health Perspectives

107.Suppl 6(1999):907

Schlosser, Paul M., et al. "Human Health Effects of Dichloromethane: Key Findings and

Scientific Issues." Environmental Health Perspectives 123.2 (2015): 114.