The Dangers Hidden in Personal Hygiene Products
There are a lot of personal care and beauty products that have chemicals in them that are harmful to humans and animals and also to our environment. In today's society consumers need to be more aware of the types of chemicals and ingredients that are being used in beauty and personal products. (1) The chemicals and ingredients in these personal care and beauty can be toxic for humans, animals and the environment as a whole. Some of these chemicals that can't be dissolved can soak into the ground or end up into the ocean which is hazardous to wildlife and marine animals, in particular. (2) Proctor and Gamble and Johnson and Johnson are companies that have a lot of beauty and health products that contain these hazardous chemicals. (3) The ingredients in these products can cause side effects like allergies and skin irritation. (4) Microbeads are used in a lot of beauty and personal health products unfortunately they aren't great for the environment because they can absorb toxins and eventually they end up in our waterways and oceans. (5) Some dandruff shampoos have chemicals such as zinc pyrithioze and they have side effects that can cause irritation to the eyes and skin. (6) FDA and U.S. laws, unfortunately, can't regulate and govern these companies that have these products in the market. They can't even enforce companies that label their products "all natural" or organic. It is at the discretion of the company on how much information they want the consumer to know on what is actually in their products.
(1) Chemicals in personal and beauty products are hazardous to humans, animals and marine life. There are a lot of chemicals in products such as shampoos, beauty products, and perfumes that we as consumers purchase and use on a daily basis. Little do we know is that most of the chemicals in these products are toxic and bad for humans and our environment. Chemicals such as formaldehyde are used in a variety of cosmetics and by using products that contain this chemical will eventually cause cancer. Another example that can make a bad impact on our environment is the bottles of sunscreen or beauty products that end up in landfills and this is harmful because most of the plastic is non bio-degradable. Some of the ingredients in these products can cause cancer, trigger allergies and may cause skin irritation. There are chemicals in the products that don't break down and can accumulate in our ecosystems, therefore harming the environment which isn't good for humans or wildlife at all.
(2)There are companies like Johnson and Johnson and Proctor and Gamble that sell a variety of personal and beauty health products that contain these toxic chemicals. For women it is always about looking flawless and trying to always look their best. Most women carry in their purses or bags some type of lipstick or powder so they can refresh their makeup. According to
Julie Gerstein (2010), a fashion resource writer for Harper’s Bazaar, some of these products
“contain preservatives like propyl paraben. This ingredient can irritate the skin or eyes and also cause serious allergies.” Studies have concluded that propylparaben is considered a moderate hazard even though it can cause more health problems for you in the future without you knowing it. Men, in general, usually put some kind of after shave lotion on their faces after shaving. Emilie Sennebogen, an entrepreneur and the owner of Mama Handmade Body Products, a company that produces a line of personal body care products and handmade olive oil soaps, has written an article about a chemical called benzyl acetate. Benzyl acetate is a solvent that can easily absorb in to a person’s skin. It contains carcinogens that studies have shown is linked to many health issues and even pancreatic cancer. In milder cases, it can be irritating to a human being’s eyes and respiratory system (Sennebogen, 2010). Consumers use a lot of products from Proctor and Gamble and they should educate themselves and start reading in what goes into the products that they use. Studies have shown that in today's society there are better choices for shampoos, toothpastes and other items that have natural ingredients and are safe for humans to use (Sennebogen, 2010). However, a consumer needs to at least be aware of what types of chemicals are deemed "good” or “bad". Some of the companies that are listed for having products that are not good for us to use are big named companies such as "The Body Shop", "Bath and Body Works", and even "Crabtree and Everlyn". These companies produce a lot of bath and body oils and lotions that women love to buy because of the smell. Unfortunately, the chemicals and ingredients in them are not really good for us humans. There is an ingredient called carcinogen which can cause cancer and it can also cause brain damage. There are still great products out there like Aveeno and Bumble Bee that is considered moderately safe for us to use (Sennebogen, 2010). Studies have shown that using coconut oil, castile soap and even shea butter are much better for our bodies than the products containing these harmful chemicals. Using natural oils and butter products can help with the growth of your hair and nails. Even using pure coconut oil can be used for medicinal aid for your body (Sennebogen, 2010).
