BEAUTY'S UGLY SECRETS

The sale of cosmetics has gone up several fold in the last few years. Healthcare watchdogs have issued several warnings of risks using an array of products from simple sindoor to expensive perfumes. Most cosmetics, including some branded as natural products, contain chemicals that could probably cause health problems such as skin allergies, infertility, birth defects and cancer IN THE NEWS  In February 2011, a study by the US Food and Drug Administration found  400 shades of popular lipstick contained trace amounts of lead  In June this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a warning against skin lightening soaps, creams and cosmetics like eye makeup, cleansing products and mascara, saying they could contain mercury SHAMPOO  AVERAGE NO OF CHEMICALS: 10  WORRY ABOUT Sodium Lauryl Sulphate | Skin and eye irritant; degenerative effect on cell membrane Mythlisothiazoline | Linked to neurological damage LIPSTICK  AVERAGE NO OF CHEMICALS: 30  WORRY ABOUT:  Polymenthyl Methacrylate  | Skin allergy, linked to cancer NAIL COLOURS  AVERAGE NO OF CHEMICALS: 30  WORRY ABOUT: Phthalates: Linked to fertilty problems DEODRANT  AVERAGE NO OF CHEMICALS: 32  WORRY ABOUT  Aluminum zirconium, Isopropyl Myristate | May cause hormone disruption HAIR SERUMS  AVERAGE NO OF CHEMICALS: 11  WORRY ABOUT Octinoxate: Allergies, irritation to nose, eye FOUNDATION  AVERAGE NO OF CHEMICALS: 20  WORRY ABOUT  Polymethyl methacrylate  Linked to cancer, disturbs immune system