Cosmetic materials have become one of the “sine qua non” of our lives in recent years. The number of products we use for beauty and care and the share of cosmetic materials in our personal expenses is increasing day by day.
While the cosmetics industry is living its golden age in terms of product diversity, the active ingredients found in some products and found to pose a risk to our health frequently occupy the agenda of the cosmetics industry.
Many cosmetic products that fill the shelves today contain at least a few of the harmful additives mentioned. Many countries have had to turn to new research after realizing this insidious danger. While developed countries tend to natural ingredients that do not pose a risk to health in almost all areas, they have started to produce cosmetic products using natural additives in the cosmetics industry.
Research has shown that these additives, which cause allergic reactions and irritation on the skin, cause extremely risky and fatal conditions such as cancer in case of long-term exposure.
Sodium Laureth / Loryl Sulfate (SLES / SLS)
Two of the surfactants commonly used in cosmetic materials are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). These ingredients are not derived from natural sources such as palm or coconut oil. They are formed from sulfur trioxide and chlorosulfuric acid. Although Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), which cause infections and rashes on the skin, are prohibited in the content of many products, it is found in the majority of many other health and beauty items such as in all commercial shampoos, especially skin creams and toothpastes.
How Does It Act?
The active ingredients in cosmetics show distribution and accumulation throughout the body, especially the skin, respiratory tract and digestion. If the rate at which these contents are destroyed from the body is slower than the rate it is taken into the body, it will be highly toxic for the body.
SLS / SLES, which are in the contents of many cosmetic products and penetrate into tissues through blood circulation when applied to the body, spreads from there to the heart, liver, lungs, brain and eyes. SLS / SLES, which remain in the tissues of our body for a long time, cause cancer, endocrine (hormone) deterioration, eye deterioration, hair loss, excessive skin sensitivity and dryness in the skin.
What to do?
The main safety step for cosmetic users is the warning letter on the product. It is important for your health to read the product label carefully while buying a cosmetic product and not to consume harmful ingredients. In addition, consulting a dermatologist or cosmetologist before using the product, not using stale or expired products, using products manufactured in accordance with EU standards, choosing products that were clinically, dermatologically and toxicologically tested will protect you against damage caused by cosmetic products.