Cosmetics : Do you know the risks? - Part two

The sales volume of cosmetics retail in Canada reached more than 5.3 billion dollars per year. Phthalates, synthetic musks, alkylphenol ethoxylates, this is a very short list of substances potentially present in your cosmetics. Of course the cosmetics industry argues that all these products are safe below a certain percentage. But what is it really? These chemicals still wisely in their pot. What about the particles that are in the air environment? Products that are found in the water? Some particles remaining at the end of their use? Besides which succeeded in crossing the barrier of the skin and that our body absorbs. We accumulate from year to year, a staggering amount for these products which are impressive in a cocktail in our bodies and we know how they might interact and their long-term effects.

Nothing is poison, everything is poison? Question of dosage?

Companies cosmetological we say everything is calculated, studied, thought, regulate. Everything is a matter of strength, dosage and instructions for use. There are regulations regarding the use of these substances but it is nonetheless insufficient. In addition to ignore the accumulation of various substances by the use of several products simultaneously, it also does not consider the release and distribution of these products into the environment during production and end the life of these products. Very little research has been done when the effects of their long-term use, persistent organic accumulation as well as the possible consequences of crosses between two substances absorbed alone can not represent any danger but associated with another can become a health risk to users. Furthermore, the causality between dose and effects of some carcinogens and hormone disrupters "is very complex and not easily analyzed.

Labeling the list of ingredients: Mandatory since November 2006.

Since November 2006 a regulation concerning the labeling has been implemented by the Canadian government, it is the cosmetics Regulations which requires cosmetic manufacturers to report all ingredients in cosmetics. In fact, it's not just about the record but also identify them according to a certain nomenclature INCI (International Nomenclature of cosmetic ingredients) so that they are recognizable and identifiable by all countries regardless of the language thereof ci. It is actually identify a chemical ingredient in a universal symbol that might otherwise have different names. Under this law, manufacturers must provide the names of the various ingredients in descending order of weight, either by name or by their INCI Latin name if the ingredient in question has not been convicted of a appointment. But is it enough? How does that help the consumer? Unless you have a list of the INCI hand it is very difficult for the average consumer to truly understand and identify all the various components found on a list of ingredients. Another difficulty is that it is possible that the ingredient is not simply not on the list INCI. Here is an example from the site "Breast Cancer Action Montreal," which explains the problem:

« ... The use of coal tar in cosmetics is prohibited in Canada. However, even if the coal tar is prohibited. The dyes extracted from the coal tar are not! If you want to avoid these dyes, you should read the label on the product to see if it contains. But this is not as straightforward as it might think. Although dyes extracted from the coal tar are listed in the INCI nomenclature, it is highly probable that they should not be in the list of ingredients of the product. There are at least 273 different names for these dyes, but none does the words "dye extracted from coal tar" You must be very persistent to see if the products that we appreciate actually contains this type of stain. » "

Moreover, we do no indication about the possible toxicity of the ingredients used in the list, it makes it very difficult for a consumer, or even sometimes impossible to assess whether a product is potentially dangerous or not. You believe to be protected by using big brands? Think again! Some examples from the site * Skin Deep, major brands likely to get into your pharmacy and a list of ingredients left somewhat perplexed. I will not mention the dangers of each component especially since we lack the data for several of them. But if you want to learn more, visit http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Crest Tartar Protection Ingredients of packaging: ACTIVE SUBSTANCES: SODIUM FLUORIDE (0.15% ION FLUOR OF WEIGHT OF VOLUME). INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, SILICA HYDRATÉE, SORBITOL, GLYCERINE, PYROPHOSPHATE OF TETRAPOTASSIUM, SULFATE LAURIQUE SODIUM, FLAVOR, XANTHAN GUM, SACCHARIN SODIUM. SODIUM FLUORIDE toxicity, violations, restrictions and warnings of cancer, developmental / reproductive, Psychosis, endocrine disruption, toxicity System Organ (non), multiple sources additives exposure, irritation (skin, eyes or lungs ), Occupational Hazards

Can also be named: SODIUM FLUORIDE (NAF)

Se also found in a variety of products such as: Toothpastes (221), for teeth whitening (67), (30) rinses and breath coolers (3)

Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara, Brownish Black

Ingredients of packaging: WATER (AQUA), BEESWAX (CERA ALBA), OZOKÉRITE, SHELLAC, STEARATE GLYCERYLIQUE, TRI-ÉTHANOLAMINE, DE PROPYLENE GLYCOL, STEARYL ACID ON SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, METHYLPARABEN, QUATERNIUM- 15, CETYLPYRIDINIUM-22, SIMETHICONE, BUTYLPARABEN, MAY CONTAIN: OXIDES IRON, BIOXYDE TITANIQUE, ULTRAMARINES, MICA TRI-ÉTHANOLAMINE TRI-ÉTHANOLAMINE

Can also be named: ETHANOL, 2.2 ', 2 "- NITRILOTRIS-; Feb. 2 ', 2 "- NITRILOTRIS [ETHANOL]; TEA; TROLAMINE; Feb. 2 ', 2' - NITRILOTRIETHANOL; ETHANOL, 2.2, 2 NITRILOTRIS

Cancérigène Allergy / immunotoxic, toxicity System Organ (non), concerns of contamination (NITROSAMINES)

This product is also found in many types of products such as care for the face (489), moisturizing creams (479), sunscreen and more FPS15 (277), (188) mascara, hair gels and lotions (163), substantive complexion (137), shaving cream for men (109) and scrubs / scrubs (108).

L'Oreal Kids 2-in-1 shampoo Explosion watermelon

Ingredients of packaging: WATER, OF SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, POLYSORBATE 21, BÉTAÏNE OF COCAMIDOPROPYL, ALCOHOL CÉTYLIQUE, CÉTYLIQUE OF ETHER HYDROXYSTEARYL, GLYCERINE, DIMETHICONE, PERFUME, POLYQUATERNIUM 10, CARBOMER, SODIUM METHYLPARABEN, HYDANTOINE OF DMDM, COCAMIDE MIPA , OF PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, ISOBUTYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN SODIUM METHYLPARABEN SODIUM METHYLPARABEN

Violations, restrictions and warnings, allergies / immunotoxic changes in the level of toxicity of organ system (non-reproductrice), biochemical or cellular

Can also be named: BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-, METHYL ESTER, SODIUM SALT; METHYLPARABEN, SODIUM SALT; SODIUM 4-CARBOMETHOXYPHENOLATE; SODIUM P-METHOXYCARBONYLPHENOXIDE; SODIUM METHYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE; SODIUM SALT BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY - METHYL ESTER; SODIUM METHYLPARABEN SALT; METHYL ESTER SODIUM SALT BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-; BENZOIC ACID, 4HYDROXY, METHYL ESTER, SODIUM SALT; SODIUM 4 - (METHOXYCARBONYL) PHENOLATE This product is also found in many types of products such as shampoo (46); Facials (23); Anti care (17); Revitalizing (16); Cleanser for the body (14); Cleanser for the face ( 11); sunscreen spf 15 and over (5); masks (5); toning / astringent (4); moisturizers (4)

That's just to name a few. It goes without saying that the list is long!

What can be done?

As a consumer, it is possible that we felt poor and without much influence. Think again! First, it is our responsibility to be informed and read the labels on products that we consume. But, "Why bother? » You'll say this because we can not identify these components and that we do not know the long-term impact of these chemicals on our bodies. Simply because I believe it is our duty to inform us, to know and understand. Of course, different government agencies, environmental and others are seeking our right and watch. But why should we rely constantly on the goodwill of others? I think that as consumers, individuals, children, fathers, mothers and so on. It is our duty to try to find out in order to make informed choices. It is also possible to put pressure on the different manufacturers in their writing and in the questioning of the potential presence of hazardous substances in their products.

In perhaps a little more bodied, Greenpeace also proposes to assert our desire to remove hazardous substances from our products by pasting stickers on their packaging, on the spot on the shelves. (Available on request at the headquarters of Greenpeace) We can also opt for more natural products, or biological weapons. Several manufacturers now offer the chance to buy products made entirely of natural ingredients.

However it is important to remain cautious and read labels. Also, perhaps we should revise our thinking about consumer behavior.

Do we really need all these products?

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