1. Beauty’s Dark Side: The Hidden Dangers of Cosmetics

 

People should stop buying cosmetic that’s tested using animals

Increasing social interactions see cosmetics on the rebound; companies plan new launches - The Economic Times

Cosmetics have become popular needs if the society today. Individuals spend monthly on cosmetics where there are many varieties,s including cosmetics meant for certain seasons and climate. The producers claim to produce fine and safe products for us, but it’s certainly hard for someone to manufacture a beneficial product for the consumers nowadays. The quality of a product is compromised mostly and usually a common consumer is unable to air his/her complains for actions to be taken against the manufacturer.

Many are the times that the ingredients indicated are untrue and also have negative effects on human beings. There is definitely an ugly side to cosmetics, this does not mean they do not work, but they have hazardous effects too (Verma & Verma, 2014). Some cosmetics usually cause health problems like allergic reactions and skin and eye irritation, these health problems are either short or long termed. Even when ingredients used in a certain beauty product is tested, the results may still be not clear since different skin type react differently with certain products, for instance, some ingredients in these cosmetic products are highly toxic but the quantity used in a product is extremely low to cause negative effects as indicated in studies, similarly, the method the ingredient is used may be different from how it was used during the tests.

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Sometimes there is no information provided on how these harmful ingredients are absorbed in the body. The short term effects of using cosmetics include; total dependency on cosmetics, there is always a common notion among certain individuals that one can’t look handsome or beautiful without wearing makeup; this notion leads nothing less than one being addicted to makeup. Headaches are also very common in people who do make up, normally, women who have used prolonged makeup feel dizzy and nauseated and tired. A study that was conducted on the harmful effects of makeup found out that cosmetic have certain ingredients which cause unconsciousness if exposed directly to human being in larger amount. Use of cosmetics also causes loss of hair, using shampoos, hair dyes, serums and conditioners harm hair tresses.

However much they look great and beautiful when used, these hair product negatively affect the quality and quantity of the hair, these effects include, scalp redness, thinning of the hair, falling of the hair and dandruffs, some of hair sprays also results to permanent hair discoloration. Long term effects are more deadly, long use of some of these cosmetics posses danger reproductive organs, for example, use of shower gels and certain oils affects the reproductive organs if exposed directly to them. Cosmetics that contain asbestos such as talcum powder affects the menstrual cycle when applied directly to reproductive organs, these, causes hormonal imbalances and can also lead to infertility and virginal infections. Use of cosmetics may make one look older than he/she actually is, make up damages the skin and when used for long, wrinkles may be seen.

Apparently, the manufacturers of these cosmetics have anti-aging products which are meant to fight the signs of aging that are caused by other beauty products. Cosmetics also bring with them dangerous diseases like cancer and other chronic diseases, among the ingredients used to manufacture lipsticks is aluminum which is known to cause anemia(American Cancer Society, Inc, 2016). Many beauty products contain dangerous chemicals like barium sulphate and zinc oxide which may lead to organ failures. In order to avoid being a victim of such effects caused by use of some of these cosmetics, a consumer needs to make wise decision when purchasing these products. One needs to be fully aware of the ingredients used and what their effects on human beings are; it is advisable to avoid products that are toxic. Prevention is better than cure; it is even much better for one to cut down or completely avoid the use of makeup.

Cosmetics cause damage to the environment, the hazardous effects of these products are not well known by the consumers; companies use the word ‘natural’ and conclude that by including a few natural ingredients here and there, even if the ingredients are mixed with toxic results to the product being natural. The use of the word ‘natural’ has led to the increase of demand for ‘natural products’, however, manufacturers want the natural products in bigger quantities, but in cheaper prices, more chemicals are used to extract the natural ingredients which leads to more exploitation of human rights. Cosmetics packaging also has hazardous effects to the environment, the tubs and bottles that are used to store these cosmetic products are made to be strong so as to upgrade the very products they hold. After use, these bottles are left empty and thrown in landfills where they take decades to decompose  (Simple Luxe Living, 2014).

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These products have chemical components that decompose only to accumulate in the ecosystems, they do unimaginable damage when they are washed down the sinks; the chemicals end up in our water sources like lakes, rivers and streams. Cosmetics preservatives like BHA, which are mainly found in lipsticks, are known to cause death of the aquatic animals, another example is triclocan which is an antibacterial chemical substance that is found in cleansers and deodorants and is known for its capability to accumulate for a very long time in the environment. Cosmetic products that are harmful do not only endanger the aquatic life but the entire earth. Every life here on earth depends on the water cycle, for instance, the chemicals that are drove to the aquatic ecosystem, evaporates to the atmosphere into the clouds and then it rains.

It would be best to package these products in glass jars and bottles that are easily recycled, some manufacturers have taken initiatives to use only environmental friendly packaging or zero packaging. Testing animals for cosmetics is cruel business, over 38,000 animals like rabbits, mice and pigs die every year due to product testing, these tests cause’s extreme pains and causes distress to these animals (The Physician Committe). Animal testing should be stopped by buying safe products and donating them to the physicians committee that is has been tirelessly looking into a replacement for use of animals during these tests.

There are several homemade beauty products which are 100% organic, it is best to discover the ingredient that suits one best and allow the Mother Nature to take control of her work. Raw honey is known to be ideal for normal and sensitive skin, it has active enzymes that are good at removing dead skin, moisturize and leaving the skin glowing. Skin types that are prone to irritation and acne, a raw egg yolk mask will do wonders; the yolk is rich with sulphur which is a remedy for acne. Cucumbers are best when it comes to clearing redness and inflammation, they have a cooling and soothing effect on the skin; it is simpler and more advantageous to go the real natural way (Masud, 2014).Homemade beauty products that actually work - Save the Student

In conclusion, it is evident that the effects of cosmetics are far reaching but there are few steps that the manufacturers, consumers and the government can do to avoid these toxic substances into the environment and our bodies. Cosmetics and personal care organization should register themselves with environmental protection agencies to ensure the produce cruelty-free products. With the right education offered to the consumers by governmental or non-governmental organizations on the effects of some of these products, a consumer will be able to make wise decisions and also he/she will have the power to stop the environmental pollution.

 

References

American Cancer Society, Inc (2016). Cosmetics. Cancer.org. Retrieved 28 April 2016, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/cosmetics

Masud, M. (2014). The Cost of Beauty – The Harmful Effects of Makeup on Your Skin – The Express Tribune. (2014). The Express Tribune. Retrieved 28 April 2016, from http://tribune.com.pk/story/787023/the-cost-of-beauty-the-harmful-effects-of-makeup-on-your-skin/

Simple Luxe Living (2014). The Environmental Damages Of Cosmetics – Simple Luxe Living. Simple Luxe Living. Retrieved  from http://www.simpleluxeliving.com/the-environmental-damages-of-cosmetics/

The Physicians Committee.What You Can Do To Stop Animal Testing. The Physicians Committee. Retrieved 28 April 2016, from http://www.pcrm.org/research/animaltestalt/tailtox/what-you-can-do-to-stop-animal-testing

Verma, N. & Verma, N. (2014). Top 10 Harmful Effects of Using Cosmetics – ListCrux. ListCrux. Retrieved 28 April 2016, from http://listcrux.com/top-10-harmful-effects-of-using-cosmetics/