We're all aware that the beauty products we use are made up of a long list of ingredients, some of which we can hardly pronounce. And the fact that over the years there have been plenty of media panics about the various stuff that goes into cosmetics does not make things any easier.
So what do we do? Do we abandon all manufactured beauty products and go DIY/all natural? Or do we ignore the hype and keep on using what we know works best for us?
Well I've been digging around the internet and found some useful scientific information to help you make the right decision. Here are a few things which you should be wary of:
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| Photo by Aih. |
- Eyelash serums: requiring application for up to four months to see results, these serums can permanently darken the skin around your eyes and turn your irises brown. A safer option would be using eyelash extensions.
- Tanning beds: frequent trips to the solarium have been scientifically proven to raise your risk of melanoma and cause premature ageing (i.e. wrinkles and brown spots). Avoid the UVA rays by using a spray tan instead.
- Parabens: the most common preservative in cosmetics, parabens are often blamed for breast tumours, however scientific research has not found any direct links between the two. If the p-word still bothers you, look for products which use vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate) as preservatives instead.
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| Photo by alli |
A final word of caution, no matter how "chemical-free" and "natural" your beauty products may seem, they can become toxic beyond their expiry date. Make sure yo change your foundation and lipstick after a year, your blush powder after two years and your mascara every three to four months.
Stay safe
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