Check Your Personal Care Products And Cosmetics For Toxins Now!
If your Personal Care Products and cosmetics contain these chemicals, you may like to reconsider applying these toxins to your skin, hair and body – and to your families. We list some of the dangerous chemicals found in your everyday skin care, cosmetics and personal care products, often causing skin rashes and worse.
If your Personal Care Products and cosmetics contain any of the following chemicals and toxins, you may like to reconsider whether you want to continue applying these personal care products to your skin, hair and body – and to your families.
Many people, even those who select organic foods to eat, choose skin care products and cosmetics that can serious damage their skin, hair and body. I am not suggesting you intentionally apply toxins to your skin. You simply may not realize the extent to which many common personal care products and cosmetics contain suspect ingredients with unrecognizable or unpronounceable names. Do you ever put things onto your skin that you would not think of eating? I hope not… what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream and integrated into your body and skin tissues. A number of these potential toxins can wreak havoc on all your good health intentions.
Believe it or not, the following toxins and chemicals are NOT ALL the dangerous chemicals found in your everyday skin care, cosmetics and personal care products.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
This harsh detergent and emulsifier, petroleum derived, strips your skin and hair of natural oils, increasing skin permeability and allowing absorption of other toxic chemicals into the dermis and bloodstream. This is a known skin irritant, often causing skin rashes, skin and eye irritation and conditions like cataracts, blindness, organ damage, damage to your immune system, respiratory damage, headaches and vomiting. SLS is found in nearly any personal care product that lathers, including toothpastes, shampoos, body washes and skin moisturisers.
Formaldehyde
This highly toxic preservative causes skin rashes and has been linked to cancer, skin irritation and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, dermatitis, asthma, shortness of breath, nose bleeds, nausea and vomiting, chest pains and dizziness. Formaldehyde is used in cosmetics, nail polish, nail hardeners, mascara, soaps, shampoos, many moisturising skin care creams, personal care products, bubble bath and deodorants. The following chemicals are derived from Formaldehyde and should also be avoided.
• Imidazolidinyl urea (can cause contact dermatitis)
• Diazolidinyl urea (can cause contact dermatitis)
• 2-bromo-2nitropane-1
• 3-diol
• DMDM hydantoin
• Quaternium 15
Isopropyl alcohol
This anti-foaming agent, petroleum derived, can damage hair and cause skin rashes. Toxic to the liver, kidney, respiratory and gastro-intestinal systems. A teratogenic also linked to foetal and birth defects. This dangerous chemical is found in hair dye, skin care moisturisers, aftershaves, antifreeze, carpet cleaner and the list goes on.
Paraffin
From petroleum or tar, Paraffin is a non-renewable resource that has a negative impact on our environment. Your skin initially feels smoother due to the surface layer Paraffin forms but your skin can not ‘breathe’ and is de-hydrated by any petroleum based personal care product. This starts a cycle of continued use to prevent the feeling of dryness, which the product is actually responsible for. Used in wax strips, skin care moisturisers, personal care products, body oils etc.
Petrolatum (Petroleum jelly)
An incredibly cheap mineral oil derivative that will dry your skin out, strangely enough this is used in skin care products and lip balms specifically targeted at dry skin, mainly due to the coating left on the skin after use. Used in personal care products and found in skin care products recommended for nappy rash. Talk about self perpetuating personal care products!
Propylene glycol
This humectant is another petrochemical mix that can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, hives and eczema.Also found in brake fluid and anti-freeze. Please avoid the chemicals below in your personal care products, they are very similar.
• PEG (polyethylene glycol) (A by-product of PEG-stearate-20 that was used during WW1 as a toxic gas!)
• PPG (polypropylene glycol)
Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Parabens
A preservative used to extend shelf life of personal care products, Parabens can cause skin irritation, skin rashes and allergic reactions. These preservatives can interfere with the endocrine system, they contain properties known for oestrogen mimicking. Studies have connected paraben exposure and breast cancer.
