Oh well, I guess most of us aren't aware of the stuff we apply on our skin/body/hair. I was reading about the ingredients at
Skin Deep Cosmetic Database and it sent a shocker right thru me as some common ingredients found in the stuff we use daily are cancer causing substance, or chemicals that might harm us.
Surely I'm not aware that FD&C colour pigments (that are used to give cosmetics their colour) are carcinogenic, or paraben preservatives are mostly toxic that may cause allergic reaction? I find it especially scary that if you're a mother, these chemicals not only affect you, but also the baby in your womb.

Here's a little breakdown of some of those scary chemicals:
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Lead - lipsticks
Lead is a proven neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression. (The same report states that the FDA found the highest lead levels in lipsticks made Procter & Gamble (Cover Girl brand), L'Oreal (L'Oreal, Body Shop and Maybelline brands) and Revlon... O_o;;)
FD&C Colour Pigments - Cosmetics
Synthetic colours made from coal tar. Contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.
Mineral Oil (Liquidum paraffinum /posh mineral oil, Paraffin oil, Paraffin wax, Petrolatum)
Clog pores, interferes with skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders, Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. Can be contaminated with cancer causing PAH's (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons).
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate - Washer, cleansers, shampoos, toothpastes ect
Key ingredient that produces foam. Strips off the oil layer and then irritating and eroding the skin, leaving it rough and pitted, causes dysfunction of the biological systems of the skin. It has a low molecular weight and so is easily absorbed by the body, it builds up in the heart, liver and brain and can cause major problems in these areas
Synthetic perfumes
99 per cent of the 5,000 chemicals in perfumes arc made from petrochemicals. They include benzene derivatives and air-polluting aldehydes. Petrochemicals penetrate the skin and accumulate in the fatty tissue where they may cause toxic reactions such as headaches, dizziness, rashes and skin irritations.
I found this site really helpful as it lists down the ingredients of a certain product and notes down ingredients that are deemed to be harmful. The database is rather big, so it covers most of the products in the market. Here you go:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/If you want to read more about the harmful chemicals in our skincare and cosmetics, more links here:
http://www.inspiredliving.com/organic/skin...rechemicals.htmhttp://www.hallgold.com/toxic-chemical-ing...s-directory.htmhttp://www.health-report.co.uk/ingredients-directory.htmhttp://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?list=type&type=33