Guidelines to choice of cosmetics

You need to know !

Some beauty products contain carcinogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals that increase breast cancer risk. When deciding on this you should ask yourself which products you can do without; the best way to avoid chemicals is to use fewer products. Each product you cut from your beauty ritual decreases the number and quantity of chemicals to which you're exposed to.

According to EPA (2003) and NTP ( National Toxicology Program in 1993) research it has been determined that 1-3- butadiene chemical found in some cosmetics are air pollutant and it is also carcinogenic to human and females may be more vulnerable to the carcinogenic effects.

You shouldn't  have to endanger yourself to skin cancer and breast cancer. Research has found that many sunscreens contain chemicals that are estrogenic, disrupt the endocrine system and can play a significant role in breast cancer development. For example, octyl-methoxycinnamate, which is estrogenic and has thyroid hormone-disrupting effects, is found in over 800 sunscreens. Homosalate, a hormone-disrupting UVB blocker, is an ingredient in over 400 sunscreens.

State of the Evidence on Sunscreens (UV Filters)

The fear of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sun and the risk of cancer has result to widespread use of sunscreens. According to Hayden,1997 many sunscreens contain some chemicals that are estrogenic and lipophilic and it's now accumulating in wildlife and humans .It is indicated that the chemicals are and are found in human urine and breast milk.

Guide to your skincare product choice

Use fewer products with simple ingredients

Avoiding use of numerous product from your beauty ritual decreases the number and quantity of chemicals to which you're exposed.

Avoid products with DMDM hydantoin and imidazolidinyl urea;parabens or any word ending in "-paraben"; "PEG" compounds and words ending in "-eth"; triclosan and triclocarban; triethanolamine (TEA); hydroquinone and oxybenzone. You also want to avoid synthetic fragrance, which can contain hundreds of chemicals, including toxic phthalates.

Avoid These Top Offenders

• Anti-aging creams with lactic, glycolic, AHA and BHA acids
• Hair dyes, especially dark permanent dyes
• Liquid hand soaps with triclosan or triclocarban
• Nail polish and removers with formaldehyde,DBP or toluene (which can be contaminated with benzene
• Skin lighteners with hydroquinone
• Heavily scented products
• Moisturizers, ointments and skin creams with petrolatum (which can be contaminated with (PAHS)
• Fungicides, shaving creams, hair gels and hair coloring containing nonylphenol
• Hair spray, gel, mousse or shaving cream that contains isobutane, a propellant that can be contaminated with carcinogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals that increase breast cancer risk
• Sunscreens with UV filter that mimic estrogen.

Avoid "Fragrance"

Fragrance can contain dozens or even hundreds of chemicals including ethylene oxide, hormone-disrupting phthalates,and synthetic musks. It's best to avoid synthetic fragrance and go for products that are fragrance-free or that contain natural fragrances like essential oils.

Use Truly Natural Cosmetics

Look for natural beauty products or make your own out of common household ingredients.

Read the Label to Avoid Synthetic Ingredients.

Choose a nail salon that does not deal with benzene contaminated

If you go for a mani-pedi, select a nail salon that stocks only nail polishes free of the toxic trio (formaldehyde, toluene—which can be contaminated with benzene and dibutyl phthalate). Also look for a nail salon that has good ventilation for the entire shop. Choosing a nail salon that engages in these safety practices can help protect your health and the health of the workers who are there every day.

Conclusion

Visit a dermatologist and cosmetologist to get the Information You Need to Choose Wisely, like the say ''information is life'',don't be afraid to ask questions.Reputable services will be happy to discuss everything with you.

Write down any questions you want to ask so that you don’t forget them. The list could include questions about the product of your choice . For in-depth details Visit www.breastcancerfund.org.