Revealed: the secret truth about the beauty industry (part 12)
Have you ever checked what you use on your hair at all?
Hair styling products hold your hair in shape by creating a film on its surface. The polymers contained in those products are more or less the same as the polymers used in paints and adhesives. Try a styling gel designed to hold even in extreme circumstances – you will realise the similarity between adhesives and the styling gel.
These are the two main polymers (and the names on which you will find them among ingredients):
- Vinyl acetate/crotonates/vinyl neodecanonate copolymer
- Octylacrylamide/acrylates/butylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer
What is hair styling gel made of?
- Polyquaternium-11 – antistatic filmy material. Potentially carcinogenic, it may irritate respiratory organs and the skin. It’s non-degradable.
- Polysorbate 20 (Polysorbat 20, polysorbatum 20, Crillet 1, E 432, Ml55f, Polyoxyethylene(20) Sorbitan Monolaurate, Sorbimacrogol Laurat 300, Tween 20) – emulsifier, surfactant. It makes the skin more permeable for toxins and may also irritate the skin.
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone (5-Chlor-2-Methyl-3(2h)-Isothiazolone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylchloro Lsothiazolinone) – preservative. Toxic and capable of transforming proteins and genes. It may release carcinogenic nitrosamines. Allergen. It kills the beneficial bacteria of the skin. Canada and Japan are already restricting its use in cosmetics.
- Tetrasodium EDTA – suspected to be toxic. It’s made by using carcinogen formaldehyde and sodium cyanide.
- Methylparaben (Methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate) – hinders proper enzyme functions. Potentially carcinogenic. It’s a neurotoxin which may irritate the skin and cause allergic cross-reactions.
- Fragrance (perfume) – a mix of synthetic scents, see above.
The rule is the same as ever: products made from natural, vegan ingredients are much better both for you and your environment. There are some natural hair foams and styling sprays out there – it’s best to choose from those!
It’s best to throw away all cosmetics which contain synthetic colours, scents and other chemicals. Take control over your skin’s health now!
Have a wonderful and chemical-free day,
Andrea Varga-Darabos
PS: I feel honoured by your decision to learn from me. However, if you want more in-depth knowledge on these subjects, click here
