Potential Health Hazards Of Cosmetic Products

As the third volume of a trilogy on Plants in cosmetics, this study concerns potentially harmful components which occur naturally in some plants the ingredients of which could likely be used in cosmetic products. Its aim is to raise awareness on the implication on consumer health by use of such ingredients and to trigger preventive measures. The 24 data sheets of components, selected by the authors because they are not regulated specifically in cosmetic legislation, give useful information particularly for the competent authorities and the manufacturers of raw materials and cosmetic products, mainly based on currently available pharmaco-toxicological data. Each monograph includes a bibliography and conclusions / recommendations.

"What you should know before you buy."--Cover.

Lamas defines the potentially harmful chemicals for consumers to be aware of when purchasing beauty products and exposes this dark side of the beauty industry.

Over 400 years ago, Swiss alchemist and physician Paracelsus (1493-1541) cited: "All substances are poisons; there is none that is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy." This is often condensed to: "The dose makes the poison." So, why are we overtly anxious about intoxications?In fact, poisons became a global problem with the industrial revolution. Pesticides, asbestos, occupational chemicals, air pollution, and heavy metal toxicity maintain high priority worldwide, especially in developing countries. Children between 0 and 5 years old are the most vulnerable to both acute and chronic poisonings, while older adults suffer from the chronic effects of chemicals. This book aims to raise awareness about the challenges of poisons, to help clinicians understand current issues in toxicology.

Cosmetic products are designed for use on human body for beautifying and promoting attractiveness and appearance; for these reasons, cosmetics are in high demand especially among women of all ages in every country. Despite many vulnerabilities associated with cosmetic usage, the cosmetic and ,Äòmakeup,Äô continues to enjoy wide acceptability irrespective of age and sex. This is made possible by massive advertising employed by producers and marketers of cosmetics. Advertising is the link between manufactured products and would-be consumers; it plays a crucial role in determining the product that is mostly patronised and vice versa. Therefore, ethical advertising that promotes utilitarian benefits of cosmetics should be encouraged over and above emotional advertisement that lowers self-esteem of consumers and offers such products as solution to their low self-esteem. Despite the ban in many countries of poisonous substances in cosmetic products, inexhaustive list of substances, such as lead, chromium, nickel, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, hydroquinone, steroids, nitrosamine, etc. are still present in many cosmetic products. In most cases, above regulatory values, cancers, renal disorders, thinning and easy brushing of the skin, dermatophyte infection with lesions, macular hyper pigmentation, pityriasis vesicular, diabetes mellitus, micropapular eruption, hypertension, etc. are possible toxicological and health hazards that may be associated with continuous cosmetic application.

Ingredients are used in cosmetics to give them specific properties. Certain ingredients, so called active ingredients, may produce pharmacological or toxic effects under certain conditions. Cosmetic products containing such ingredients may pose a health risk both because of their potential toxicity and because they may mask underlying serious diseases and consequently cause a dangerous delay in diagnosis and treatment.The objective of this study is to give safety information on certain active ingredients which give raise to toxicological concerns and for which restrictions of use in cosmetics should be considered.Monographs were prepared for 45 active ingredients for which no specific regulations exist including, inter alia, information about uses, properties, a risk evaluation of the use in cosmetic products considering as toxicological endpoints both systemic and local effects. Each monograph includes a bibliography, conclusions and recommendations.The study complements a series of three volumes containing monographs about the safety of certain natural ingredients used in cosmetics and will serve as a useful reference in the field, for health authorities, manufacturers and health professionals in particular.

Every year we each absorb an estimated 2 kilograms of chemicals through beauty and cosmetic products. Chemicals found in lipsticks, skin lotions and hair dyes have been linked with tumours, cell mutation, allergies, reproductive complications, endocrine disruption and cancer. Isn't it time we all paid more attention to exactly what goes into the eye shadows, body washes and deodorants we love to use? This compelling and timely book tells you the key chemicals you should avoid, reveals just how natural 'organic' beauty products really are, and features a directory highlighting the health issues surrounding a wide range of products, from hair gel to sunscreens.