Top 10 Negative Effects of Using Cosmetics and Make-up Daily.

 Foundation, toner, bronzer, kaajal, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, eye-shadow, blusher, lipstick, lip-gloss, powder, fragrances, deodorant, nail polish, hairspray, shampoo, etc. If you are in the habit of putting on these every single day, you are definitely an obsessive cosmetics user!

Of course, they make you look pretty, make you smell good, make you feel good, make you look younger, but not forever. Too much of a good thing can turn very nasty in the long run.

Cosmetics today contain a wide range of harmful chemicals which, if used in excess, slowly damage our skin and body until it is too late to mend.

The average woman exposes her skin to over 100 different chemicals everyday in the form of make-up and beautification products. Dangerous chemicals like sodium sulphates, phthalates, parabens, triclosan and various reactive acids present in most popular cosmetic products today are absorbed by the skin into the bloodstream and lead to numerous lingering side effects, some of which are known to have serious repercussions for the user’s general health.

The following are the top 10 negative effects of using cosmetics and make-up daily:

1 – Increases the chance of getting cancer. If nothing else can make you control the use of cosmetics, this definitely will.The most deadly reason to minimize the use of cosmetics is to protect yourself from cancer risks, in other words, almost certain death. A majority of chemical cosmetics available in the  market today contain toxic ingredients that can cause multiple kinds of cancer – breast cancer, skin cancer and blood cancer. Fragrances containing phthalates, synthetic shampoos and deodorant sprays and nail polish contaminated with benzene in particular can be the causes of the worst kinds of cancer. And the worst part is, since companies try their best to make these products look as innocent as possible, and because of the lack of consumer awareness regarding their toxicity, people hardly suspect them to be the cause of their health troubles, until it is too late.

2 – Breathing Disorders. Chemically reactive beauty products not only ruin your physical appearance and cause painful allergies, they can go so far as to interfere with your respiratory system, causing serious breathing disorders. For example, salicylates and lead-containing lipsticks can lead to breathing difficulties that are similar to asthmatic attacks. Even the harmless bubble bath you buy can be a potential cause of respiratory disorders, especially if it contains the foaming agent “alkylarylsulphonate”. What is the use of beautification if it can result in us being unable to breathe properly? So it only makes sense to be extremely careful while choosing the cosmetics we purchase and limiting their use altogether!

3 – Damage To Our Reproductive Systems. The allergy-causing parabens present in cosmetics have been proven by medical research to be toxic to the reproductive cells. Butyl paraben in particular was linked to DNA damage in men’s sperm, according to a study that compared the levels of this compound to several reproductive measures in men. If the DNA of reproductive cells are damaged, it can lead to a terribly adverse impact on reproduction processes and reproductive hormones. Since women are the dominant consumers of cosmetics, these toxic chemicals tend to put them at even greater risk. Skincare products and deodorants have been linked to some very complicated reproductive irregularities, which could even lead to infertility and I am sure you don’t want that to happen to yourself. So stop wondering and just be careful. Don’t overdo your make-up. And again, most importantly don’t use make-up and beauty products everyday!

4 – Disruption of Thyroid Systems. Damaging chemicals in cosmetics over a long period of time, can wreak havoc with your endocrine system, particularly the thyroid gland. A example is Triclosan, which is a chemical used to keep many of your skin care products germ free. It is commonly found in deodorant sprays, make-up, and acne-removing scrubs. Absorption and accumulation of triclosan and compounds within your body due to daily cosmetic application has an extremely detrimental effect on the thyroid gland, leading to severe after-effects of the thyroid hormone. Sudden headaches, shivering bouts, depression and weight gain are some of the consequences resulting from the inflammation of the thyroid gland.

5 – Allergic Reactions. A large percentage of health problems from cosmetics involve allergies. Commonly used chemicals contained in make-up products can produce allergic reactions in the skin, eyes and hair, especially if used in excessive amounts. Parabens, (examples – ethyl-paraben, butyl-paraben, isopropyl-paraben etc.) which are chemicals used as preservatives to prevent bacterial growth in cosmetics, have been reported to cause allergic reactions including various kinds of skin irritation, blotches and blemishes on the skin. A lasting infection caused by the use of certain fragrances is photosensitization, in which the perfume reacts with sunlight to create brown patches on the skin. Salicylate sensitivity is another reason for increased allergic reactions including the outbreak of painful rashes or hives among sensitive users to products containing the chemical as one of the ingredient. Sadly, very few cosmetics in the market are completely free of salycilates.

6 – Itching and Skin Disorders. A number of oil-based skin foundations clog pores on your facial skin, leading to scary acne outbreaks and skin disorders. Blushers and bronzers contain ingredients which can lead to pimples, lead patches and long term skin irritation all over the affected areas. Salicylates found in a number of pain relief lotions and skin care creams can lead to severe itching especially among those who are sensitive to the chemical. And the next time you think about buying that new anti-aging cream, remember to collect thorough information about the ingredients, quality and side-effects as a number of poor quality skin care products contain chemicals which temporarily may present you with a youthful glow, but in the long run lead to premature aging of your skin. Sodium lauryl sulphate, a popular ingredient used by most of the modern cosmetic brands, is known to reduce the protective barrier of the skin by at least 10%, increasing the skin’s susceptibility to irritation by a host of chemicals. Heavy metals and ammonia in hair dyes can lead to abrasions in the skin and scalp, follicle damage and hair loss.

7 – Skin Discoloration. A number of cosmetics, like creams, skin toners, sunscreens and blushers can have bleaching and/or darkening effects on the skin, especially if the products are of inferior quality. Poor quality cosmetics when used without regulation can lead to marked discoloration of skin, including patches, redness, brown to gray pigmentation, blotches and unevenness. You surely don’t want your face to become dotted with brown, flecked with grey and look as red as if you’ve been pinched all over, then you would do well to use these synthetic skin care products as little as possible. Also it’s extremely important to use these products only while they are well within their date of expiry. 

8 – Potential Eye Infections. Use of excessive make-up on and around the eyes can lead to serious infections, accompanied by redness, watery eyes and stinging sensations. Applying too many coats of eye shadow creates considerable damage as the glittery dust which makes your eyes shine also slips through the corners and ends of the eyelids to cause redness and itching. Too much mascara can lead to the stopping of eyelash growth or falling of eyelashes. Mascara also attracts bacteria for breeding, as a result causing severe eye irritation. Same goes for too much kaajal and eyeliner. Our eyes are one of the most important and sensitive organs of our body and it would be a shame if we damage them in our attempts to beautify them.