You probably have heard that beauty products and cosmetics contain more than a couple harsh toxic chemicals. The fact that we put them on our skin is one thing. But, do you know what these products might be doing to the environment?
Let’s break this down. First, even if the products you use say natural, be skeptical. Companies can add a couple natural ingredients and call the product natural. If you’re going for natural, don’t be duped. Demand all-natural beauty products. Read the ingredient list that by law all companies must list. Usually, this list runs in descending order, meaning first on the list is the most prevalent in the product. The last on the list, the least.
Take a look at what you use to moisturize your face. Now compare it with Lost Remedy Renewal products. Go ahead. I’ll wait. Did you see any of these in the products you use? P-phenylenediamine; BHA or BHT; dibutyl phthalate, or DBP; triclocan; diethanolamine, or DEA? Any of those in the Lost Remedy products? Based on your comparison, I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
But let’s take this a step further. Once you wash away the products you use on your body, do you have any idea how it affects the environment? Well, this gets interesting. Let’s break it down.
1. P-phenylenediamine is a chemical derived from coal tar. It has long-term toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems such as diminishing the animal plankton population, altering fish behavior and causing death in many aquatic species.
2. BHA and BHT, synthetic antioxidants that are found in many lipsticks and moisturizers cause genetic mutations in amphibians.
3. Dioxane found in cream-based cosmetics, shampoos and soaps is a carcinogenic, endocrine disruptive chemical. Companies can remove dioxane contaminants, but the methods are costly and time-consuming so they don’t. It alters fish behavior and growth and increases fish mortality. It also kills insects, alters the formation and population of plant plankton, and causes behavior changes, population decline and death in animal plankton
4. Dibutyl phthalate, or DBP, is the chemical added to nail polish to keep the paint from becoming brittle. A highly DBP toxic environment causes death to all organisms in the ecosystem.
5. Triclocan, the antibacterial chemical used in cleansers, hand-sanitizers, deodorant, and laundry detergent, is also capable of accumulating in the environment. It is linked to genetic mutation in amphibians and animal and plant planktons, among other things. (Did you know that CBD is a natural antibiotic?)
6. Diethanolamine, or DEA, a ph adjuster, is added to almost every cosmetic and personal care product on the market. It accumulates in the environment and reacts with nitrates to form nitrosamines, highly carcinogenic to humans and animals.
We need to be as concerned about the environment as we are about our bodies. Killing off or altering the ecosystem has disaster written all over it. I don’t know about you, but I will certainly think twice about what I use to care for my skin and hair. Harsh chemicals or nourishing natural products? No brainer.