Beauty concious women exposed to 515 chemicals every day

According to researchers, modern cosmetics contain a host of dangerous ingredients that could cause skin allergies to more serious problems like hormonal disturbances, cancer or reproductive damage over years of sustained use.

A survey by deodorant-maker Bionsen found that the daily regime of the beauty conscious women is virtually a toxic nightmare, where she ends up slapping 515 different chemicals on her body and face.

On an average, women use nearly 13 products containing around 20 ingredients that tragically fall short of ensuring health safety.

Charlotte Smith of deodorant firm Bionsen, which did the study, said, "Women have never been more image-conscious and their beauty regimes have changed dramatically over the years, from a simple 'wash & go' attitude, to daily fake tan applications, regular manicures, false lashes and hair extensions.

"Lots of the high-tech, new generation cosmetics and beauty 'wonder' treatments naturally contain more chemicals to be able to achieve even better results, which, of course, means that women now carry more chemicals than ever before."

Women unaware and unconcerned
More than a third of the women surveyed were blissfully unaware of the key ingredients in their toiletries.

The consumers receive little guidance from product manufacturers, whose advertising and labeling are too often misleading and lack objective sources of information.

However, nearly 70 per cent of the women polled seemed unconcerned about the number of toxins they were exposing themselves to on a daily basis. Only one in 10 opted for chemical-free toiletries when shopping.

Potentially dangerous cosmetics
According to the research among the products tested the ever popular perfume was the worst contender. On an average perfumes contain a mixture of 250 components while some have more than 400 chemicals.

The study found that lipstick consists of 33 elements, body lotion 32, mascara 29, and hand moisturizer, 11.

Chanel No5 perhaps the fastest moving perfume consisted of 250 additives and the foundation Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse, had 24 ingredients.

In addition, the nail polish Rimmel, contained 31 components while the Nivea Rich Nourishing Body Lotion had 32 chemicals.

The cosmetic industry’s defense
In their defense the cosmetic industry states that their toiletries are tested and the ingredients added are in safe doses which are not hazardous.

Parabens used for the preservation of cosmetics are linked to serious health problems, but manufactures defend their use on the grounds that they are not absorbed into the body.

The Cosmetic Toiletries and Perfumery Association stated, “Stringent laws require all cosmetics to be safe, and each product undergoes a rigorous safety assessment. The number of ingredients in a product, or whether it is natural or man-made, has no bearing on how safe it is.”