Ever considered checking what actually goes into the beauty products you use everyday like shampoo, shower gel and makeup? Or do you just assume that if it has made its way to a supermarket shelf, it must be safe? Not true.
According to the Environment Working Group the FDA has 10,500 ingredients documented as being used in personal care products. Out of these ingredients, only 1,155 or 11 percent has been assessed for safety by the cosmetic industry. Interestingly, the FDA does not require personal care product manufacturers to register with them, nor are they needed to file a list of ingredients used in their product. These manufacturers are also not required to report any injury occurring due to the use of their products.
One such ingredient is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate. They are found commonly in close to 90 percent of foaming products like bubble bath, body wash, shampoo, toothpaste, make-up and even mouthwash. Apart from being used as an ingredient in these products, SLS and SLES are used to degrease car engines, clean garage floors and wash cars. These two chemicals are considered dangerous due to their denaturing properties, rending unpredictable changes to other ingredients when combined.
The American College of Toxicology reports eye malformation in children due to SLS and SLES, while animal studies indicate it caused eye damage, depression, diarrhoea and laboured breathing. A number of cases of skin irritation and outbreaks have also been accounted. Research also indicates they act as oestrogen mimics and could be linked to PMS, menopause, male infertility and breast cancer.