Can India’s ban on import of animal-tested cosmetics be harmful for your skin?
Recently, the government banned the import of cosmetics which have been tested on animals. India already has an existing ban on animal-testing of cosmetics. This puts India in the league of European Union and the Humane Society International (HSI India) is joyous with this decision as it was campaigning for the same for years.
However, is this ban a good move for your skin? Can products not tested on animals have an adverse effect on your skin? We ask Dr Mohan Thomas, leading cosmetic surgeon, MD, The Cosmetic Surgery Institute, Mumbai, to shed light on how this ban can affect one’s skin and tips to keep in mind while buying cosmetics.
Is this move safe for the skin?
Most consumers believe that companies that sell the cosmetic products always test these for safety before they’re sold. But this is not true. While some companies make products that are very safe and assess the safety of their products rigorously and independently through human volunteers, there are other companies which would rather push their products without testing to save costs. They also use toxins like coal tar and lead acetate without informing people about their ill-effects and in this competitive market they gain market share due to the lower costs.
Risky chemicals used in cosmetics are sometimes the base ingredients of the product which easily penetrate the skin, and some are ingested directly after they are applied to lips or hands. These get absorbed and are excreted in the urine.
Can using products which are not tested on animals have an effect on our skin?
Nearly 90% of ingredients found in beauty products are not tested on animals and are usually very toxic. Lead found in most lipsticks is very dangerous as it is neurotoxic. Another class of potentially harmful chemicals are phthalates . These industrial solvents are found in hair spray, nail polish, perfumes and deodorants. These ingredients which are recognised as hormone disruptors, associated with damage to the liver, kidneys and reproductive systems have been banned in many European countries.
The direct effect on the skin may be in the form of allergies, sensitisation, burns, pigmentation and rashes. The biggest concern is when they get absorbed through the skin and cause systemic problems on major systems of the body.
Is it safe to use these products?
Chemicals which have not been animal and human tested should not be used on human skin. Companies should mention about the extent of safety testing that they have conducted on these products. Each and every ingredient should be read and researched before buying these products over the counter. The best way to not fall into the company trap is to ask about it from your skin doctor who knows your skin better.
While buying such products, what should one keep in mind?
It is preferable that you do not buy these products over the counter and specially not on recommendation of a friend as everybody’s skin is different. Read the ingredients carefully and search on the net if you find a chemical you aren’t familiar with.
We also asked Anusuya Suresh a herbal if branded herbal products are safer than these chemical cosmetics.
Are branded herbal products better?
This is a difficult question to answer. There is no guarantee that a branded herbal product is better than a non-branded one. The reverse is equally true – it is not definite that a non-branded product is of lesser quality than a branded one. Logically speaking, a manufacturer who invests in building a brand is probably more concerned about maintaining his market image (and consequently, his profits) and therefore, more likely to invest time, effort and money in ensuring his products have quality and purity. However, it is equally true that even someone who does not have a brand will still deliver effective products if he has an individual commitment to quality.
If there is one myth this discussion has cleared up, it is this – ‘herbal’ should not be read as a synonym for ‘safe’. While the medicinal components may have the advantage of negligible or no toxicity, several other factors, if not controlled with care, can convert a herbal product into an unsafe remedy. Only when the manufacturer of a herbal product is deeply committed to providing quality medicines will we have the confidence to consume such products without any qualms.
Organic make-up are cosmetics which do not contain chemicals and are safer to use on skin. But these too need to be used with caution. Make-up artist Hifza Kazi recommends the following:
What you should look out for:
- Ideally one should look for the USDA Certification. It is an American Institution that regulates the labeling & standards for organic products.
- Most brands will list all the ingredients honestly which helps to avoid them in case of a certain allergy. For instance, if one is allergic to pollen, they should avoid products derived from flowers as this would trigger some unwanted reactions etc.
- Check the label and be wary of anything containing phthalates, perfluorinated chemicals: teflon, gore-tex, parabens or sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS).
- Always look out for the green leaping bunny logo. This signifies no animal testing. In addition, most brands clearly mention it on the product as well, so that it is easier to spot.
- With such a complete organic make-up guide, all your confusion and misconceptions would be cleared out. Apart from looking stunning with the use of such make-up, you would also be wearing make-up which is environmentally responsible.
Source: The Health Site
Published: 22 Oct 2014
