Don’t Use These 5 Products if You Want a Nice Butt
Here’s a sobering fact: the law does not require cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, to have US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before they go on the market. Suddenly, the safety of your skincare products isn't so black and white. It's time to take a close up look at what's really in the bathroom cabinets of beautiful women and men everywhere. Lurking beneath your wall decor or over your toilet tank is a melange of chemicals we wouldn't wish on our worst enemies.
In early June of 2019, shelves had to be cleared of merchandise and home decor marketed to children that was found to contain trace amounts of asbestos - a known carcinogen. And while asbestos is not intentionally added to products, it and other toxic ingredients still find their way into them during the manufacturing process. This is, in part, due to the lax regulation surrounding the industry.
This sounds scary but don’t worry! From what ingredients to stay away from and why, to what to look for on product labels, BAWDY has broken it all down for you and your gorgeous glutes.
1. Parabens
What are they used for? Parabens are preservatives that stop things like fungus and bacteria from growing in your products. Unfortunately, this can happen easily as many products get left open, are stored in humid environments, etc. OK, well that sounds beneficial.
Why are they harmful? First, they’re easily absorbed through the skin so they have a straight shot into our bodies, whether its through our booty or our boobs. Second, studies have shown that they disrupt our endocrine system - which means they mess with our hormone production. And finally, a small study showed that when parabens are messing with our hormones, they specifically like to pick on estrogen by mimicking it. This, according to researchers, suggests serious side effects like reproductive complications, an increased risk of cancer, and developmental issues in children - yikes.
What to look out for: Check your products for parabens that could be listed as the following: methylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, ethylparaben, polyparaben, and isobutylparaben.
2. Harsh Scrubs
What are they used for? A lot of non-toxic skin care products use natural but harsh exfoliants like nut shells or fruit pits. While these products generally have fewer chemicals, which is a good thing, they can actually do more harm than good when it comes to beautifying your butt.
Why are they harmful? These harsh ingredients often cause abrasions or small tears on the skin leading to redness, dryness, irritation, and even scratches.
What to look out for: A better way to slough off that dead skin and brighten your booty is with natural chemical exfoliators, like citric acid, which is found in BAWDY’s butt sheet masks. Give the Shake It mask a try which tones and firms as well, no dumbbells required!
3. Polyethylene Glycols*
What are they used for? Also known as PEGs or PEG compounds, polyethylene glycols are generally used to aid in moisturizing the skin by reducing penetration time. Used in this manner, the chemical compound ensures your moisturizer is absorbed in under two seconds so you can quickly move onto the next step of your skin care routine - awesome.
Why are they harmful? *However, PEGs are also used in some products as cleansers. As a result of the manufacturing process, these compounds contain an ingredient by the name of 1,4-dioxane which, according to the FDA, is a potential carcinogen. Additionally, it was first studied in the 1970s by the National Cancer Institute and while the study was conducted on animals, it definitively linked 1,4-dioxane to cancer - uh oh.
What to look out for: Check your labels for ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate, PEG compounds, or chemicals that include the clauses xynol, ceteareth, and oleth.
4. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
What are they used for? Not to be confused with beta hydroxy acids (also abbreviated BHA), butylated hydroxyanisole is often used in moisturizers, lipsticks, and eyeshadows as a preservative.
Why are they harmful? The US Department of Health and Human Services has said BHA is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Because of this, some products have switched to using hydroxytoluene but few studies have been done on this so it’s unclear whether it’s safe or not.
What to look out for: To be sure, choose a moisturizer that steers clear of these questionable chemicals. BAWDY’s moisturizing CBD Butt Balm is made with clean ingredients like CBD, Mediterranian algae, and hyaluronic acid for a side view you'll be obsessed with.
5. Synthetic Fragrance and Phthalates
What are they used for? “Fragrance,” when listed as an ingredient in cosmetics, is really problematic. It’s an umbrella term that isn’t required by the FDA to be any more specific than that and can include anything from synthetics and preservatives to substances that cause severe allergic reactions - ugh, but why? Back in 1966, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act was passed to protect luxury companies’ proprietary blends from being copied. Phthalates are often found in synthetic fragrance.
Why are they harmful? Phthalates, like parabens, mess with our hormones. These chemicals have been linked to reproductive defects, insulin resistance, and developmental issues in children.
What to look out for: In addition to being listed under fragrance, look for phthalate, DEP, DBP, and DEHP.
While we’ve listed the major things to be aware of here, visit safecosmetics for a full list of concerning chemicals found in cosmetics. You should be spending your hard-earned money on farmhouse bathroom decor housewarming gifts, lingerie, nice butt signs from Etsy, personal trainers, and healthy skincare, not chemical-filled cosmetics. We here at BAWDY are proud to offer only natural and clean products to keep you and your posterior protected and empowered.