The damaging effects of most ingredients in commercial cosmetics and body care products are wide-ranged! Some of these products are either too alkaline or too acidic, upsetting the pH balance of your skin, leaving you more vulnerable to bacteria and toxins. These toxic additives can penetrate your skin 20-30 layers deep! Superficially, you can experience skin problems like dermatitis, acne, eczema, clogged pores, oily or dry skin, and wrinkles. Internally, this toxic exposure can create major hormone imbalances, as well as inflammatory low pH conditions, leaving you more susceptible to many conditions from allergies to CANCER, as well as problems with the immune, reproductive, genetic, and neurological systems.
Here is a list of the most common harmful ingredients found in commercial cosmetics and body care products, and their counterproductive extent:
- Benzo-A-Pyrene and Benzo-B-Fluoranthene: compounds that can negatively affect eyes, kidneys, liver, and potentially lead to cancer. They are found in hair care products and cosmetics.
- DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine): chemicals that disrupt our hormone systems and can be cancer-forming. They have been linked to cancer in the liver and kidneys. They are commonly found in shampoos, soaps, and facial cleansers.
- Dioxane: carcinogen found as 1,4 Dioxane and in other compounds (PEG, Polysorbate &, Laureth, ethoxylated alcohols). Due to manufacturing processes 1,4 dioxane becomes a by-product of sodium lauryl sulfate, and can be found in most commercial shampoos, body washes, liquid soaps, liquid hand soaps, laundry detergents, tooth pastes, bath oils/bath salts, and hair relaxers.
- FD&C Color Pigments: generally made from coal tar which can contain toxic heavy metals. These toxic dyes can cause skin problems, neurotoxicity, and deplete oxygen in the blood which can promote cancer and other metabolic disorders. FD&C Red #4 is known to be damaging to the adrenal glands and urinary tract.
- Fragrance: synthetic toxic compounds known to affect the central nervous system and potentially carcinogenic. They are found in most shampoos, deodorants, sunscreens, and body and skincare products.
- Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin: derivatives from formaldehyde, which is used to preserve corpses. They can disrupt the immune system, trigger asthma, and are linked to allergies, chest pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness, ear infections, headaches, joint pain, insomnia, mood disorders, and cancer. They are used in many antiperspirants, nail polish, hair, skin and body care products.
- Isopropyl Alcohol: can wipe out the good bacteria in the intestinal tract damaging the immune system. Can cause headaches, vomiting, depression, nausea, and even comas. It is used in toners, hair color rinses, body rubs, aftershave and hand lotions, as well as in antifreezes.
- Mineral Oil: derivative from petroleum that prevents the skin from breathing, absorbing and excreting. It can cause premature aging and has carcinogen hydrocarbons. It’s found in skin care products and even baby oil.
- PEG (Polyethylene Glycol): is used to dissolve oil and grease, removing protective oils from the hair and skin and leaving you vulnerable to toxic absorption. It is found in spray-on oven cleaners, hair and skin products.
- Phthalates and Parabens: used as preservatives in cosmetics like hairsprays, perfumes, nail polish, deodorants, moisturizers, foundation, and hair-coloring products. They are found to be carcinogenic, predominantly linked to breast cancer, low sperm count, and other reproductive disorders.
- Petroleum and Petrolatum (a petroleum-derivative): petrochemical and cancer-causing chemicals that prevent normal breathing and excreting of the skin. They can be found in foundations, cleansers, and moisturizers.
- Propylene Glycol: the active ingredient in antifreeze. This toxic substance can cause respiratory and skin irritations, as well as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. It is supposed to be handled with protective wear, but disturbingly found in makeup, toothpastes and deodorants.
- Quaternium-15: breaks down into formaldehyde which is used to preserve dead bodies! It can lead to allergies, dermatitis, shortness of breath, asthma, nervous system disorders like ALS and cancer.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate: two of the most toxic compounds, they form nitrosamines when combined with other chemicals. These chemicals have been linked to neurotoxicity, organ damage, skin irritation, endocrine disruption, and cancer. They are found in toothpastes, makeup, shampoos and conditioners, as well as cleaners for engines, garage floors and car washes. They are linked to diarrhea, eye damage, and emotional disturbances among other things.
- Talc: is associated with ovarian and testicular cancer. It is found in foundation makeup, adult as well as BABY powders.
- Toluene: petroleum derivate linked to anemia, low blood cell count, and liver and kidney damage. It can be found on most synthetic fragrances.
- Triclosan: A highly toxic synthetic antibacterial compared to Agent Orange used in Vietnam, and registered as a pesticide. This cancer-causing chemical disturbs hormonal balance and sexual functioning. Triclosan has been linked to problems with fertility, the circulatory, central nervous and immune systems, as well as to the formation of brain hemorrhages. It can be found in antibacterial cleansers, toothpastes, and household cleaners.
- Phenol carbolic acid: can cause circulatory, respiratory and nervous system disruptions, convulsions, and even comas. It is found in many commercial lotions and skin creams.
- Paraffin: a petroleum derivative appearing in wax form. It has been linked to skin irritations and renal system cancers. It is found in lipstick, gloss, balm and liner, products with SPF, eye liner, moisturizers, mascara, and concealer.
- Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA): has been linked to cancer, skin irritation, deficiencies in the blood, brain and nervous systems. I can be found in sunscreens, shampoos, conditioners, body washes and cleansers, hair-loss treatments, moisturizers, hairspray, sunless tanning creams.
Currently, most cosmetics and personal care products contain ingredients that endanger your health and the health of your lineage, causing everything from skin issues to life-threatening conditions. Before the cosmetic industry makes health-conscious changes, it is vital that you READ PRODUCT LABELS and learn what compounds are dangerous, or better yet, buy organic and/or reputable products only. Be mindful when applying anything to your skin. Knowledge is power if you use it!!
Remember, the external condition of your skin is said to be a mirror image of your body’s internal environment. In addition to watching what goes on your skin, you must:
- Properly and regularly cleanse your system.
- Consume a pH balanced, anti-inflammatory diet.
- Regular, consistent exercise and movement.
- Manage life’s stressors.
- Incorporating other extremely healthy lifestyle habits into your regimen like yoga and meditation.
- While building a solid spiritual foundation by practicing mindfulness.
All these facets of wellness help keep your pH and other body systems in balance to help the body prevent premature aging and the onset of disease. Hopefully, one day there will only be products on the market that represent what their name should exemplify –personal CARE products. In other words, products and cosmetics that are truly hygienic and beautifying, without the unnecessary health hazards!!
Epstein, S. S. (2009). Toxic Beauty: How Cosmetics and Personal-Care Products Endanger Your Health… and What You Can Do About It. BenBella Books Inc.
De Groot, A. C., Nater, J. P., & Weyland, J. W. (1994). Unwanted effects of cosmetics and drugs used in dermatology (No. 282). Elsevier.
Lipman, F. (2011). Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Start Living Again. SimonandSchuster. com.
Environmental Working Group (2007). Impurities of Concern in Personal Care Products. Available at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/research/impurities.php. Accessed August 19, 2008.
National Toxicology Program (2005). Report on Carcinogens, 11th Edition; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program, January 2005. Available at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/eleventh/profiles/s080diox.pdf. Accessed August 19, 2008.
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHAA) (2004). State of California Environmental Protection Agency. Chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. Available at http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/files/41604list.html. Accessed August 19, 2008.
Winter, R. (2009). A consumer’s dictionary of cosmetic ingredients: complete information about the harmful and desirable ingredients found in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. Random House Digital, Inc..
Cone, M. (2009). New Study: Autism Linked to Environment. Scientific American, 9, 1-2.
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