Killer Cosmetics
The cosmetics industry is worth millions of dollars, and women are primarily considered the “big spenders”. Women, obsessed with beauty ideals, aim for tiny waists, full hips and glowing faces. No amount of time or expense is considered too great in order to achieve the look women idolize. The time consuming beauty rituals have become the foundation of many humorous anecdotes. What is the true cost of this obsession with beauty? Is it just our time and money or is it something else? Keep reading to find out!
CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
Ami Zota from the Department of the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health and Bhavna Shamasunder from the Urban and Environmental Policy Department at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California, had written an article titled The Environmental Injustice of Beauty. In that article the authors state that “beauty product use is an understudied source of environmental chemical exposures. Beauty products can include reproductive and developmental toxicants such as phthalates and heavy metals; however, disclosure requirements are limited and inconsistent.” When we consider this quotation from two highly esteemed individuals, we should be motivated to take a closer look at chemical exposure from beauty products. According to plenty of studies, endocrine disrupting chemicals have been found in cosmetics and personal care products. Products such as bath gels, deodorants, face creams, hand creams, lipsticks, lotions, makeup, ointments and products for babies have all been found to be laden with known toxicants. Some of these harmful chemicals include dimethylol dimethyl hydantoin, ethyl benzoate, ethylparaben, formaldehyde, formalin, formic acid, p–hydroxybenzoic acid, potassium sorbate, propylparaben and quaternium-15
CANCER
Beauty product use is associated with having a higher risk for developing cancer. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) can cause cancer. Both EDC’s and environmental estrogen exposure is related to higher breast cancer risk. These chemicals can be found in personal care products including hair products. In the Journal of Clinical Toxicology, a study was published where scientists tested different skin care products on living human cells. Populations of cells treated with diluted Nivea Visage Q10plus Anti-Wrinkle face moisturizer, which included synthetic chemicals with and without titanium dioxide, showed increased proportions of necrosis. Commercial formulations with and without synthetic chemicals had cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on human keratinocyte and fibroblast cells. In another study, photomutagenicity of popular skin conditioning agents called azulene and guaiazulene were examined. When these agents were exposed to light, the researchers observed cellular changes.
METAL ABSORPTION
Our skin is the largest organ of the human body. It functions as both a barrier and a route of chemical exposure. Dermal (skin) absorption can occur when our skin is broken or when chemicals are able to chemically pass through the skin barrier. Metals from cosmetics such as mercury, nickel, cobalt, lead and cadmium can pass through our skin barrier and accumulate in the human body. Metal content is a real concern in lip products. In Oakland, California, 32 lip products were assessed for potential health risks. The researchers found high concentrations of titanium and aluminum. Other metals found were manganese, lead, cadmium, and chromium. When we consider the fact that these harmful metals are found in some products that we apply directly onto our lips right at the openings of our mouths, we should be concerned about absorbing and ingesting metals which will harm our bodies.
COSMETIC PRODUCTS AND CHILDREN
Phthalates pose significant risks to human health. Phthalates can alter male reproductive development which is an important insight when considering their impact on growing children. Under environmental law, phthalates are recognized as toxic substances. Despite this fact, they can be found in perfumes, medications, deodorants, nail polish, shampoos, hair sprays, food wrap, and cosmetics. According to a study published in the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, “infant exposure to lotion, powder, and shampoo were significantly associated with increased urinary concentrations of monoethyl phthalate, monomethyl phthalate, and monoisobutyl phthalate, and associations increased with the number of products used.” (Sathyanarayana et al., 2008). Sadly, this study concluded that this association was strongest in young infants who may be more vulnerable to developmental and reproductive toxicity of phthalates. We should definitely closely examine the products we are using to take care of our children.
SINISTER SALONS
Salons provide a variety of beauty services. Beauty products can not only pose health risks to the people wearing them, but also to the workers applying them in salon settings. Salon workers routinely use products containing carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Back in 2008, a survey was conducted in California, U.S.A. The majority of 201 Vietnamese nail salon workers at 74 salons reported having acute health problems including skin and eye irritation, breathing difficulties and headaches. The air in beauty salons is tainted with toxic air pollutants such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. These carcinogens are not good for our health.
BEAUTY PRODUCTS AND SPIRITUALISM
The beauty industry relies heavily on marketing and branding. In the occult world, signs and symbols are used frequently to communicate messages. When we examine some of the symbols and associations used in brand logos, we will be able to understand what influence is behind the beauty industry.