(3) There are ingredients in these products that can cause side effects like allergies and skin irritation. An Environmentalist named David Suzuki wrote an article called “Dirty Dozen” explaining how there are all kinds of chemicals found in hygiene products that can cause damage to human body hormone function. There is a chemical called BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) which is almost similar to each other and these chemicals can also be found in lipsticks and moisturizers (Suzuki). Using products that contain these chemicals can mimic estrogen in females and prevent expression for male hormones. So basically these chemicals can interfere with a human’s hormone functions. Some of the ingredients in beauty and personal care products use industrial chemicals. This includes pesticides, carcinogens, and reproductive toxins (Suzuki). Many of these products have chemicals in them that cement laborers use to keep concrete soft (Suzuki). Can you imagine the damage that this can do to a person’s body? These silicon based compounds are used to soften, moisten and smooth a person’s skin. The downside of it is it is the same compound that they would use to seal building materials and use it for lubricants for automotive and building materials. It is very disturbing knowing that these are on the market shelves for consumers to buy and use and most of the general population don't realize how bad these chemicals are in the products that they are using.
(4) Another hazardous ingredient called microbeads is causing major damage to humans and the earth’s waterways. A few years back a popular ingredient hit the markets and they are called microbeads. It is so small that you wouldn't think this little bead is actually harmful to our environment as well as to human bodies. Popular toothpaste brands like Scope, Colgate and even Crest contain these dangerous microbeads. It is a small piece of plastic that can be abrasive to your teeth. If it is in your toothpaste it can also get stuck between your teeth and can cause some gingival irritation to your gums. When microbeads are used in face washes, they can be abrasive to your skin and if you have sensitive skin it may cause your skin to be irritated and red. Unfortunately consumers buy these products because they believe it’s a necessity for personal hygiene (Sennebogen, 2010). Bigad Shaban, a reporter for “cbsnews.com”, covered a story where samples of American water treatment plants were tested for microbeads after the filtration process. In some cases, these tiny beads of plastic were present even after the water had gone through the city’s filtration plant (Shaban, 2014). Studies have shown that these beads actually soak up pesticides and chemicals after they are washed down in our drains and travel down into the water systems (Shaban, 2014). Eventually they end up in the ocean. As these beads are traveling down the drainage system they are picking up and absorbing all of these toxin waste and then end up into our ocean. Fish and other sea life accidentally eat these micro beads and it’s a cycle of where the fish eats the beads and the fisherman captures the fish then sells it to the fish market. Eventually the fish ends up on your plate and you’re eating a fish that has eaten micro beads that are toxic so definitely not healthy for human consumption (Shaban, 2014).
(5) Dandruff shampoos that are labeled with “anti-dandruff” don’t always work and there are side effects. Pat Thomas (2008), a writer for The Ecologist, wrote in an article that “dandruff shampoos contain detergents that contain “anti-flaking” agents such as zinc pyrithizone, coal tar and salicylic acid.” These ingredients can relieve itching and decrease flaking. Unfortunately they cannot control dandruff entirely. All anti flaking agents have side effects. For some people that are sensitive they can cause irritation to a person’s eyes and also their skin (Thomas, 2008). Studies have shown that salicylic acid can be severely irritating and if a human consumed this ingredient it would be hazardous because it is poisonous for human body. Some shampoos have labels on the front that has zinc pyrithione. This chemical not only causes skin to become irritated and in certain animal studies this chemical can damage the immune system and organs (Thomas, 2008).
