over the week, with every post that i write, a recurring question i have is: at what costs? what lengths are people willing to go to in order to achieve the ideal beauty standards. when the targets are achieved, then standards change. just like the ever-changing yardsticks of beauty, cosmetic trends change all the time. word-of-caution before you slap on your next lip colour, do make it a point to find out what you are putting on yourself.
cosmetics (colloquially known as makeup or make-up) are care substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. they are generally mixtures of chemical compounds, some being derived from natural sources, many being synthetic. in the united states, the food and drug administration (fda) which regulates cosmetics, defines cosmetics as 'intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions.' this broad definition includes, as well, any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product.
not meant to scare you but here are some of the disadvantages of makeup:
allergic reactions: one of the most common problems experienced with makeup is an allergic reaction. in many cases, a person doesn't know they are allergic to the makeup until after using it with adverse results. the chemicals can cause rashes, acne, itching or dryness, wherever the makeup has been applied. the reaction can be nearly undetectable to quite severe. allergies can be determined by visiting a physician and completing a 'patch test'. during the test, the doctor applies certain chemicals to a small area of the skin then waits for a few days to see what reaction, if any, occurs. once an allergy becomes apparent, consumers can avoid makeups that contain the problem chemical.
acne: certain makeups clog pores more than others. liquid or cream makeups clog pores the most, while powder makeups and especially mineral makeup tend to leave skin a little clearer. when heavier makeup gets into the pores of the skin, it can be difficult to fully wash all the makeup away before going to sleep. when makeup is left in the pores, it attracts dirt and oil, which in turn combine to create blackheads. blackheads basically consist of dirt that has gotten stuck within the skin, and they are often visible and can be removed. after a while, the blackhead will turn into a full blown blemish, which is an small bacterial infection. these do not last forever and can be 'extracted' from the skin, but they can quite painful. many people try to cover up blemishes with more makeup, which can actually make the problem worse by attracting more oil or dirt to the inflamed skin. in order to avoid this, it is best to find a makeup with washes off easily and possibly contains some antibacterial ingredients.
cancer: even though there has been a dramatic increase in the creation of 'natural' or 'organic' makeup products, there are still many brands that use potentially dangerous chemicals in the creation of their lines. not all the ingredients in each product are tested for long-term safety and although they are tested to make certain that there will be no immediate harmful results, some chemicals have been linked to cancer. it is rare, however, for the millions of people that use makeup daily, the risk increases. chemicals like amorphous hydrated silica have been shown to contain small amounts of crystalline quartz, which has been linked to the development of cancer. chemicals like this are absorbed through the skin, and also breathed in, bringing the toxins to the lungs.
in conclusion, do take care of your skin... after all, it is the largest organ of the body.
fash'on... BAM!