Conclusion of the matter:
Like any business, Sephora is a company that is looking to make lots of money. Considering the fact that the business founders used an occult symbol that is associated with luck, fortune and prosperity, it is not a farfetched idea to think that these business owners are not looking for help from God, but help from another power…a pagan power…a sinister power. Should Christians associate themselves with such a business that is connected with occult influences? We just read about Jeffree Star Cosmetics and briefly looked at the message behind Jeffree’s logo. Mr. Star is a practicing homosexual and adorns himself like a woman…two things that the Bible condemns. For reference, please read 1Corinthians 6:9, Deuteronomy 22:5 and Romans 1:24-32. Jeffree’s logo proclaims his message of sexual immorality and worship of deity other than the God of the Bible. Should we be buying and using beauty products from a man who considers himself liberated from God while in business for Satan? Should we associate ourselves with a person who wars against the clear dictates of Scripture?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH?
The Bible has three major examples where the use of beauty products is mentioned. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says.
Example #1 Jezebel
2Kings 9:30 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.
Commentary: Here we read about the woman named Jezebel. She surely didn’t have a problem with using makeup and beautifying her hair in order to attract attention. What was this woman like?
1Kings 18:4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
1Kings 21:23-25 And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat. But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
2Kings 9:22 And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?
Commentary: Jezebel, a lover of beauty products and adornment, was a woman who instigated the murder of God’s prophets. She was a woman who motivated her husband to do evil, and she promoted and practiced witchcraft. The Bible clearly connects the makeup loving Jezebel with murder, death, evil and witchcraft. Do we want to be associated with such a woman and her abominable practices?
Example #2 The Judgments of Aholah & Aholibah
Ezekiel 23:40-44 And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments, And satest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oil. And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her: and with the men of the common sort were brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads. Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them? Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot: so went they in unto Aholah and unto Aholibah, the lewd women.
Commentary: In Ezekiel 23, Samaria is likened to Aholah, and Jerusalem to Aholibah. Aholah and Aholibah were immoral women who loved to “paint their eyes”. Like prostitutes, they enticed common men by beautifying themselves. The Bible connects makeup use with adultery and fornication. Two things that God condemns. Women who use makeup are more likely to attract “common men” rather than men of God’s appointment.
Example #3 Woe Jerusalem!
Jeremiah 4:30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
Commentary: In Jeremiah 4, God’s city Jerusalem is personified as a woman who vainly adorns herself to please her admirers. She tries to make herself look more pleasing in order to unite in foreign alliances. With their support, she thinks she will be safe and secure. The term “rentest thy face with painting” implies enhancing the eyes through cosmetic means. In Bible times, oriental women would use black mineral powder on the edges of the eyelids to make their eyes appear larger and brilliant. Jerusalem’s attempt to beautify herself would ultimately end in disaster. Instead of cherishing and loving her, those that gazed upon her would despise her and bring her to ruin. So it is a similar fate with superficial women who desire to attract good men through the lust of the eyes, but instead allure common men who use and abuse them. What a wonderful thing it would be when all women would seek to adorn themselves with lovely character traits attracting the Lord Jesus Christ and bidding Him come into their lives. Oh surely would Jesus be pleased when His church stops courting the world. Most assuredly would Jesus express His joy in seeing His church putting off the superficial spiritual makeup of worldly policies, creeds and maxims and putting on righteousness. May we all choose Jesus, the Redeemer of the world, the One who shed His blood in order to redeem us from all filthiness of the flesh!
TIME TO MAKE UP WITHOUT MAKEUP
Many are the pitfalls and traps that people fall into when they forsake the Lord and follow their own ways. One of these pitfalls and traps is the use of beauty cosmetics. Beauty products are snares of Satan designed to injure our health. The Bible says in 1Corinthians 3:16-17 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” When we choose to eat, drink or put on that which is harmful to our health, we are then guilty of defiling our bodies…the temple of God. God is calling every beauty queen to repentance saying “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” (Ezekiel 18:32). God does not want us to suffer under the burden of toxic substances found lurking in lipsticks, mascaras, powders and face creams. He wants the best for us. He doesn’t want us to die an early death. He wants to give us a long life… even eternal life! But when we choose to keep following our sinful wicked ways and putting on that which God forbids, we will lose heaven and a place in the earth made new. Where is our allegiance? Is it with Satan the destroyer of humanity and his wicked crew of beauty enthusiasts or is our allegiance with the LORD that healeth thee? How long will we waiver between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. It is time to make friends with Jesus…to make up without the makeup.
