As we age, our skin does not have the freshness of youth, and anything that will restore texture will appeal to most of us, man or woman. One way to do this is to use cosmetics that include makeup. Make-up allows us not only to show confidence and to build confidence, xenoestrogens interfere with social attributes, such as reliability, the gain of potential and competence.
One of the research on makeup reveals comment makeup an influence on people’s perception of their social status through domination and prestige. He was surprised. The researchers found that women who wear makeup look more dominant when judged by other women, but appear to be more prestigious when judged by men.
Whether it is dominance or prestige, the evidence shows that attractive individuals are perceived to possess a variety of positive attributions of personality. They are more likely to be hired for jobs than less attractive people; attractiveness can influence judgments about the gravity of crimes committed. In short, seductive people seem to lead a good life. Learn more about If you continue to change your skin care products?
Favorable effects of cosmetics on hormones
Besides personality, cosmetics also have a positive effect on emotions. Cosmetics increase positive emotions and thus influence the endocrine system. Studies have shown that cosmetics can decrease the level of stress hormone cortisol and strengthen the immune system to some extent.
For example, some perfumes such as those containing lavender or lemon oil can improve our mood. It has been found that inhalation of lemon oil improves positive mood and also increases the release of norepinephrine which improves our ability to concentrate, in addition to improving our mood.
Cosmetics and endocrine disrupters
However, all is not good with regard to the other hormonal effects of cosmetics, the most important (and most studied) cancers, especially breast cancer, caused by the xenoestrogens present in cosmetics. Learn more about Beware – Using Excessed Makeup Products May Harm Your Health
Xenoestrogens are chemicals that disrupt the functions of the endocrine system, causing health problems, including reproductive disorders of men and women, early puberty, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer breast cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and immune disorders.
What is the endocrine system and how do these chemicals disrupt endocrine functions? The endocrine system consists of glands that secrete hormones, which regulate –
- Body metabolism
- Growth and development
- the reproduction
- Responses to Stress and Injury
Xenoestrogens such as parabens, phthalates, and aluminum salts are endocrine disrupters that exert an estrogenic effect and disrupt the normal metabolism of natural estrogens, thus acting as carcinogens. Natural estrogen plays an important role in reproduction in men and women, bone growth, and blood clotting, and xenoestrogens interfere with the normal functioning of the hormone causing serious health problems.
For example, scientists have found that parabens stimulate the development and progression of human cancer cells by increasing the secretion activity of estradiol and aromatase.
Parabens are used as antimicrobial preservatives in cosmetics, such as body creams, antiperspirants, sun care products, lotions, and shampoos. These chemicals are quickly absorbed by the skin into the human body even from a single dose of a body care product, and the long-term results from exposure to these chemicals and the consequent development of cancer breast cancer and other cancers, say some scientists. Read here how your cosmetics can harm your skin
Bisphenol A (BPA) belongs to the same phenolic group as parabens and it mimics natural estrogens, androgens (male sex hormone) and thyroid hormones, producing over-stimulation, acting as endocrine disruptors. BPA can be used in cosmetics, including lipsticks, eye makeup, and nail lacquers.
Similarly, phthalates found in cosmetics such as hair cosmetics, deodorants, nail polish, and lotions affect the blood, urine, saliva, amniotic fluid, breast milk and cord blood. These chemicals enter by an oral route, although they can also enter through inhalation or through the skin. According to scientists, phthalates cause reproductive problems such as sperm damage, early onset of puberty in women, reproductive tract abnormalities, infertility and adverse effects of pregnancy.
Triclosan and triclocarban (TCS), used in personal care products such as toothpaste and soaps, are also endocrine disruptors that alter the thyroid hormone, estrogen, and testosterone function. Although toothpaste with triclosan reduces plaque and gingivitis, TCS does not benefit us in any other way.
Although the health effects of all these endocrine disrupters in cosmetics have been extensively studied, the research community still needs to find a definitive conclusion regarding its use in cosmetics. Although some studies have found that even a small exposure to these chemicals is harmful, others believe that multiple factors may be responsible for these health problems. Again, some studies have found that the percentage of these chemicals used in cosmetics do not harm human health.
What do regulations say?
Given that 75-90% of cosmetics contain parabens, many countries, including India, have adopted stringent regulations to contain the use of parabens in personal care products. The European Commission (EC) has banned five parabens (Isopropyl paraben, Isobutyl Paraben, Phenyl paraben, Benzyl paraben and Pentyl paraben) in all cosmetics and personal care products from April 2014. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) authorized the maximum concentration of parabens in cosmetic products to be 0.4 percent for the single paraben and 0.8 percent for the parabens mixture.
Similarly, in January 2015, the Cosmetics Committee of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) restricted triclosan to a maximum concentration of 0.2% in mouthwashes and 0.3% in other cosmetic products such as toothpaste, hand soaps and face powders. In India, the maximum authorized concentration of Triclosan as a preservative in cosmetics is 0.3 percent.
As regards phthalates, the EU and Australia have banned the use of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), bis (2-methoxyethyl) phthalate, isopentyl phthalate and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) in cosmetics. India has also restricted the use of these phthalates in cosmetic raw materials.
In the end, it is up to us to be conscious and consciously avoid buying cosmetic products that use these chemicals. Read labels carefully and stay away from these endocrine disruptors.