Fragrances
A general term referring to as many as 200 synthetic fragrances used in personal care products and cosmetics,none of which are required to be individually labelled. Often petroleum based, fragrances can cause dizziness, skin rashes and pigmentation which is why some people have brown skin marks where they apply perfume. “Fragrance–free” products can contain chemicals to mask unpleasant smells.
DEA (diethanolamine) and MEA (monoethanolamine)
These chemicals are ‘amines’ (ammonia compounds) and can form cancer-causing nitrosamines when in contact with nitrates. Used as emulsifiers and foaming agents, they cause eye, hair and skin irritation and skin rashes and are toxic if absorbed for a long period of time. DEA is known to cause liver and kidney tumours in mice. DEA is still used in many products in Australia, despite international warnings. These chemical compounds cause allergic reactions, irritate eyes and dry the hair and skin. Any product with MEA or DEA listed individually or in combination with another ingredient (e.g. cocamide DEA) should be avoided in personal care products and cosmetics.
Methylisothiazolinnone
A preservative linked to allergic reactions and skin rashes.
Artificial Colours
FDC RED 4, FDC RED 1 or FOOD RED 1, should all be avoided. Banned in food but can still be used in personal care products, skin care and cosmetics. Known to cause urinary bladder polyps and deterioration of the adrenal glands.
Coal Tar
(FD & C) and (D & C) colours to be avoided. Derived from petroleum coal tars and linked to asthma, headaches, nausea, fatigue, nervousness and lack of concentration. Coal Tars are confirmed human carcinogens and skin irritants. They are thought to increase risk of tumour growth. Used in anti-dandruff shampoos and for colouring cosmetics.
TEA (Triethanolamine)
Emulsifier, skin irritant and known mutagen, which causes changes in cellular DNA. TEA is also a contact allergen causing eczema and skin rashes. Used in skin care products and to coat non-organically grown fruit and vegetables.
Tallow
Watch out vegetarians!! Made from boiled sheep organs, this is used in lipsticks, soaps and shaving cream…
Fluoride
Used in toothpaste.This industrial waste product can reduce the risk of dental cavities, it has however been linked with cancer, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, birth defects, increased risk of fractures, dental and skeletal fluorosis and impaired brain function. Used by Hitler in concentration camps to pacify detainees.
Phthalates
Used in thousands of plastic products to make them more flexible. Examples include toys, cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, detergents, vinyl, food packaging and containers.
• DBP (dibutylphthalate)
• DEP (diethylphthalate)
• DMP (dimehtyphthalate)
Often not found on the ingredients list as there are no statutory requirements. Studies have found that phthalates used by pregnant mothers can increase the risk of low birth weight and undescended testes in baby boys. May lead to feminising traits in males and possibly increase the risk of prostate cancer. Phthalates have also been found in breast milk.
Why do so many personal care products contain potentially harmful ingredients? The simple answer is: because they are cheap, readily available, and easy to dilute.
Are there non toxic, Natural Skin Care Products and Personal Care Products out there that deliver results? Yes, loads! There are many great quality organic and natural personal care products, skin care and cosmetics out there that are hand made with love, but do not trust a label just because it reads ‘All Natural’, read on… Unfortunately the market is being flooded with companies trying to sell you personal care products that are not at all ‘All Natural’.
What can you do to keep your skin healthy without using potentially harmful substances? Eat plenty of fresh, raw food and getting enough omega-3 fats are ways to improve your skin… Through exercise, your skin detoxifies impurities from your system; known as perspiration… Do not smoke. Beyond that, here is a critically important step to skin care you need to be aware of… Just 5 minutes per day gets you on the road to a younger looking, vibrant face : use natural skin care products and a daily skin care routine. Every day of your life, pollution, grime and dust attach to your skin. If you do not take a couple minutes each day to cleanse your face and unclog your pores, your skin may look sluggish instead of its bright and shiny best. Take time to thoroughly cleanse your skin with natural skin care products and you will find your face looking and feeling younger. If you are in the sun for extended periods of time, use a natural Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen with safe and effective ingredients.
