Cosmetic-chemicals linked to cancer and other problems

So, I consider myself one of those people you see reading the label of every product she picks up in the grocery store when it comes to what I put in my body. Well, today as I was surfing the web, I found a very eye opening article. It made me consider a product I use close to everyday on the biggest organ of my body -- my skin.

The article "Consumer groups fret over chemicals in teen cosmetics" in the USA Today exposes the common chemicals found in cosmetics, and what exactly these chemicals are linked to.

The article lists four common ingredients as: triclosan, parabens, synthetic musks and phthalates. Triclosan is linked to affecting the thyroid and is a preservative. The other three are hormones imitators are used mostly in fragrances. All four ingredients are linked to cancer.

The article goes on to recommend a website to check the ingredients in your own cosmetics (click on Skin Deep). This allows you to simple type in the brand or actual product of cosmetic you use and delievers to the results in seconds.

I've been know to run down to the local CVS for a quick fix when I run out of my normal make-up and grab something "cheap" for a last minute fix. Just for fun, I typed in a product which I have bought in the past, CoverGirl LashExact Mascara. And here are the results:


Ingredients in this product are linked to:

Cancer

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

Violations, restrictions & warnings

Allergies/immunotoxicity

Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes

Wow, and to think of the many advertisements that CoverGirl uses every year to attract new customers who could be you, your children, your best friends, and your neighbors.

There is something you can do to replace these cosmetics with life-changing chemicals, visit The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the goal of this campagin is to gradually remove these products with ingredients linked to cancer, birth defects and other serious health problems.