HIDDEN DANGER IN YOUR HERBAL COSMETICS

Many consumers don't realize the hidden dangers lurking in their so called 'herbal products'. As the labels do not specify exactly what ingredients has gone into the products. A cream or shampoo cannot be made of just herbs or herbal extracts, and in absence of requirement of any safety tests of cosmetic products, many different untested chemicals and low cost synthetic compounds derived from petroleum goes into the product making it as dangerous and chemical cocktail of allergies.

Phthalates, or phthalate esters, are a top hazard in fragrance mixtures. And these fragrances are mixed with essential oils to give natural look and added to the herbal products for long lasting fragrances. These are a group of chemical compounds that are mainly added to plastics to increase their flexibility. Phthalates can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled causing a wide range of health and reproductive problems.

In contrast, natural fragrance ingredients such as essentialoils are obtained entirely from plants. When properly prepared, they have not been associated with significant adverse reactions. However, the natural ingredients are more expensive than synthetic chemicals, resulting in fewer skin care product manufacturers using them.

Similarly use synthetic preservatives such as Parabens (propylparaben, ethylparaben and butyparaben), While they are broad spectrum preservatives, it has striking similarity to the hormone oestrogen. Parabens could be mistaken for oestrogen by the body and disrupt the endocrine system causing depression or cancer.

A shampoo without Sulphates (sodium laurel sulphare or sodium laureth sulphate - foaming agents made from sulfuric acid, monododecyle ester and sodium) is arguably been called one of the most dangerous ingredients in products today. Used up to 15% in essential cosmetics like bath gels, shampoos, is corrosive by nature. It can dry out skin by stripping the protective lipids from the surface of the skin, weakening the body's natural moisture regulation mechanisms. Eats away at the follicle causing hair loss.