Today’s Beauty Product additive is Formaldehyde
When you think of formaldehyde, it may conjure up images of frogs floating in jars from your high school biology classroom. The truth is, however, that many of your personal care products contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and you may not even know it. And believe me, that is creepy!
What Is Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is used to prevent bacteria from growing in water-based products, particularly shampoo and liquid body soaps. But it can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin, and has been linked to skin allergies and cancer.
This chemical was deemed as a human carcinogen by The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens (IARC) and has been linked to occupational related cancers: nasal and nasopharyngeal. It is known to cause allergic skin reactions and it may also be harmful to the immune system.
The use of formaldehyde in personal care products has been restricted by the European Union, Canada, Japan and Sweden, but not in the United States. Products including nail polishes, nail glues, eyelash glues, hair gels and hair-smoothers like the Brazilian Blowout, often contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are even found in baby shampoos, soaps and body washes.
The problem is that formaldehyde is widely known to cause allergic skin reactions in some people and is a known carcinogen—some research has even found a strong link between formaldehyde and Leukemia.
Formaldehyde in Hair Straighteners – Despite label claims of being “formaldehyde-free”, many keratin-based hair straighteners, when tested, were found to contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. The levels of formaldehyde found were fairly low, and shouldn’t pose a hazard if you’re only straightening your hair a few times a year, but more often than that isn’t a great idea. And stylists, who use the products on their customers regularly, are at risk.
Another one to avoid in my book!
My products are 100% Natural, I use Beeswax in my products which is naturally preserving, additives are NOT required to keep bacteria at bay.
Please do ask me about any queries or concerns about the additives in your products.
Stay Healthy!
This chemical was deemed as a human carcinogen by The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens (IARC) and has been linked to occupational related cancers: nasal and nasopharyngeal. It is known to cause allergic skin reactions and it may also be harmful to the immune system.
The use of formaldehyde in personal care products has been restricted by the European Union, Canada, Japan and Sweden, but not in the United States. Products including nail polishes, nail glues, eyelash glues, hair gels and hair-smoothers like the Brazilian Blowout, often contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are even found in baby shampoos, soaps and body washes.
The problem is that formaldehyde is widely known to cause allergic skin reactions in some people and is a known carcinogen—some research has even found a strong link between formaldehyde and Leukemia.
Formaldehyde in Hair Straighteners – Despite label claims of being “formaldehyde-free”, many keratin-based hair straighteners, when tested, were found to contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. The levels of formaldehyde found were fairly low, and shouldn’t pose a hazard if you’re only straightening your hair a few times a year, but more often than that isn’t a great idea. And stylists, who use the products on their customers regularly, are at risk.
Another one to avoid in my book!
My products are 100% Natural, I use Beeswax in my products which is naturally preserving, additives are NOT required to keep bacteria at bay.
Please do ask me about any queries or concerns about the additives in your products.
Stay Healthy!