Don’t expect overnight changes. Don’t be discouraged with seeming lack of progress. It may take a week, a month or even two to notice changes and bring your skin back to a natural, healthy balance. Plus, it is quite possible that others will notice your increasingly youthful-looking face before you do!
References:
Detox your home, body and mind (by Wendy Duyker)
The Guardian supplements
Clean Food Organic
Dangerous Beauty (by Dr Peter Dingle and Toni Brown)
The Chemical Maze (by Bill Statham)
Cosmetics Unmasked (Dr Stephen and Gina Antczak)
Contact Natural Skin and Beauty for Natural Skin Care, Natural Hair Care Products and chemical free Mineral Makeup that is truly hand made with love. Our psyche, what we eat, what we do and our skin are inter-related. Love the skin you’re in!
Skin Care: Are We Killing Ourselves With Our Personal Care Products?
If you’ve been paying attention, you may have noticed a growing concern about the toxic chemicals present in the personal care products we use every day; toxins that enter our skin and go straight into our blood in 8 to 10 minutes. For once, the media are reporting the truth!
This ABC interview with Stacy Malkan gives just a glimpse of what is going on in the skin care industry today. Americans – men, women and children – use on average 6-12 personal care products daily, exposing their bodies to 8 to168 chemicals.[1] The cumulative effect of these chemicals can cause numerous health problems from allergies to cancer to reproductive problems.
One study showed newborn babies’ umbilical cord blood carried 287 chemicals. Of those chemicals, 180 could cause cancer, 217 could be toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 could cause birth defects or abnormal development.[2]
Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies. Whatever we put on our skin absorbs directly into our blood. Truly, we are what we absorb. If the skin’s main job is to protect us from infections and toxins, applying toxins to our skin every day defeats its purpose.
So what are we to do? The cosmetic industry is largely self-policing. According to the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, “…a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from FDA” (FDA 1995).[3] We can’t trust the government to make sure personal care products are safe for us to use, so we must educate ourselves. The Environmental Working Group was formed to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. See their research relating to toxins in our environment, cleaning products, food and personal care products at www.ewg.org. They have created a database at Cosmetic Database, a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products. There you can research for yourself the ingredients in the products you use, and on a scale of 0-10 (no toxins to very toxic) see how toxic they are and why.
Consider reading Not Just a Pretty Face by Stacy Malkan, about “The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry.” Another good reference is Beauty to Die For by Judi Vance. Both of these books will help you take proactive measures to reduce the toxins we put in and on our bodies. We have to take charge of our family’s health, now! Good health is no longer something to take for granted.
Wendy Johnston of Freedom Marketing Group LLC specializes in educating people about natural health and wellness. Want to learn more about green, holistic skin care? Get a free copy of “The Naked Truth About Skin Care”
Organic and All Natural Personal Care Products: Why?
Everyday we are exposed to a multitude of contaminates and toxins from the air we breathe, the clothes we wear and the personal care products we use. Most of us don’t stop to think about the risk we take when we constantly put chemicals into and onto our bodies and often it is assumed that if it is for sale then it is tested and safe. Wouldn’t the health regulations make sure everything is safe to use? Not really. Below are the top factors in why we should think twice before going for the conventional personal care products.
Poor Regulation: Personal care products are a part of the United States Cosmetics Industry and since 1938 this industry has been self regulated. Additionally the manufactures have no federal review or approval process. The ingredients used are often synthetic; in fact there are over 10,000 chemicals that are used in personal care products with only about 11 percent of them being tested for health and safety of its users. Many of the chemicals used are proven to be toxic.
Toxic Chemicals: A few of the toxic chemicals used in many personal care products sold today include Parabens, Propylene Glycol, Lauramide and Sodium Laurel Sulfate. These chemicals can cause health concerns, especially when used over a long period of time and when you consider we begin in infancy we set ourselves up for a lifetime of toxic chemical exposure. Propylene Glycol is used in brake fluid and antifreeze. Additionally this toxic chemical has been shown to cause kidney and liver damage. Parabens mimic estrogen and is linked to breast cancer. Two foaming agents widely used are Lauramide and Sodium Laurel Sulfate is carcinogenic. Take a look at the ingredients on your personal care products and compare it to a directory of toxic chemicals available for your use.
