Is beauty really only skin deep? The average woman is exposed to over 500 toxic chemicals a day through the products she uses.
Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. With that being said, it is my firm belief that the most beautiful expression of my fellow humans is in their natural state without enhancement.
When we are considering “enhancing” our beauty with different products, we must also be mindful of their impact on our health. The average woman is exposed to over 500 toxic chemicals each and every day in their quest to “enhance” their beauty.
The infographic above highlights some of the common areas that chemicals are applied to the body, the most worrying chemicals in the products applied to those areas, and the possible side-effects from exposure to them. For anyone who can’t view the image, or wants the same information in a quick-reference format, here it is as a table:
| Product | Avg. Chemicals | Most Worrying Ingredients | Possible Side-Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | 15 | Sodium Lauryl Sulphate; Tetrasodium and Propylene Glycol | Irritation; possible eye damage. |
| Hairspray | 11 | Octinoxate, Isophthalates | Allergies; irritation to eyes, nose and throat; hormone disruption, linked to changes in cell structure. |
| Eye Shadow | 26 | Polyethylene terephthalate | Linked to cancer; infertility; hormonal disruptions and damage to the body’s organs. |
| Blush | 16 | Ethylparabens, Methylparaben, Propylparaben | Rashes; irritation; hormone disruption. |
| Lipstick | 33 | Polymenthyl methacrylate, Propykparaben, oxybenzone | Allergies; links to cancer; hormone disruption. |
| Foundation | 24 | Polymethyl methacrylate | Allergies; disrupts immune system; links to cancer. |
| Nail Polish | 31 | Phthalates | Allergies; linked to infertility issues and problems in developing babies; hormonal disruption. |
| Deodorant | 15 | Isopropyl Myristate, ‘Parfum’ | Irritation of skin, eyes and lungs; headaches; dizziness; respiratory issues. |
| Body Lotion | 32 | Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Oxybenzone, Polyethylene Glycol (also found in oven cleaners) | Rashes; irritation; allergies; hormone disruption. |
| Perfume | 250 | Benzaldehydes, phthalates | Irritation to mouth, throat and eyes; nausea; linked to kidney damage, hormone disruption, immunotoxicity. |
| Self Tan | 22 | Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben | Rashes; irritation; hormonal disruption. |
Chemical counts and ingredient names are transcribed directly from the infographic above and reflect that original source, not an independent lab analysis of any specific product.
Please check out the Environmental Working Group’s EWG Skin Deep database to inform yourself about your products and verify the toxicity potential of any products you may choose.
In Good Health,
Dr. Robles
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