《福布斯》提醒慎用5类化妆品

Chemicals, heavy metals, bacteria, and other hazardous ingredients are turning up in makeup, skin creams, and hair styling products. Here, the latest and most dangerous beauty alerts, and how to protect yourself without compromising your beauty routine.

Mercury in Skin Creams?

That was the headline-grabber last week, when an FDA investigation found imported skin creams may contain toxic levels of mercury and other heavy metals. The risk is serious; people are actually getting sick from mercury contamination from these products. The creams are intended primarily for “skin lightening” and anti-aging.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning include tremors, memory problems, irritability, and changes in vision or hearing. The creams have turned up in seven states so far, and several cases of serious mercury poisoning have been reported.

Lead in Lipstick?

Once considered an “urban legend,” the rumor that some lipsticks contain lead turned out to be deadly true when the FDA tested hundreds of lipsticks following an alert issued by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

The brands that tested positive for lead levels included well-respected national brands including L’Oreal, Revlon, Avon, and Cover Girl. And high-end brands like Dior and M.A.C. weren’t exempt either. Five of the ten most contaminated lipsticks were manufactured by L’Oreal USA.

Bacteria in Mascara?

Yes, this can happen too, but it’s the result of keeping mascara too long. The microbes don’t arrive in the mascara itself. According to a study in Optometry, bacteria that are naturally present in the eyes can be transferred into mascara via the wand. When the researchers tested mascaras, microbes were present in 33 percent of the products tested.

Formaldehyde in Hair Straighteners

Despite label claims of being “formaldehyde-free”, many keratin-based hair straighteners, when tested, were found to contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. The levels of formaldehyde found were fairly low, and shouldn’t pose a hazard if you’re only straightening your hair a few times a year, but more often than that isn’t a great idea. And stylists, who use the products on their customers regularly, are at risk.

Mineral Makeup

Often considered a natural alternative to makeup, mineral-based products often come in the form of powders. The problem results because the particles of minerals such as mica are so small, they float through the air and can be inhaled into the lungs. (Consider this: When construction workers use spackle and other products containing mica, they wear masks to avoid breathing them in.) There hasn’t been any warning issued for mineral makeup yet, but some experts, such as pulmonologists, are warning women that lung damage could result from frequent use.

(Read by Nelly Min. Nelly Min is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)

双语资讯

(Agencies)

《福布斯》杂志近日提醒，有些化妆品、护肤霜、美发产品中含有化学物质、重金属、细菌等危险成分。以下是最新发布的最危险美容产品提醒，以及如何在不妨碍日常美容护理的同时保护自己。

面霜含汞？

美国食品和药物管理局

汞中毒的症状包括颤抖、记忆丧失、易怒、视力听力下降。含汞面霜迄今已在美国七个州有售，而且已报告数起严重汞中毒病例。

口红含铅？

某些品牌的口红含铅一度被认为只是“坊间传说”，但在FDA检测了数百种口红后，这一传闻得到了证实。此前，“安全化妆品运动”组织曾对此发布警告。

不少在全美广受尊重的品牌口红都检出含铅，包括欧莱雅、露华浓、雅芳和封面女郎。迪奥、M.A.C.等高端品牌也未能幸免。含铅量最高的十款口红中，有五款是美国欧莱雅制造的。

睫毛膏带菌？

是的，睫毛膏可能带菌，但这是在保存期限过长的情况下。细菌并非睫毛膏自带的。根据验光科的一项研究，眼部细菌可通过睫毛膏的毛刷进入膏体。研究人员在33%的接受检测的睫毛膏中发现了微生物。

美发产品含甲醛

尽管标注“无甲醛”，但一些角蛋白直发产品经过检测之后都被发现含有甲醛成份，甲醛是一种致癌物质。美国市场直发产品的甲醛含量并不高，如果每年直发几次，不会产生太大危害，但并不提倡更频繁地直发。经常为客人直发的美发师受危害的风险较高。

含有矿物质的化妆品

一些基于矿物研制的化妆品通常以粉末形式存在，而且被认为是更天然的选择。问题在于云母等矿物质的微粒非常微小，可以漂浮到空气中并吸入肺部。

Vocabulary:

urban legend:

formaldehyde: 甲醛

carcinogen: 致癌物质

mica:

pulmonologist: 胸腔内科医生