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Why Cosmetics And Chronic Illness Don 't Mix

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Why Cosmetics and Chronic Illness Don 't Mix

As a person who has or is living with someone suffering from a chronic illness, you must have already come across a dearth of literature pertaining to the potential risks of many of the personal care products available on the market today.

If you’ve firmly decided to bury your head in the sand when it comes to this information, then whatever is written below won’t matter to you, but, if you’re still concerned, there are some facts you need to know.

The Health Hazards of Cosmetics for the Chronically Ill

Whether it is to stay ahead in the highly competitive beauty market or simply invite attention, almost every new product will carry some “revolutionary” or “innovative” ingredient. Take …show more content…

The long-term effects are often left out.

That said, many of the ingredients listed below are still commonly used by industries because they have not been banned.

The reason they’re not banned is that the links between health hazards and these ingredients have yet to be firmly established, but, it does not mean the dangers are not real.

Many times, it’s difficult for someone who has been affected by them to establish the connection between their symptoms and the product.

Here are a list of ingredients you should avoid if you have a chronic illness:

1. Phthalates - Used in so many products, these chemicals are suspected carcinogens.

2. Parabens - Used as preservatives, these have been associated with increased risk of breast cancer, although a link has not been clearly established by authorities. These chemicals also mimic hormones which can potentially affect various hormone-regulated processes in your body.

3. Fragrance - Ingredients used for fragrances have been known to cause allergic reaction and skin irritation.

4. Diethanolamine (DEA) - Used as foaming agents and pH adjusters, they are believed to develop carcinogenic by-products called nitrosamines.

5. Polyethylene Glycols (PEG) - These are versatile cosmetic ingredients that serve multiple uses. They can become contaminated with cancer-causing 1,4-dioxane, a common by-product of manufacturing.

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