The Cancer That Is In Your Home Right Now

More aptly, the killer that is in your home right now and you might have used it this morning, dousing your family’s bodies with carcinogens without you even knowing it! If you haven’t had the chance to examine your skincare products closely—perhaps doing a little research about all those scientific terms that only the manufacturers could understand– then you might be a victim of consumer misinformation. Don’t fret though, since you are not alone.

When it comes to our families, we should know that safety should always come first before anything else. The problem is, due to the kind of life we are living now where stopping to smell the flowers is already considered a crime, we rely on the things we hear and see through media. More often than not, media tends to be a manipulating tool. Whenever there is manipulation, expect deceit to be in close proximity as well.

We have seen its effects, not only to our bodies but to the environment as well. To humans, if we are lucky, we get as little as a rash but to a compromised, vulnerable body, you get cancer—the most deadly condition to date. As we go suffering from these so-called “skincare products”, the environment has its own set of problems to contend with due to the usage of these chemical laden products. For one, most of these chemicals are nonbiodegradable which means their composition wouldn’t normally breakdown. Although they won’t clog your sewage system as they are miniscule in size, just imagine what it can do to our underwater friends. It’s like putting poisonous gas in the air you breathe. Here’s a list of commonly used skincare products at home:

·    Alcohol
·    Mineral makeups
·    Mineral oil
·    Synthetic colors and fragrances
·    Talc
·    Triclosan

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Synthetic Fragrances

When shopping for a perfume, have you considered examining its label? Probably not, since you are only after its great smell and how will the fragrant product react to your body right? That also goes for your soaps, shampoos and other personal care products you use everyday.

The word fragrance in the ingredients section of your product label doesn’t necessarily mean natural fragrances were used especially if you bought it cheap. Synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum sources and it is specifically engineered to cheat your sense of smell by disguising as natural and they are cheaper than natural oil, much to manufacturer’s delight.

Of course, synthetics are always bad for our body so this one is not an exemption to the rule. Synthetic fragrances cause headaches, skin and respiratory problems, and hyperpigmentation and that is counting only the short term effects of this chemical. Actually, this substance doesn’t break down and they linger up to 2 days prior to washing. Traces of synthetic fragrances can also be found in human fat, breast milk and blood, which only prove that this chemical substance can infiltrate your body system.

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Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is a clear, colorless, oily liquid that comes from distillation of petroleum. Its raw form is crude oil and it is very cheap when purchased. The most common example of mineral oil is petroleum jelly. It can also be found with your baby oils, baby lotion and other baby care products in the market today. Mineral oil boasts of preventing chapping of the skin and cradle caps among infants hence establishing their market base from there.

A good pediatrician doesn’t encourage the use of harsh chemicals to your baby’s skin and they even advised mothers not to use chemical based products since baby’s skin is extra sensitive. Adults and infants alike, petroleum based products clog pores and prevent it from releasing toxins. Moreover, it will not allow your skin to breathe and breaks the natural cycle of it. One should be aware that mineral oil is toxic, and they cause cancer as well.

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PAHs, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Perhaps the most common example of PAH or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is petroleum jelly or Vaseline.  Vaseline was discovered during the late 1850’s and has since been marketed to the public for an array of uses.  Most of us use petroleum jelly for chapped lips, dry skin, as a make up remover and moisturizer.
Products containing PAH are baby lotion, lipstick, oil and petroleum jelly.

A study conducted by the Columbia University show that women breast tissues that were already cancerous had 2.6 more PAH levels than breast tissues of women who do not have cancer.

Vaseline is not cancerous per se.  It is the petrolatum present in the PAH that causes cancer.  Studies also show that they way a product is manufactured may cause petroleum jelly mixtures that contain possible human carcinogens.

The European Union has banned PAH in cosmetics since 2004.  The EU has called for cosmetic companies to remove PAH impurities from cosmetic products before they are manufactured for public consumption.

However, in the United States, no such regulation exists.  There may be some manufacturers which opt for petrolatum with lower PHAs but as we cannot be sure, it is better to be on the safe side.

If unsure, you can look for products which have been certified as organic or natural.  Manufacturers are now answering the call of the public to produce more products which promote health and environment issues so be sure to buy one which has been deemed safe for human consumption.

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Mineral Oil-Petroleum based products

Mineral Oil – A refined synthetic petroleum based oil. Widely used in commercial cosmetics. Mineral oil creates a barrier and interferes with the skins normal functions. A poor choice for skin care preparations.  This is commonly used in baby lotions and creams as well as in other cosmetic agents. It is odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic. This is a petroleum by-product which can clog your pores. This solid is often used as a main lip balm ingredient which is not really that healthy because it is easily digest.

Mineral oil is one of the most common ingredients in colored cosmetics and skincare products. Yet most people don’t know petroleum derived products  interfere with the body’s own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dry skin and chapping. You are being sold a product that creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is ridiculously cheap. These ingredients are already banned in the European union but are still used in the United States. The largest country in the world always seems to be behind when it comes to putting the safety of it’s consumers AKA it’s population first before profits.

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Health Risks of Petroleum Derivates in Cosmetic Products

Cosmetic industry, today, is closely related to petroleum as a number of ingredients used in beauty products are derived from petroleum. Creams, moisturizers, balms, gels, cleansers, soaps, and several toiletry products all carry one or more petroleum-based chemicals. And these petroleum derivatives are anything but safe for human health!

One of the main culprits in petroleum-based ingredients in cosmetics is propylene glycol – an additive used in shampoos, conditioners, and paints etc. Propylene glycol may cause annoying symptoms ranging from irritation of the respiratory tract and nausea to serious health problems like disorders of the liver and/or kidneys. Equally hazardous to health are isopropyl alcohols that are petroleum-derived antiseptics, also used for removing the waxy layer left on the skin by mineral oil used in skin care products. Isopropyl alcohols rob the skin of its natural moisture, rendering it dry and vulnerable to cracking; thus it allows microbes an inlet to enter the user’s blood and cause infections.

Even more alarming are the findings of a few studies that link petroleum-derived agents to cancer. Most notable of these derivatives is a carcinogenic remnant 1, 4-dioxane (C4H8O2) that is present in over 20 percent of cosmetics and toiletry products commonly used in some localities, 1, 4-dioxane has been shown to cause cancer in animals and hence it is potentially a serious threat to human health.

Parabens, derived from petroleum, are used as preservatives in a large number of cosmetic products. They have been found to cause premature aging of skin and hormonal abnormalities, and may even promote cancer, particularly breast cancer in women. There is some research-based evidence that continual exposure to parabens, during or shortly before pregnancy, can result in less fertile babies. There is particularly a greater risk for male babies who are likely to have a lower sperm count if exposed to parabens in vivo.

Many other adverse health effects are associated with petroleum-based chemicals used in cosmetics: ovarian problems in women; impairment of immune system; hormonal abnormalities and miscarriages; poor skin condition and acne; and many others – you name it and it is there. However, few cosmetic companies warn the consumers of their products’ health risks through safety labels on the containers. Obviously, the commercial interest involved far exceeds consumer health for cosmetic manufacturers.

So what are your alternatives? None other than the organically manufactured cosmetic products containing essential oils and non-toxic organic content that is health-friendly. Also important to remember is the fact cosmetics in plastic containers are less safe than those packed in wood and/or glass containers. Next time, on your visit to the cosmetic store, you should be wary of petroleum-based ingredients. Ask for natural organic beauty products. After all, health is the most perfect beauty of life.

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