The Environmental Working Group has been trying to spread the word for years. I myself have been trying to let people know through my blog and articles. It’s nice to see that other people are trying to help. While there are many concerns, the main one is cancer. Many of the chemicals approved for use in cosmetics are known or suspected carcinogens.
Researchers have said that it is time to start focusing on prevention. Treatments are becoming more effective. Mortalities are down. Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is no longer a death sentence. Yet the treatments used to extend a person’s life are known to cause other kinds of cancer. If you survive one, you might not survive the other.It has been estimated that 1.5 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2010. In order to get those numbers down, people need to learn about the causes and how to avoid them.
As a skincare expert, my focus is on cosmetics. The typical facial moisturizer contains dozens of different petrochemicals, as well as petrolatum, which is commonly contaminated with carcinogens.
Petrochemicals and petrolatum are byproducts created when crude oil is converted to gasoline. When you use moisturizers containing those ingredients, you are basically rubbing motor oil all over your skin. Doesn’t sound very pleasant, does it?
The major cosmetic companies do not want you to know about the hazards, because they don’t want to change their formulas. Petrochemicals and petrolatum are cheap. That’s why the cosmetic companies prefer them.
Many people think that the US government will protect them from hazardous chemicals. They believe that anything for sale in the health and beauty aisle of their local pharmacy must be safe. Nothing could be farther from the truth. No safety testing is required by the government.