Most skincare and beauty cosmetics contain 15-20 different chemicals, including heavy metals that do not dissolve and can easily accumulate in the cell membranes, such as mercury, lead, zinc, and cyanide.
Sunlight can cause dark spots, monsoon winds can dry out the skin, and high temperatures can lead to burns and pigmentation issues. Additionally, dust and polluted water can cause inflammation and acne. Moreover, cosmetics can also damage the skin due to:
Ingredients with excessively high toxin levels that skin cells cannot tolerate
Most skincare and beauty products contain heavy metals that do not dissolve and can accumulate in cell membranes, such as mercury, lead, zinc, and cyanide. Even glycerin, one of the most basic chemicals commonly used in cosmetics, comes in about 10 varieties with purity levels ranging from 96% to 99.9%. The less pure glycerin, derived from petrochemical technology, costs only 1/5 to 1/7 of the price of that extracted from coconut or palm oil (approximately $345 per ton compared to $1,800-$2,600 per ton). These contain many impurities, which can lead to adverse reactions for consumers.
Similar issues arise with makeup powders and lipsticks: talc powder and color powders often have high levels of toxins (lead), and fragrances (alcohol, aldehyde) can easily cause allergies, particularly dark spots and skin ulcers.
Active ingredients in cosmetics that cause adverse effects
In addition to the basic ingredients that create emulsions for creams or foams using surfactants, manufacturers often add certain active ingredients aimed at “softening skin” or “whitening skin,” such as synthetic smoothing wax, honey to exfoliate the keratin layer on the epidermis, or extremely potent antibacterial and peeling agents like corticosteroids and hydroquinone, which can cause skin peeling, blistering, and even pigmentation burns.
There are even some moisturizers that mix in antibiotic active ingredients or anesthetics to achieve rapid “beautification” effects. Since the 1970s, to avoid adverse effects and bodily reactions, advanced manufacturers have been striving to return to natural, herbal, or vitamin-based active ingredients derived from biotechnology. These have good permeability and compatibility with skin cells while minimizing skin irritation (to prevent the development of antibodies against – anaphylactic shock).
Unsanitary manufacturing processes prone to bacterial and mold contamination
The famous Japanese cosmetics manufacturer Pola once stated, “Nothing is easier than making cream, yet nothing is more difficult than this profession,” when describing the first step in cosmetics manufacturing. Pola started with a fruit blender to create emulsification reactions for creams in a kitchen.
Of course, Pola could not succeed this way and discovered that “everything followed the correct formula, but the cream still spoiled and went bad.” The cosmetics manufacturing process is quite strict; it does not stop at “weighing, measuring, and counting” accurately but also involves rigorous checks for microbial bacteria, pressure, temperature, and time in the preparation room.
Many creams become moldy and contaminated during production as well as during customer use (due to dirty fingers dipping into the cream), leading to spoilage, separation, and degradation of the oil and water in the cream, making them unusable.
Sensitive skin does not adapt well to “foreign substances”
Many people with sensitive skin do not adapt well to “foreign substances” (chemicals) in cosmetics, making them prone to allergic reactions (redness, discomfort, itching) with any cream. Therefore, responsible manufacturers must conduct allergy tests before releasing their products to the market, clearly labeling “product has been allergy tested” or “non-allergenic” and advising consumers to discontinue use if they experience any discomfort.
In developed countries, licensing authorities (such as the Ministry of Health) require manufacturers to provide complete documentation about the ingredients and active substances used. Some places even impose strict regulations on both the concentration and clinical evidence, such as for AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid – a common fruit-derived exfoliating agent) not exceeding 2% to prevent adverse effects.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandates that manufacturers report the results of ingredient analyses, preventing the use of substandard materials to protect consumer rights to the highest extent.
From the consumer’s perspective, it is essential to choose carefully and test products on your skin before making a purchase, as well as check expiration dates and the licenses (certifications) from the Ministry of Health.
