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Toxic Cosmetic Ingredients... Avoid These Chemicals!
Avoid the controversial chemicals listed here in your personal care products. You will be well on your way to safe skin care. Who is protecting your health?In the United States, the personal care industry is largely unregulated. The US Food and Drug Administration has little control over what's in the skin care products you use. Americans must rely on the judgement of the industry's own Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (CIR) to determine which ingredients are safe. Yes, the skin care industry polices itself! I'm not so sure they have your best interests in mind. The choices you make for yourself and your family truly fall in the "buyer beware" category. What should you look for?
Below is a list of the worst chemical offenders. Be vigilant ... check labels. Nontoxic skin care will never include these potentially harmful cosmetic ingredients: Diazolidinyl UreaUsed as an antiseptic in cosmetics. It may release formaldehyde, known to be highly toxic.Found in: body powders, cleansers and soaps, lotions and moisturizers, make-up and make-up removers, shampoo, shaving products, sunscreen
Found in: baby and other shampoos, bath and body oils body powders, colognes and other fragrances, lotions and moisturizers, makeup, permanent waves, and rinses.
DEA and TEA are found in: bath powders, lotions, shaving creams, shampoos, and soaps.
Studies show they possess mild estrogen-like qualities. Preliminary research found parabens in human breast cancer tumors. This does not prove a causal relationship, however. Parabens are in an estimated 75-90% of personal care products. Many so called "natural" and some organic skin care products contain parabens. There is a gradual phase out of these preservatives occurring in the natural skin care industry. Preservatives are essential. Natural, nontoxic, alternatives, however, are both safe and effective. Found in: baby preparations, cleansers, deodorants, eye-products, lotions and moisturizers, make-up, personal lubricants, nail products, shampoos and other hair products, and sunscreens. Found in: baby creams, conditioners, creams and moisturizers, makeup, nail products, and wax depilatories.
Found in: antiperspirants and deodorants, baby lotions, hair strengtheners, moisturizers, mouthwashes, shaving products, sunscreens, and stick perfumes.
Found largely in: bronzers, eye makeup, and hair products.
Found in: bubble baths, emollient creams, cream depilatories, hand lotions, permanent waves, shampoos, soaps, and toothpastes.
Found in: shampoos, including baby shampoos.
Found in: hair conditioners and creams.
Note: since skin absorbs much of what is applied, the "external use" provides little protection. Unlike most ingredients used by the industry, synthetic colors are regulated by the FDA. Yet, most are derived from coal tar. Many people are allergic to coal tar. Of greater significance is the association of coal tar and cancer. Most all coal tars cause cancer when subcutaneously injected in lab mice. Note: many formerly approved colors are now banned in the US because of recognized carcinogenic properties. Used in a large variety of personal care products, most notably hair dyes. What color is that drugstore shampoo ... neon green? Nontoxic skin care products rely on botanical ingredients for subtle color.
I can personally vouch for hyper-pigmentation. I complained about the unsightly brown spots on my neck. My dermatologist advised me to stop applying perfume to my neck. I ditched the perfume and the spots disappeared! Hmmm... what was in my pretty perfume bottle? Synthetic fragrances are in the majority of traditional personal care products. Some otherwise "natural" products use synthetic fragrance. Look for essential oils as the fragrance source when choosing nontoxic skin care.
The above list of cosmetic ingredients to avoid is not exhaustive. Yet it is overwhelming. I feel tired just looking at it! That is not what I want on my skin. There are plenty of chemical-free, nontoxic options. My approach is to investigate various companies, choosing those that vow to use only safe, nontoxic skin care ingredients. I personally scrutinize their list of cosmetic ingredients and avoid anything suspicious. Next I test for effectiveness! Safety is not my only expectation. I want products that work. Two companies that I trust completely are Aubrey Organics and Dr.Hauschka. Safe and effective. Read more about these companies and their skin care philosophy:
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