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“Women absorb up to 5 pounds of damaging chemicals a year from their beauty products.”I saw this newspaper headline and was amazed, astonished, and perplexed. I just couldn’t believe it. Being a skeptical Brain, I figured the article was just a typical “scare” piece

“Women absorb up to 5 pounds of damaging chemicals a year from their beauty products.”

I saw this newspaper headline and was amazed, astonished, and perplexed. I just couldn’t believe it. Being a skeptical Brain, I figured the article was just a typical “scare” piece designed to spook us into fearing chemicals, but they actually provide a reference to their headline and quotes from a biochemist. So, this Beauty Brain was intrigued. Are we really absorbing pounds of chemicals through our skin? I had to see their proof. The actual quote from the article is as follows:

“The average woman absorbs 4lb 6oz of chemicals from toiletries and make-up every year, the industry magazine In-Cosmetics recently reported.”

Here’s where it gets interesting. First of all, In-Cosmetics is not a peer-reviewed scientific journal, it’s a magazine published in conjunction with an annual trade show where companies that sell cosmetic ingredients go to show off their newest products. Secondly, the quote appeared this article entitled “Trends in natural and organic cosmetics and toiletries.”

Second, it turns out that the notion that women absorb 5 pounds of chemicals from cosmetics comes from a scientist who runs a natural company called Spiezia Organics. According to Dr. Mariano Spiezia and his wife Loredana “everything we need to be fulfilled and healthy is provided by nature. Today’s research suggests that the human body will absorb most of what is applied to the skin, meaning that up to 2kg (5 pounds) of chemicals a year from toiletries and skincare preparations used daily.”

There is no other reference provided. There is no study cited. Dr. Spiezia makes this assertion without citing any data what so ever. The reporter completely believes the statement and has no problem quoting it as if it is fact.

It is not fact. It is ridiculous. It is the kind of junk science that some Natural or Organic companies try to dupe you with so you don’t feel bad about spending your hard earned money on their over-priced products.

Do you absorb 5 lbs of cosmetic chemicals through your skin?

Based on our knowledge of the barrier properties of skin, this claim seems ridiculous. It implies that the skin is a sponge that will absorb any chemical it’s exposed to. In fact, the skin is the opposite. It is a barrier that prevents chemicals from getting inside your system. It’s true that there are some compounds that do pass through the skin like some sunscreens (benzophenone-3) and drugs like Nicotine. Even caffeine can enter your blood stream through your skin. And scientists are concerned about these. Chemical safety studies are conducted on potentially harmful chemicals all the time.

But for the most part, cosmetic raw materials do not penetrate the skin so deep that they are absorbed into the blood stream. They typically absorb into only the top layer of skin (stratum corneum) and are naturally removed over time.

Beauty Brains bottom line

Cosmetic chemicals can absorb into your skin, but this is true of only a small minority. You certainly don’t absorb 5 lbs of chemicals through your skin; we’ll try to assess how much you really do absorb and report back after a bit more research. But the important thing to realize is that when you hear claims like this you should be sure to check the source. Sometimes there is science to back it up, but usually it is propaganda by a biased source. Proof is found in scientific studies not in the opinions of “experts”.

www.thebeautybrains.com

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