In today’s world, people make use of cosmetics every day, whether it’s skincare, makeup or hair products. It is safe to say that about half of all people use at least one cosmetic product daily.
You’ve probably heard some cosmetologist speak against certain cosmetic products, probably because of the content of it. That’s because some of these products, even though designed to help with our skin concerns, still contain some harmful chemicals.
For example, a chemical called perfluorononyl dimethicone is sometimes found in cosmetics and it can lead to serious health issues. The good thing about this is that there are rules in different parts of the world to keep these dangerous chemicals out of these products that we use on a daily basis. Despite this, some of these chemicals still find their way into the products we use every day.
Recent Happenings
Did you know nearly one in every 16 cosmetic products on European shelves contain harmful chemicals that shouldn’t be there? The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recently discovered that around 6% of cosmetics, including trendy products like eyeliners, conditioners, and lipliners, still have banned ingredients in them.
After testing nearly 4,500 products, inspectors found concerns about chemicals like perfluorononyl dimethicone, which can break down into substances such as PFOA, which have been linked to serious health risks like infertility, cancer, and long-lasting environmental damage.
Perfluorononyl Dimethicone
This is a type of synthetic chemical that’s added to cosmetics to make them feel smooth, spread easily, and last longer. Overtime, this chemical can break down into harmful substances, like PFOA and PFCA, which are more stable and persist in the body as well as the environment.
PFOA, short for Perfluorooctanoic acid, is a well-known chemical that is linked to water and stain-proof coatings. This chemical was originally used in products to resist water and oil. PFOA is also known as the “forever chemical,” and can linger for a long time. It can build up in the body and eventually lead to cancer.
PFCA, on the other hand, is short for Long-chain Perfluorocarboxylic Acid. It is a group of chemicals that have similar properties used to resist heat, water, and oil. It was initially developed for industrial uses, PFCAs ended up in products like cookware and, occasionally, cosmetics. Just like PFOA, long-chain PFCAs build up in the body and lead to reproductive issues.
What Can You Do?
Firstly, you need to know how to read cosmetic labels. Look out for harmful ingredients like perfluorononyl dimethicone, PFOA, PFCA, and even D4 and D5. Besides that, they can also be other harmful chemicals you don’t recognize. If that ever is the case, search for the name online or use apps like EWG’s Skin Deep to check if it’s safe. Also labels having USDA Organic, or ECOCERT, show that the product has been approved for using safer ingredients in the production process.
Bottom Line
While cosmetics play a big part in our daily routines, it’s crucial to stay informed about the potential risks hidden in some ingredients. Harmful chemicals like perfluorononyl dimethicone, which can break down into toxins like PFOA and PFCA, are still showing up in some products, despite regulations.
