be hazardous to your health. In the US over 10,000 hazardous industrial chemicals are used as cosmetic ingredients, many of
which are carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, endocrine disruptors, plasticizers, degreasers,
surfactants and these go directly onto your skin and into the environment. It has been estimated
that only 20% of ingredients in cosmetics have been tested for their safety. It is suggested that
each product only provides a small amount of these toxic chemicals but after daily use, multiple products, multiple times per day this certainly adds
up and no studies have been done on the accumulative effect of all these chemicals.
When we put a fat soluble substance on the skin or scalp, it will absorb 10 times faster than
when it is eaten.
Eating protects you to some degree as the digestion provides detoxification pathways through
the liver and digestive system which will reduce the chemical load while trans-dermal
absorption bypasses these detoxification routes.
Often people consider what they eat but do not consider what they put on their skin.
As our body’s biggest organ, your skin is your most important immune defense barrier as well
as your largest organ for eliminating waste. Commercial products with harmful petroleum ingredients can plasticize and
“constipate” your skin, making germs more likely to get in and toxins less likely to get out of your body. The result: Neither you nor your skin are as radiant or as healthy as you could be.
Every day we use products that we think are safe; but the truth is that products are NOT safe –
and manufacturers don’t have to tell us so. Ever since 1938 – when the FDA granted
self-regulation to the cosmetics industry – such products can be marketed without government approval of ingredients, regardless of what tests show. Most of the 25,000 chemicals used have not been tested for long-term toxic effects. In a typical day, you might be exposed to over 200
different chemicals, many of which are suspected of causing cancer or juggling hormones.
EPA tests conclude that ingredients in shampoos, dyes, and other personal care products “may be playing havoc with hormones that control reproduction and development.”
Start checking all product labels.
Here are only some of the known hazardous chemicals that are commonly found in many
cosmetic products:
Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40): a very drying and irritating solvent and dehydrator that strips your
skin’s moisture and natural immune barrier, making you more venerable to bacteria, molds and viruses. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative and is found in many skin and hair products, fragrance, antibacterial hand washes as well as shellac and antifreeze. It can act as a “carrier” accelerating the penetration of other harmful chemicals into
your skin. It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin. A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic
Ingredients says it may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis, anesthesia, and coma. Fatal ingested dose is one ounce or less.
3.) Paraben
Methylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben are some of the most common parabens in cosmetics and
anything else with ‘paraben’ in the name. A chemical found in underarm deodorants,
moisturises and other cosmetics that has been shown to mimic the action of the female
hormone estrogen and may drive the growth
of breast tumors. A study publish in the Journal of Applied Toxicology has found that breast tumors commonly contain parabens and more research is needed. There is also some evidence that parabens may potentiate the damaging effects of UV radiation.
DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine) & TEA (triethanolamine): hormone-disrupting chemicals that
can form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamines. These chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. In the United States however, they are still used
despite the fact that Americans may be exposed to them 10-20 times per day with products
such as shampoos, shaving creams and bubble baths. Repeated skin applications…. of DEA-based detergents resulted in major increase in incidence of liver and kidney cancer.
The FDA’s John Bailey says this is especially important since “the risk equation changes significantly for children”.
Triclosan
Triclosan is used mainly in commercial antibacterial liquid soaps, cleansers, deodorants, detergents, toothpastes, mouthwashes, antiperspirants, cleansers and hand sanitizers as a preservative and an anti-bacterial agent.
The EPA investigated Triclosan and classified it as a pesticide and it is not considered a
cosmetic ingredient and it has given high scores as a risk to both human health and the environment.. Triclosan can pass through skin and
is suspected of interfering with hormone function in humans.
DMDM Hydantion & Urea (Imidazolidinyl): just two of many preservatives that often release formaldehyde which
may cause joint pain, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic
fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep. Exposure may also irritate the respiratory system, trigger
heart palpitations or asthma, and aggravate coughs and colds. Other possible side effects include weakening the immune system
and cancer.
Toluene
Made from petroleum or coal tar, and found in most synthetic fragrances, nail polish and hair
dye, this is used to improve adhesion and add gloss. Chronic exposure linked to anemia,
lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney
damage, and may affect a developing fetus.
FD&C Color Pigments: synthetic colors made from coal tar, containing heavy metal salts that deposit toxins into
the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and death. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.
Fragrances: mostly synthetic ingredients can indicate the presence of up to four thousand
separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic. Symptoms reported to the FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Clinical observation proves fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
These are called DMDM Hydantoin, Diaxolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl, methenamine or
Quarternium-15. These are commonly found in hair products and skin moisturisers.
Formaldehyde is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the EPA, which provides sufficient evidence that formaldehyde causes nasopharyngeal cancer in humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. These act as a carcinogen, causes allergic reactions and contact dermatitis; headaches; irritates mucous membranes; eye damage; linked to joint and
chest pain; depression; headaches; fatigue; dizziness and immune dysfunction.
Mineral Oil: petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the 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. Used in many products such as
baby oil which is 100% mineral oil!
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): potentially carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that can alter and
reduce the skin’s natural moisture factor. This could increase the appearance of aging and
leave you more vulnerable to bacteria.
Used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease. It adjusts the melting point and thickens products.
Also used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners.
Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol: gaseous hydrocarbons which in a liquid state act as “surfactant” (wetting olagents and solvents). They easily penetrate the skin and can weaken
protein and cellular structure. Commonly used to make extracts from herbs. PG is strong
enough to remove barnacles from boats! The EPA considers PG so toxic that it requires
workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles and to dispose of
any PG solutions by burying them in the ground. Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. But there isn’t even a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than in most industrial applications.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): detergents and surfactants that pose serious
health threats. Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers – and in 90% of personal-care products that foam. Animals exposed to SLS experience eye damage,
depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation, and even death. Young eyes
may not develop properly if exposed to SLS because proteins are dissolved. SLS may also damage the skins immune system by causing layers to separate and inflame.
When combined with other chemicals, SLS can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent
class of carcinogens.
Your body may retain the SLS for up to five days, during which tie it may enter and maintain residual levels in the heart, liver, the lungs, and the brain.
There are so many wonderful natural skin care products that can be used in place of these
chemical concoctions, if it is good for you to consume and is high in natural anti-oxidants and
micro-nutrients then it certainly will be could for you to put on your skin such as moringa oil,
avocado oil ,jojoba oil just to name a few . If you are familiar with the ingredients or can
pronounce the name easily then this is certainly a good start to a good product.
