Many cosmetics are artificially supported by various chemical additives and dyes, such as parabens, silicones or SLS. What exactly are these ingredients and why should we avoid cosmetics that have them in their composition?
Natural, ecological, completely safe for our health and skin – these are the cosmetics that are most often chosen by increasingly conscious consumers. No wonder that we give up products that contain a lot of chemicals. They do not bring any positive results for our skin, but only a false, temporary improvement of its condition. As conscious consumers we want to live closer to nature, not burden the planet with plastic, artificial dyes and enhancers contained in some cosmetic products. That is why more and more companies resign from using enhancers in their cosmetics. Unfortunately, you can still find cosmetics with added preservatives on the market. But what exactly are these substances? And why is it better not to use skin care products with these ingredients?
The standards set by the European Union are a priority and today all cosmetics must comply with them. Therefore, both certified cosmetic laboratories, as well as the manufacturers of these preparations themselves, must take care of the safety of the finished cosmetic product. Everything that is approved for sale is scrupulously checked – or at least it should be.
Silicones are silicone-based chemicals that are used in many cosmetic products. Why? Because their function is to make products smooth and glide. In addition, silicones are great at thickening the product, improving its consistency. Interestingly, silicones provide the skin with quite a lot of protection against water loss and such cosmetics with silicones in their composition do not make the skin oily. It is usually creams, lotions and hair care products that contain silicones in their composition. Although they are popular substances used in mass production of cosmetics, they should be watched out for because if used regularly they can accumulate in the body. What does this mean? It means that the filling properties of these chemicals form a protective layer on our skin, which unfortunately clogs pores and makes it difficult for the skin to breathe properly.
Parabens, on the other hand, are preservatives that, when used in the long run, can also do harm to our skin. Parabens, like silicones, are a type of chemical substances that are used in the production of cosmetics. They primarily fight bacteria, which over time can begin to grow in the cosmetic, so as we mentioned earlier they act as a preservative. That is why cosmetics containing parabens have such a long expiration date. The presence of both parabens and silicones in cosmetics is still a very controversial topic. It is known that these substances had to pass a number of tests before they could be released into circulation, but they are still chemical compounds that, when used for a long time, are simply harmful to the skin.
Another controversial substances contained in cosmetics are SLS, or sodium lauryl sulfate. These substances belong to the fatty alcohols. For years they have been added to e.g. shower lotions or shampoos. These chemical compounds make the cosmetic foam well. However, they do not have a very good reputation, because they often cause skin irritation, cause allergies and dry out the epidermis. They may even lead to atopic dermatitis. Therefore, it is best to choose natural, plant-based cosmetic products with a shorter expiry date, but with a guarantee that they do not harm our skin.
