It might not be a reason to throw out your toiletries case, but you might rethink its contents following a recent study. Researchers from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital are showing that there is a tie between run of the mill anti-aging cosmetics (found in everyday department stores) and diabetes.
One of the chemical compounds of make-up and make-up packaging (phthalates) is added during the process to make the cosmetics you see every day more flexible. But a toiletries bag isn’t the only place that these chemicals are found. They are also used in the making of pharmaceutical pills, gelling agents, and even in high fat food products like milk and butter.
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The Research That Means More Than Just Wrinkles and Anti-Aging
The research, which was published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal, has made the association between high levels of the chemical (phthalates) in the bodies of women and an increased risk of diabetes in women. And it isn’t a small margin, either.
Women with higher levels of phthalates had close to twice the risk of developing diabetes than those with low levels of the chemical. Researchers say phthalates had previously raised health concerns after links to disruption of hormones were noted by. Author of the study, Dr. James Todd commented on the findings by saying “We know that in addition to being present in personal care products, phthalates also exist in certain types of medical devices and medication that is used to treat diabetes and this could also explain the higher level of phthalates in diabetic women. So overall, more research is needed.”
Those Products That Attack Wrinkles – Could Be Harming You
This isn’t the first time that trying to fight the anti-aging battle has been linked to some un-pretty things. There has been a tie between parabens found in many common beauty products (including facial cleanser, and shampoo) and breast cancer. In fact with parabens found in over the counter deodorants, scientists have said that the chemicals can get into your body via the skin of your armpit, or skin in other sensitive areas, too.
Consumers could have their hands tied on the issue too, because cosmetic companies are not required to disclose whether there are phthalates in their products, but as a general rule, if a product is labeled as having “fragrance” does have the chemicals. And labels that say “phthalate-free” might not have phthalate in the actual product, but the packaging could be full of the dangerous chemicals.
