Consumers are much more knowledgeable today than they used to be and they want to know what is in their beauty products.

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This is a good thing since our skin is the largest organ in our body and our head, with our brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth in a small area contains a lot of blood vessels and nerve endings.

According to the serious British newspaper The Telegraph, people who wear makeup every day or so absorb about 5 pounds (over 2 kilos) (!) of products and chemical compounds PER YEAR, through their facial skin!

So it's important to understand what you're putting on, right?

There are many controversial ingredients in our beauty products that we are not always sure of their real impact or "danger" to our health. Here is a little more information on some of them. If possible, try to avoid these ingredients! Fortunately, there are now more and more clean alternatives.

1. Fragrances

The word "fragrance" on a cosmetic almost always means "artificial fragrance". Only a few natural products, often from lesser-known and more expensive brands, use natural fragrances, either essential oils or plant extracts.

Are all artificial fragrances dangerous? The answer to this question is neither white nor black but full of nuances, which we will try to explain here...

First of all, it's a question of irritation: some people are very sensitive to the fragrances in products and will have different reactions, often after just one or a few applications. So if you have sensitive and easily irritable skin, choose products without perfume (there are more and more on the market).

But be careful! Reading the ingredients is still important. There are sometimes unscented products that still contain fragrances! Indeed, even if these products do not necessarily have a specific smell (for example grapefruit or jasmine), they will contain a small amount of synthetic perfume to mask or eliminate the smell of certain ingredients. I've already had an expert explain to me that some raw ingredients used in cosmetics have a slightly unpleasant smell, to begin with. And that if you want to use them, you have to counteract this smell that puts consumers off.

But the problem does not end there. Artificial fragrances are mostly derived from petroleum products. One authority on the subject, the Environmental Working Group (an independent nonprofit organization), has conducted numerous tests to build its database on the toxicity of beauty products, and the results indicate that "the average product contains 14 different fragrances, including chemical compounds that are associated with allergic reactions.

The organization adds that "many of these substances have not been evaluated from a safety perspective in personal care products and some of these ingredients have troubling hazardous properties, or a propensity to accumulate in human tissue."

In addition, product labeling laws and standards do not require manufacturers to disclose what fragrances they use, which is why most labels list only the word "Fragrance."

Basically, some artificial fragrances are probably not a problem, but it's impossible to generalize. Some have never been tested, others are known to cause reactions. If each beauty product we use contains 14 different fragrances, we can quickly find ourselves applying more than a hundred of these fragrances to our skin on a regular basis.

That's pretty scary! Especially when we know that we often use several products on a daily basis, which multiplies our exposure. It makes you think...

2. Parabens

Parabens are preservatives that allow products to have a longer shelf life. They also prevent or delay the growth of bacteria in cosmetics. They are very effective at doing their job, non-irritating, and have been used for a hundred years already.

The problem is that they have recently been associated with a risk of cancer, especially breast cancer, in addition to decreasing fertility and in the human body, that is to say, acting as endocrine disruptors.

If you're worried about this, it's become quite easy to avoid them in recent years, as many products have eliminated them, even in the cheap, mainstream brands. This is proof that companies listen (sometimes at least) when consumers speak up!

3. Phthalates

Basically, these are chemical compounds that allow formulations to remain soft and pliable. They are used in countless products, from cosmetics to plastics.

They are controversial because they are considered endocrine disruptors, which can cause damage to the reproductive system, liver, kidneys, and lungs. In addition, they are accused of being carcinogenic.

So it's clearly a good thing to avoid them by looking for products that are free of them. Again, many major brands including Revlon, Johnson & Johnson, and Unilever have already eliminated them or are in the process of doing so.

4. Triclosan

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent used primarily in liquid hand soap, but also in shower gels and toothpaste.

Many studies suggest that it is an endocrine disruptor and may be carcinogenic. The other problem is that the use of antibacterial products would not be really more effective than a simple wash with soap and water while being harmful from a public health point of view.

In fact, these agents would directly contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant super-bacteria. This is definitely not what we want! This ingredient should be avoided as much as possible.

5. Aluminum

It is used in antiperspirants, therefore blocking perspiration. For several years, it has been attributed to an increased risk of developing breast cancer but also Alzheimer's disease.

As for the link with Alzheimer's disease, the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease has already stated that aluminum "may well be the most aggravating and most easily preventable factor" linked to the development of the disease.

For alternatives, it's easy to simply use deodorant instead. Here's even an easy recipe for making your own.

6. Polyethylene glycol

This is an ingredient still regularly used in cosmetics as a thickening, softening, and moisturizing agent. It is found particularly in creams and moisturizers, shampoos and conditioners, and sunscreens.

The problem with this ingredient, which is also sometimes listed as a PEG on products, lies in its manufacture. According to some manufacturing processes, it is likely to have been contaminated with two highly carcinogenic agents, ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.

7. MEA∕DEA∕TEA

This family of chemical ingredients is used as a surfactant (thus to produce foam) but also to adjust the ph in some formulations. It is found in many products: mascaras, hair dyes, foundations, sunscreens, moisturizers, and perfumes. Phew!

Not only have they not been tested much so far... But they are also highly associated with allergies, endocrine disruption, as well as problems with fetal brain development. Ban them completely!

8. BHA and BHT

These ingredients are synthetic antioxidants, very commonly used as stabilizers to extend the shelf life of products on the shelves. They can be found in certain lipsticks (glosses, lip liners, etc.), but also in various moisturizers and other cream cosmetics. Clinical studies seem to show that they are endocrine disruptors, that they are carcinogenic, and that they could even cause liver damage.