(6) Not all labels that say natural are true because they aren't governed well by the FDA. Studies have shown that products that are labeled "natural" are potentially misleading and false. As consumers we try our best to be more "green friendly" and spend a little more on health and beauty products that are labeled " all natural" or "organic" because we think that it safer for us to use. Unfortunately this isn't the case. According to Craig Payne (2010), a writer for “naturalcosmeticnews.com,” “over 4,000 consumer products was discovered that they couldn't verify and confirm that the ingredients in these products are all natural or organic or even environmental friendly.” For consumers, the government and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) do not define or regulate products that are labeled "natural". Consumers assume that when they are purchasing an item that says "natural” or “organic" on the front that it is healthy and safe for a person to use. People may also think this product is probably safe for the environment as well, which isn't the case at all (Payne, 2010). Most companies are not required to disclose the usage of some of the ingredients that they use for their health and beauty products (Payne, 2010). Elisha Mcfarland, a writer for “Naturalnews.com”, wrote an article describing how in 2012 there was an environmental group, 5 Gyres, that did research in the Great Lake area and they gathered samples from the lake that they “estimated contained 1.5 to 1.7 million micro beads and other plastic particles” (Mcfarland, 2013). The highest concentration was discovered in the Lake Erie area. Since the temperatures in the water are cool it takes a long time for the micro beads to breakdown. Some helpful hints for consumers on what to look for on labels regarding micro beads are ingredient's like "polyethylene", which is just another word for plastic (Mcfarland, 2013). The FDA and our U.S. laws, unfortunately, can only regulate and enforce laws with products that has chemicals in them that doesn't cause any concerns for the general welfare of consumers. Unfortunately for the FDA they have to prove that a product has an ingredient that is harmful when it is used as intended (Payne, 2010). They base these decisions on reliable scientific information that is available to the consumer. In other countries like Europe they have their own rules and regulations when it pertains to their health and beauty products. Unfortunately the FDA here in the United States can only take into consideration the other countries decisions but can only take action within the legal framework for the cosmetic industry here in the U.S. (Payne, 2010).
Many of the personal hygiene and beauty products on the market today contain ingredients that are harmful to humans, animals, and the environment. The ingredients in these products can cause side effects like allergies and skin irritation. Microbeads, which are used in a variety of beauty and personal care products, harm the environment because they are not biodegradable and eventually end up in our waterways and oceans, killing marine life. Some dandruff shampoos contain chemicals which cause side effects that can cause irritation to the eyes and skin. The FDA and U.S. laws, unfortunately, are unable to regulate and govern these companies, such as Proctor & Gamble, that manufacture these products. They can't even enforce companies that label their products "all natural" or organic. It is at the discretion of the company on how much information they want the consumer to know on what is actually in their products. For this reason, it is very important that the consumer educate themselves on the dangers of these products.

References
Gerstein, J. (2010, February 8). Secret lipstick ingredients revealed your perfect shade is... 'retinyl palmitate red'? Retrieved October 26, 2015, from http://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/makeup/advice/a485/lipstick-ingredients-020410/
Sennebogen, S. (2010, December 7). Are there harmful chemicals in aftershave? Retrieved October 26, 2015, from http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/men/shaving-tips/chemicals-in-aftershave3.htm
BHA and BHT. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2015, from http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics---bha-and-bhti/
Thomas, P. (2008, July 1). Behind the label: Head and shoulders classic clean. The Ecologist. Retrieved from http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/behind_the_label/269804/behind_the_label_head_and_shoulders_classic_clean.html
Payne, C. (2010, February 4). Misleading "natural" claims. Retrieved October 22, 2015, from http://www.naturalcosmeticnews.com/focus/misleading-natural-claims/
Shaban, B. (2014, May 6). Microbeads could be harming the environment, scientists say. Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/microbeads-could-be-harming-the-environment-scientists-say/
Mcfarland, E. (2013, August 7). Microbeads in personal care products are polluting our oceans and lakes. Retrieved October 26, 2015, from http://www.naturalnews.com/041515_microbeads_environmental_pollution_personal_care_products.html
Guidance and Regulation. (2015, February 27). Retrieved October 27, 2015, from http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/GuidanceRegulation/default.htm