Never judge a makeup product by its packaging. That rule also applies to purchasing fake and inexpensive beauty products. Most of these products are made from toxic and poor quality ingredients that can damage your skin. Ingredients to stay away from are phthalates, parabens, peg compounds, butylated compounds, artificial fragrance, talcum powder and coal tar.
In fact, not so long ago, aluminium was listed as a toxic cosmetic ingredient too. It was believed that the ingredient was linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Most mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks and eyeshadows and deodorants contain aluminium, even today. The aluminium powder is used as a colourant. While many people still use products that contain aluminium, the question is, how safe is it?
A New Study Sheds Light On This
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Apart from cosmetics, aluminium is also present in toothpaste and antiperspirants. According to the preliminary opinion stated by the Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety, if the aluminium concentration present in these products complies with the limits set by the European regulations, aluminium is considered safe for human use.
So how much aluminium is safe? It’s about 6.25% in non-spray antiperspirants and 10.60% in spray antiperspirants, 2.65% in toothpaste and about 0.77% in lipsticks.
Since aluminium is considered to be a systematic toxicant when used in high doses, independent experts in chemistry and toxicology at CSSC once feared that aluminium would be absorbed by the skin and body during the application process. This study took place in 2014, the recent data on these states otherwise. According to the committee, neither does the body or skin absorb aluminium. Hence, there is no need to panic. As long as the aluminium concentration doesn’t go above the limits set by the European regulations, these products should be safe to use.
If at all you still have your doubts about cosmetics that contain aluminium as an ingredient, you always have an option to switch to a vegan or an organic product. The colour may not pop like you want it to and the deodorant might not be as effective without aluminium. But if it’s agreeing with your skin, the switch will seem worth it. Plus, you’ll worry less!
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