The Dangers of Cosmetics

Many of us use beauty products everyday; we use it to mask imperfections and to feel beautiful. In this day and age of trying to be healthy, we change the way we eat and even try to exercise more. In these changes, we tend to overlook what we put on our faces and whether it can cause more harm than good. I came across a few articles about the dangers of the mineral Mica and petroleum jelly. What I found is pretty disturbing. We use these things everyday and potentially, they can cause more harm than good.

Mica

Mineral powders contain a mineral called Mica which is used in industrial factories.The uses include the manufacturing of capacitors for radios, insulators in electrical equipment requiring high voltage, as well as other things. When construction workers use Mica, they wear masks to prevent the inhalation of the dust particles. Long term problems from Mica have lead to many health problems.There have been numerous cases of upper respiratory infections and even  lung cancer. The use of Mica in mineral powder creates a glow that helps cover many skin imperfections. While Mica does not pose a danger to the outside of your skin, it may pose a danger to your lungs. When loose powder is dusted on the skin it creates small, loose particles that are inhaled in to the lungs. These particles can get stuck in the crevices of your lungs and cannot be removed. Long-term use can cause lung disease, irritation, and inflammation of the lungs. There are studies being done on the long-term use of mineral powders.

If you feel that you cannot live without it, try it in a pressed powder and apply it near an open window. This will minimize the amount of minerals inhaled. A better option is a liquid based foundation or Iman cosmetics, which contain no mica.

Petroleum Jelly

Lip glosses are made with petroleum jelly, which is a product of oil drilling. When we use it in lip gloss, we tend to consume portions of it at every use. This is done while we are eating and licking our lips. If used everyday, the estimated consumption in over a decade can be over 7 pounds. Some believe that it can even be linked to cancer. Aside from lip glosses, we use petroleum in other ways. Many people tend to put it around their noses to prevent dryness. Petroleum jelly used around the nose can cause a lung infection called lipid pneumonia. According to the FDA,there are studies that insist that white petroleum jelly is a purified product of these oils and is safe for use in food and cosmetics.

A better solution is a lip gloss containing beeswax and zinc oxide. Companies such as Burt’s Bees use beeswax instead of petroleum. If you feel safer making your own gloss, Planetgreen.com has the following recipe for great lip gloss:

Ingredients:

¼ cup of beeswax
¼ cup of castor oil
2 tbsp on sesame oil
2 tbsp of beet juice

Directions: Melt the beeswax. Remove it from the heat and add the oils. Then add however much beet juice you wish for coloring. Store this in a container in your refrigerator.

Cosmetics can be fun and can help with improving self esteem, just make sure you know what you are putting in your body.