Body absorbs 5lb of make-up chemicals a year

I don't believe the article is saying a person gains 5 lbs of weight from all the chemicals. It means that we basically ingest that much into our system each year. In other words, if you drank 5 lbs worth of milk over a year, you wouldn't gain 5 lbs. But you would be taking in that much milk into your body. But we are talking chemicals. So supposedly we are "drinking" 5 lbs worth of chemicals in the form of cosmetics each year, because we absorb it through the skin.
 
beksbks said:
I don't believe the article is saying a person gains 5 lbs of weight from all the chemicals. It means that we basically ingest that much into our system each year.
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Agreed. We absorb all types of things through our skin just by sitting in a chair and almost all people these days have traces of teflon in their blood stream. I'm not too worried about the make-up, especially since I switched to bare minerals a while back. I'll make sure to throw out all my old stuff though, I don't want to get sick for no good reason. Your lymphatic system should clean out most toxins you might absorb.
 
Nasseny said:
how would we streagthin' are lymphatic system
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I don't think you can "strengthen it." It acts as your bodies garbage disposal so drink plenty of water so it can be flushed, girls should make sure their bras aren't too tight because that inhibits flow from your breasts to your lymph nodes under your arms, which is being shown as a link in breast cancer, and a healthy diet is always good since a lot of foods are chemical concoctions now.
 
I just use baking soda and cool water to wash my face. Also there is this awesome Pine Tar soap that works as a shampoo and is all natural and all vegetable. No chemicals at all. Perfect for stinkyness as well!

I wonder if vegan make up is better than the stuff with all the weird chemicals?

Also, a good detox might help. I try for a good 3 day fast twice a year. Mostly fruit and water during. some milk.. can't stop drinking that chocolate soymilk. too goooood.
 
Jerome said:
5 lbs......
you have to use at least 5 lbs of make up in a year... who does that? That's a lot
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I don't use foundation, but I know it's rather heavy. In addition there are priming lotions, concealer, powders, blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, chapstick, lip gloss, bronzer, etc.

The stuff on your lips can also be heavy and that you tend to lick off when you talk.

Many women wear makeup every day. I'm sure it all adds up fast.
 
darkangel said:
It's not like your skin is a sponge that absorbs everything it comes in contact with.
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Anyone who has a keen knowledge of chemistry will disagree with you wholeheartedly.

A few examples:
DEET- high concentrations enter the skin and screws with your neurological system
Ultraviolet Rays- sure it's not a liquid, but yup... your skin absorbs this as well
Anthrax- yah.. we don't really need to get into full detail about that one
Household chemicals are infamous for such- ie: Ammonia, Drain Cleaners, Bleach... etc

-Sheryl
 
omg i know that you absorb some, but I'm being realistic. If my face absorbed all the makeup I put on it, I wouldn't have anything to wipe off my face at night. That would be why I said everything. I just don't agree with the article -- I think it's an urban myth.
 
Well it may not absorb everything... however when broken down into actual molecular compounds, a lot of makeup, lotions, creams, etc contain the same compounds in household chemicals and whatnot.

Point being made--- yes, your skin does act like a sponge wrt to chemicals.
 
A friend of mine wears foundation every single day... even when she's tanning!! Actually she admitted today that she's so embaressed of her 'pasty' skin as she calls it, that in the first month or so of her realtionship with her new guy she actually wore makeup to bed... foundation, mascara and all!! I was like... wtf?? Thats really really bad for your skin. She never has an off day to just let it breath... And then she cant understand why her face is so spotty or whatever.

I personally only wear mascara, eye shadow and eyeliner... maybe a bit of lipstick if im going somewhere that needs it... but 5lbs... thats intense!
 
It's not just makeup DA. And your skin does absorb pretty much like a sponge. 80 oz is not that much in the course of a YEAR. Besides makeup, it's soap, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, chapstick, lotion, hair color, perfume,etc. etc.
 
lol I guess I'll stop using lotion, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, and sunscreen then. I'm sure I'll stay looking years younger.
 
This is wild.

I guess it could happen but then again I might get struck down by lightening so I should always wear my rubber soled shoes! I love wearing lipstick & usually use some foundation (with sunscreen in it) but otherwise I don't usually do anything else unless I'm feeling like getting all dolled up (yeah that doesn't happen much anymore).

Guess the best approach would be to look at what is in the products.

& drink a TON of water since it helps to flush toxins from the skin! :)
 
Glad that I'm a "fresh faced girl" ... no makeup whatsoever :)

And yeah - the skin DOES really soak stuff up ! Wanna try an experiment ? Take a clove of garlic and rub the inside part (where it's moist) on the bottom of your foot ... within 30min you'll taste the garlic in your mouth !!!!

Yeah - with shampoos, conditioners, lotions, etc. - they ALL absorb - basically anything like that would. Best thing is to try to read labels and stay away from stuff that has dyes in them. Which can be hard to do.
 
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ive never moisterised in my life. waste of time and money IMO. and make up is too! and as for fragrances well im allergic so none of that stuff goes near me :) it does worry me how much stuff girls use to "better" themselves, i always think natural looks better. whats nice in putting chemicals on your face. plus in the UK people dont know how to put it on, they all look like oranges
 
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