Petroleum Use: In a recent study by a not for profit environmental group shows that over half of the baby soaps and many common personal care products using petroleum bases also contain a carcinogen 1,4-dioxane. The study went on to show that 80% of cosmetic products contained one or more carcinogenic impurities including formaldehyde, hydroquinone, ethylene dioxide, PAH’s, nitrosamines and acrylamides. To avoid the top carcinogens avoid products with ingredient lists that include: PEG, xynol, sodium laureth sulfate and oleth. Additionally, the report suggested using only organic products to avoid a host of problems; environmental and health related. Environmentally, avoiding petroleum based personal care products helps to reduce the non renewable oil usage. Remember, if you can’t eat it you shouldn’t wear it!
Poor Labeling for Safety: This issue is not one that is designed to protect the consumer but more to protect the manufacture. There are no safety regulations that specify a product must be tested; however, if not tested it must have a warning of the fact that it is untested. What is worse is that if tested the results do not have to be reported and a product that has been tested and kills 50% of the animals used in the testing can still receive a federal safety recommendation of being non toxic. Harsh chemicals and poor ethics combine to bombard our bodies with chemicals, additives and synthetically created fragrance.
Harmful Fragrance and Animal Testing: The personal care products we use everyday are loaded with about 5,000 fragrance additives and most are synthetically created and are not required to include ingredients. The fact is fragrances are one leading contributor to headaches, asthma and allergic reactions as well as harsh chemical additives contributing to health concerns. An additional problem with conventional personal care products is the animal testing that takes place. Of all the animals used for testing purposes only about 27% are actually used for medical research with the remaining 73% being used to promote consumer products. Products listed as Organic will never use animal testing.
Now that we can see distinct reasons why we really should avoid using the conventional personal care products we can look at the alternatives and why we should make the move to organic personal care products.
Natural Ingredients: Organic and all natural personal care products use only natural, sustainable and organic ingredients in the manufacture of the product. Ingredients that are found naturally in nature as well as using minimal processing allows the natural essence and benefits to remain in the product nourishing your body, skin and hair.
Natural Fragrance: The natural fragrances found in organic personal care products are derived from natural essential oils and offer wonderful scent combinations that add to the health benefits of the product. Damaging synthetic fragrances are never used in organic products.
Eco-Friendly Production: The Cosmetics industry accounts for a large portion of the manufacturing industry and by using eco-friendly manufacturing processes you are assured that you are supporting a health Earth.
No Petroleum: Organic care products will never include petroleum in their ingredients and therefore, in using organics, you lessen your carbon footprint and your impact on the Earth. Recycling the packaging will increase the Earth friendly effects.
It is really easy to see the difference between the conventional products and organics. It is true, conventional products are often very inexpensive and this is often due to the manufacturing process coming from sweatshops and shipped overseas. Many large companies are beginning to offer organic products at inflated prices as well. Organics may cost a bit more because the process in manufacture will always include fair trade practices and the ingredients and natural and of exceptionally high quality ensuring the health and safety of the product. Products such as Flower-Child Organics offers organic products at affordable prices and are manufactured by a small family owned company by people who have a passion for your health and the health of the Earth.
For more information on how to find Flower-Child Organics go to: Flower-Child Organics
Holistically Alive is a service and product provider endeavoring to help bring the world to a state of balance through holistic practices.
Through education and personal exploration we can achieve that balance and a more insightful way of life in what can seem and unbalanced world.
The founder of this program, Laura Cass, has been a student of the Metaphysical Sciences for over 20 year and is currently recieving her dual doctorate through the University of Metaphysical Sciences. She has written and ghost written personal affirmations and self improvement books and is penning her own full length book on Holism.
A mother of 3 her passion is in the family and healing and workng to create positive changed in the world.
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