Cosmetics in India, some of which are endorsed by well known celebrities, have portions of mercury and chromium in them, reveals a recent study.In a recent study by CSE’s Pollution Monitoring Lab, it was found that 44 per cent of our fairness creams contain mercury which is universally acknowledged as toxic. And 50 per cent of our lipsticks contain chromium which causes cancer. The study tested 73 cosmetic products of four different categories for heavy metals: 32 fairness creams (26 for women and six for men) were tested for mercury. 30 lipsticks, eight lip balms and three anti-ageing creams were tested for lead, cadmium, chromium and nickel. The samples included Indian and international cosmetic brands along with a few herbal products.
‘Mercury is not supposed to be present in cosmetic products. Their mere presence in these products is completely illegal and unlawful,’ CSE director general Sunita Narain said in a statement. She also added that since 56 per cent of products tested mercury-free, the industry does have the capability to ‘clean up their act.’
‘Mercury is not supposed to be present in cosmetic products. Their mere presence in these products is completely illegal and unlawful,’ CSE director general Sunita Narain said in a statement. She also added that since 56 per cent of products tested mercury-free, the industry does have the capability to ‘clean up their act.’
Dr Dinyar Workingboxwalla, a renowned cosmetologist in his book Beauty Unleashed: A Comprehensive Guide To Getting Perfect Skin And Hair says, ’60 per cent of any substance applied to the skin is absorbed into the body (researchers estimate the average woman absorbs about two kilograms of chemicals through toiletries and cosmetics every year), and there is major concern that these substances can cause a wide variety of health problems, from allergies to cancers. It’s not individual ingredients that are harmful; these have each been tested for toxicity and safety. The problem arises because of the combination of these ingredients in a single product, and the use of a combination of products, all containing a number of chemicals. One lipstick, for instance, may contain six to eight preservators—some for the colour, some for moistness, and some for the fragrance. Together, they could be a harmful cocktail of toxic ingredients’.
Some related facts:
The average woman applies more than 500 chemicals to her body every day during her beauty routine, a study conducted by Bionsen – a natural deodorant company in the UK has revealed.
Another research by the University of California, Berkeley, found that lipsticks could contain as many as nine different metals, News.com.au reported.
The study suggested that a lipstick used twice a day, provides more than 20 per cent of a person’s acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aluminium, cadmium and manganese, while some exceeded the ADI for chromium – a metal that has been linked to stomach tumours.
It is now known that parabens mimic – synthetic preservatives in everything from toothpaste to shampoo – are the hormone estrogen, which raises concerns over a link to breast cancer and fertility issues.
Chandra Bhushan, CSE deputy director general, feels that the cosmetic industry in India lacks proper rules and regulations.
‘What is coming out very clearly is that this sector has extremely weak regulations and almost no enforcement of whatever laws that exist,’ said Bhushan in the statement.
CSE has approached companies who use these heavy elements. The companies claim that the use of these elements is unavoidable because they are a part of the ingredients. They also feel that their products are safe for long term use.
The easiest way to protect yourself and your health from toxic chemicals is to switch to reliable organic brands while doing a little research yourself. Here are some herbal alternatives to cosmetics.
Hair dyes:
Most synthetic hair dye products contain chemicals called secondary amines or tar derivatives that have been linked to cancer. Switch over to a natural hair dye used since times immemorial – henna. Combine with sesame oil and curry leaves, or mix with beetroot juice, or add into a mix of curd, lemon juice and tea – whatever the shade you desire, henna can help you get it and in the process, also keep your body cool.
Soapnuts (reetha) and shikakai – Gentle cleansing shampoo:
Shampoos available in the market make use of chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate to produce foam that can cleanse dirt and grease from hair. But along with this, they also remove all oil from the scalp that is so essential to nourish your hair. A natural alternative that avoids such damage is soapnut or reetha in combination with shikakai. Mix equal quantities of soapnut and shikakai powders and make into a paste with warm water; wash hair using this paste. If you find your hair feels a bit too dry with this 1:1 proportion, experiment with lesser quantity of soapnut powder.
Pomegranate seeds (anar ke dane) – Natural lip colour:
Exposure to the sun, smoking, dehydration and too much caffeine can darken your lips. But dark lips may also be a result of using lipstick daily for a prolonged time. The chemicals in it can cause this and you’ll need more lipstick to hide the darkness… the cycle goes on! Break this cycle and get back the natural pink of your lips with a scrub made from pomegranate seeds. Crush pomegranate seeds and mix in some milk cream; apply to your lips every day and your lips will be naturally red and full. You can also combine crushed pomegranate seeds with sugar and olive oil and use this paste to gently scrub your lips
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