Avoiding Toxic Ingredients in Beauty Products, part 1

There is no lack of toxic chemicals in our modern environment and unfortunately ‘beauty’ products top the list.  Most at risk are females, especially people of color.  A survey by the Environmental Working Group shows that most women use about 12 products, putting on about 126 harmful chemicals over the course of the day.  In this first article in a series, I list some general advice and name the ingredients that you should watch out for.

One of the most informative and scariest sources of information on chemicals in beauty products has to be this site, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics;   take a minute and watch the video on their front page.  One crucial piece of information from this source:

Words like organic, herbal, and natural have no legal definition, and their use on products does nothing to indicate the absence of harmful chemicals.

General Advice:

• Do not buy products with “parabens,” or “fragrance”  : In shampoo, shower gels, and other water based products, choose preservative blends that are milder: potassium sorbate, ethylhexylglycerin and alcohol.
• In lotions, soaps, and lip balms, look for plant based oils and natural essential oils that add fragrance safely.
• For sunblocks, ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxicide which sit on the surface of the skin, rather than penetrating it like chemicals are better choices.
• SLS, sodium lauryl sulfate is bad, it increases absorption of ingredients and should be avoided. (its in toothpaste, soap, …)
• PEG, Polyethylene Glycol is bad; it also increases absorption of toxins.  Usually its PEG-x where x is a number.
• Phenoxyethanol is so bad that its a restricted substance in Japanese cosmetics and classified as an irritant by the European Union.  The USDA itself put out a consumer alert about how it can “depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea” in infants… but its still allowed in U.S. cosmetics!!!!
• Triclosan is also bad and is classified by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a probable human carcinogen; its in many cleansers, deodorants and other personal-care products!!
• Quaternium-15 is known as a human toxicant; and found in “extra-gentle” bubble bath and “extra-sensitive” baby wash!! Used as a preservative, quaternium-15 is not cancer-causing in and of itself but breaks down to release formaldehyde, which the EPA classifies as a probable human carcinogen.   Can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive skin and if you’re allergic to formaldehyde, chances are you’re also allergic to quaternium-15.

Other ingredient to watch out for:

1. Avoid all Petrochemicals.  These appear on labels as Paraffin, Petroleum distillates, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum(Vaseline!), …  They are the byproducts of crude oil and may contain known or suspected carcinogens as well as harmful breakdown chemicals that are not listed on product labels.

Found in  shampoos, anti-aging creams, mascaras, perfumes, foundations, lipsticks, hair relaxers, and lip balms.

2. Avoid Parabens, which are in 75-90% of cosmetics, not to mention many foods.  They can be found on labels as Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, Parahydroxybenzoic acid and Parahydroxybenzoate.   Get rid of everything in your house with those ingredients.   Some, but not all mineral wear makeups are now made paraben-free.

Found in Baby, kids products.  Bath products, hair care, lotions, cremes, …

3. Avoid Mercury since its extremely poisonous and carcinogenic.  Can lead to everything from skin rashes, memory loss, muscular problems, to mental problems and death.

Mercury is found in some eye drops, ointments, mascaras, and skin-lightening creams.

4. Avoid Lead Acetate. Can cause nausea, pain, shock, coma, and more…

This compound of lead is a known human reproductive and developmental toxin and is banned from cosmetics in Europe.  Found in some hair dyes and cleansers sold in the U.S.

6. Avoid “Fragrance” & Phthalates. Generically refers to any combo of 3000+ possible chemicals not disclosed on labels, likely to contain phthalates (linked to birth defects, infertility, and damage the liver, kidneys, and lungs). Scented products have come under a lot of fire recently, and many fragrances have also been found to contain chemicals linked to breathing difficulties, headaches, allergy symptoms, nausea, vomiting, and worse.

Found in shampoos, lotions, deodorants, body sprays, perfumes, and colognes.  Phthalates especially likely in nail polish, fragrances, and hair sprays though you wont see it on the ingredients list!

7. Avoid Hydroquinone.  Used often to lighten the skin, is toxic to the brain and skin and a possible human carcinogen.  Hydroquinone can also cause a skin disease called ochronosis that leaves irreversible black-blue lesions on skin.   The chemical is allowed in personal care products in the United States although banned in  Europe.

Found in some skin lightening products and moisturizers.

8. Avoid “Nanoparticles”.  Extremely tiny particles which are largely untested and unlabeled in personal-care products, capable of being absorbed directly into the bloodstream.  Nanoparticles may alter cell structure, causing the cells to die.

Found in some eye shadows, bronzers, lotions, and other personal-care products.  Some suncscreens use micronized particles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which form physical barriers against UV rays and can be especially harmful in powdered suncreens.  Nanoparticles are also found in electronics, optical devices, medicine, and in food packaging materials.

9. Avoid Placenta. Used because it can condition skin and hair due to high content of proteins and bioavailable vitamins and minerals.  Placenta produces progesterone, estrogen, and other hormones that interfere with the body’s normal hormone functions leading things like breast cancer.  Environmental Working Group says that the amount of hormones supplied by placenta extracts “may be enough to spur breast growth in toddlers, according to a few recent case studies.”

Used in hair relaxers, moisturizers, toners, and hair conditioners.

In the next part of this series of articles on toxins in the home, I’ll list specific so-called ‘organic’ products which are toxic offenders, and also some safe brands.