Recently, a friend told me that after using a certain cosmetic product purchased on behalf of me, the results were very fast, so I have been using this brand, and after using it for a few months, my skin was in an okay state, except that a small area in front of my right ear started to get red and itchy. I told her that it might be related to hormones.
We all know that cosmetics are daily products that beautify and protect human skin. However, do the majority of friends who use cosmetics really know whether they have hormones or not?
There should not be hormones in cosmetics
Our qualified cosmetics do not contain hormones, which is stipulated by our regulations. In the new 2007 edition of the Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics, there are more than 1,000 prohibited substances in cosmetics, which clearly state that glucocorticoids, estrogens, androgens and progestins are prohibited ingredients.
You may wonder why there are always news about illegal hormone additions in cosmetics when the state does not allow them.
This has to do with the effects of hormones.
Hormones, especially glucocorticoids, do have a certain whitening effect on the skin, and the effect is very fast, as short as one or two days, as long as a week or so, the user’s skin will become fair, red and smooth.
And due to its anti-inflammatory effect, some inflammation on the skin, such as small rashes, etc., will also disappear very quickly.
So some manufacturers will attract consumers to use their products continuously by adding hormones.
Hormones cannot be used continuously
Hormones have such an obvious effect on the skin, but why does the state rule not allow them to be used?
Of course, it is because long-term use of hormones may be harmful to the skin.
Hormones are medicines, not skin care products.
If various diseases occur, doctors will let patients use drugs for a short period of time to solve the problem, which is OK and necessary.
However, it is a different matter if they are applied daily without control.
There are many types of hormones, and the ones that are added to cosmetics in violation of the law are mostly glucocorticoids and estrogens.
Glucocorticoids
In the short term, cosmetics containing hormones can indeed improve the skin condition, but long-term use of cosmetics containing glucocorticoids may lead to thinning of the skin, redness and other conditions on the face. If the amount of hormones is large and more is absorbed into the body through the skin, there is also a possibility of acne and edema on the face.
If the hormones in cosmetics have a lighter effect on skin metabolism, the skin will only return to the state it was in before using cosmetics after stopping use, and will not become worse. If the hormones in cosmetics have a heavier effect on skin metabolism, a rash, skin redness, and swelling may occur after discontinuing cosmetics, and the skin will be worse than before using cosmetics, and it is more difficult to heal.
There are also less frequent and severe adverse reactions that can cause irreversible health consequences, such as eye complications, osteonecrosis and osteoporosis.
Estrogen
Estrogen can also be absorbed through the skin, so long-term use of cosmetics containing estrogen can affect the body’s endocrine system, causing menstrual disorders, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, skin thinning and atrophy, and other adverse effects, and can lead to a much higher incidence of breast cancer and uterine fibroids.
How can I avoid cosmetics containing hormones?
If you want to accurately identify whether a cosmetic contains hormones, you need to use relevant laboratory equipment, which is less convenient and less feasible for most consumers.
Here are some life lessons to avoid buying cosmetics containing hormones as much as possible.
As far as possible, choose regular brands of cosmetics with high market recognition. Regular cosmetics are generally filed, so you should check online before buying whether the product is the product through the record. Go to the website of the State Food and Drug Administration and click on the “domestic non-special use cosmetics for the record” section to check.
Buy cosmetics from regular brick-and-mortar stores, not through proxy or direct sales as much as possible, and try not to buy from beauty salons or private health care institutions.
Do not buy cosmetics with incomplete factory names, addresses, implementation standards and production dates.
Do not buy cosmetics with exaggerated advertising terms such as “1 day to whiten” or “3 days to remove spots”.
If you use a certain cosmetic and find that your skin becomes significantly finer, whiter, redder, etc. within a few days, first suspend use because the rapid effect may be due to hormonal effects, learn more about the product, consult a dermatologist at a regular hospital, and then decide whether to continue using it.