lfFE ona SCYIE

‘BEAUTY ‘INSIDE AND ©

  
 
  

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espite our economy’s attempts to
D= green” and favour a “vegan

styled” cosmetic regime with a
focus towards natural compounds and
organic materials, most major North
American companies still mass produce
beauty products and cosmetics that are
full of harmful carcinogenic compounds.
Thanks to the FDA setting the standard
that cosmetics are a “secret trade”,
consumers are left clueless and therefore
buy into a beauty myth that is hopeless
and deadly.

While the ingredient in your
mascara or blush may not be on your
top ten list of things to discover in
a day, it may be worth researching.
Carcinogen nitrosamine is a chemical
compound which was banned in Canada
and Europe due to its cancer causing
qualities. However, nitrosamine is a
regular ingredient used in manufacturing
mascara, blush, concealer, eye-liner,
foundation, anti-aging creams, and
eye-shadows; which is the modern day
women’s entire make-up bag.

Beauty products have two types
of carcinogens: “Frank” carcinogens
which are carcinogenic themselves
and “Hidden” carcinogens that have
carcinogenic properties that turn

10

into cancer causing agents once they
undergo change or are mixed with other
compounds.

After surveying a group of women
ranging from 19-55 years, the number
one beauty product women cannot go
without is mascara; the magical wand
that extends your lashes, accentuates your
eyes, and is closest to one of the most
sensitive areas of the body. Mascara is
considered one of the top carcinogenic
beauty products, and consequentially,
the very beauty tool women will not go
without.

After doing some of my own
research, which is more difficult thanks
to the “secret trade” of cosmetics,

a short list of “Frank” carcinogenic
mascaras include Revlon mascara,
Maybelline mascaras, and Covergirl lash
products. Maybelline mascara contains
lanolin; which is a chemical compound
contaminated with DDT and other
carcinogenic pesticides, while Covergirl
mascara’s contain quarternium -15, which
releases formaldehyde. Just think ladies;
this is on your eyelashes.

All of these companies use
butylated hydroxyanisole [BHA] in their
mascara’s. The US National Institute
of Health discovered and proved that
BHA is linked to human cancers and
acts as a carcinogen. Their research
included injecting rats and hamsters
with large doses of BHA and the result
was the development of papilloma’s and
squamous cell carcinomas on the animals.

Escaping carcinogenic compounds
is impossible, but it helps to know what
you are putting on your face day in, day
out, for up to 12 hours a day. Quick tip:

use mineral based beauty products instead.

While they are a bit pricier, mineral and

 

organic compounds are better for your
skin, your eyes, and the environment,
and contain absolutely no carcinogenic
compounds, formaldehyde, nitrosamine,
or DDT.

 

 

 

 

B.C. youth to a conference
in Vancouver from August 19-21, 2011

If you're aged 18-30, live in BC, and want to
learn about transportation, sustainability and
planning, apply to attend by January 31, 2011.

See translink.ca/bcyouthsummit for full details!

jee ei TRANs/AINK

We're inviting

— all expenses paid!