Here again
is another post about harmful substances in our everyday lives. I tell you it's not easy living a toxin-free life, but ignorance is NOT bliss when it comes to our health. This is the latest "quick" list of ingredients to avoid in our beauty regiments...
Benzalkonium chloride: Biocide, preservative and surfactant associated with severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergies,
benzalkonium chloride is a sensitizer especially dangerous for people
with asthma or skin conditions like eczema. It is found in many
household disinfectants and cleaning supplies. Regular use of products
containing antimicrobials such as benzalkonium chloride could lead to
development of resistant bacteria.
BHA: The National Toxicology Program classifies
butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) as “reasonably anticipated to be a human
carcinogen.” It can cause skin depigmentation. In animal studies, BHA
produces liver damage and causes stomach cancers such as papillomas and
carcinomas and interferes with normal reproductive system development
and thyroid hormone levels. The European Union considers it unsafe in
fragrance. It is found in food, food packaging, and personal care
products sold in the U.S.
Coal tar hair dyes and other coal tar ingredients
(including Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, Phenylenediamine): Coal tar, a
byproduct of coal processing, is a known human carcinogen , according to
the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for
Research on Cancer. Hair stylists and other professionals are exposed
to these chemicals in hair dye almost daily. While FDA sanctions coal
tar in specialty products such as dandruff and psoriasis shampoos, the
long-term safety of these products has not been demonstrated.
DMDM hydantoin & bronopol (2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol): Cosmetics preservatives that decompose and release formaldehyde ,
which the International Agency on Research on Cancer lists as a known
human carcinogen. The preservatives and their decomposition products,
including formaldehyde, can trigger allergic reactions. About one-fifth
of U.S. cosmetics and personal care products contain a chemical that
releases formaldehyde. Not surprisingly, more Americans develop contact
allergies to these ingredients than Europeans.
Formaldehyde: A potent preservative considered a known human carcinogen by the International Agency on Research on Cancer.
Formaldehyde, also an asthmagen, neurotoxicant and developmental
toxicant, was once mixed into to many personal care products as
antiseptic. This use has declined. But some hair straighteners are
based on formaldehyde’s hair-stiffening action and release substantial
amounts of the chemical. Many common preservatives also release
formaldehyde into products (like DMDM hydantoin, quaternium, and urea
compounds).
Fragrance: It may help sell products from face cream to laundry detergent, but do you know what’s in it?
Fragrances are in everything from shampoo to deodorant to lotion.
Federal law doesn’t require companies to list on product labels any of
the chemicals in their fragrance mixture. Recent research from EWG and
the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found an average of 14 chemicals in 17
name brand fragrance products, none of them listed on the label.
Fragrances can contain hormone disruptors and are among the top 5
allergens in the world. Our advice? Buy fragrance free.
Hydroquinone: A skin bleaching chemical that can cause a skin disease
called ochronosis, with blue-black lesions that in the worst cases
become permanent black caviar-size bumps. In animal studies,
hydroquinone has caused tumor development. The National Toxicology
Program is conducting reproductive toxicity and dermal carcinogenicity
studies of this chemical.
Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone:
Preservatives, commonly used together in personal care products, among
the most common irritants, sensitizers and causes of contact allergy Lab studies on mammalian brain cells suggest that methylisothiazolinone may be neurotoxic.
Oxybenzone: Sunscreen agent and ultraviolet light absorber, found in nearly all Americans ,
according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In
human epidemiological studies, oxybenzone has been linked to irritation,
sensitization and allergies. A study of 404 New York City women in the
third trimester of pregnancy associated higher maternal concentration of
oxybenzone with a decreased birth weight among newborn baby girls but
with greater birth weight in newborn boys. Studies on cells and
laboratory animals indicate that oxybenzone and its metabolites may
disrupt the hormone system.
Parabens (Propyl, Isopropyl, Butyl, and Isobutylparabens): Parabens are estrogen-mimicking preservatives,
found in breast cancer tumors of 19 of 20 women studied. The CDC has
detected parabens in virtually all Americans surveyed. According to the
European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, longer
chain parabens like propyl and butyl paraben and their branched
counterparts, isopropyl and isobutylparabens, may disrupt the endocrine
system and cause reproductive and developmental disorders.
PEG/Ceteareth/Polyethylene compounds: These
synthetic chemicals are frequently contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which
the U.S. government considers a probably human carcinogen and which
readily penetrates the skin.
Cosmetics makers could easily remove 1,4-dioxane from ingredients, but
tests documenting its common presence in products show that they often
don’t.
Petroleum distillates: Petroleum-extracted cosmetics ingredients, commonly found in mascara.
They may cause contact dermatitis and are often contaminated with
cancer-causing impurities. They are produced in oil refineries at the
same time as automobile fuel, heating oil and chemical feedstocks.
Phthalates: A growing number of studies link this
chemical to male reproductive system disorders. Pregnant women should
avoid nail polish containing dibutyl phathalate. Everyone should avoid
products with “fragrance” indicating a chemical mixture that may contain
phthalates.
Resorcinol: Common ingredient in hair color and
bleaching products; skin irritant, toxic to the immune system and
frequent cause of hair dye allergy. In animal studies, resorcinol can
disrupt normal thyroid function. The federal government regulates
exposures to resorcinol in the workplace, but its use is not restricted
in personal care products.
Retinyl palmitate and retinol (Vitamin A): Vitamin A
is an essential nutrient, but excessive amounts can cause severe birth
defects if women are exposed during pregnancy New evidence shows that
when applied to sun-exposed skin, for instance, in sunscreens, lip
products and daytime moisturizers, these compounds can break down and
produce toxic free radicals that can damage DNA and cause skin cancer.
Recent date from the federal Food and Drug Administration indicate that
when retinyl palmitate is applied to the skin in the presence of
sunlight, it speeds the development of skin tumors and lesions.
Toluene: Volatile petrochemical solvent and paint thinner and potent
neurotoxicant that acts as an irritant, impairs breathing and causes
nausea A pregnant woman’s exposure to toluene vapors during pregnancy
may impair fetal development. In human epidemiological and animal
studies, toluene has been associated with toxicity to the immune system.
Some evidence suggests a link to malignant lymphoma.
Triclosan & Triclocarban: Antimicrobial pesticides in liquid soap (triclosan) or soap bars (triclocarban), very toxic to the aquatic environment.
often found as contaminants in people due to widespread use of
antimicrobial cleaning products. Triclosan disrupts thyroid function
and reproductive hormones. American Medical Association and the American
Academy of Microbiology say that soap and water serves just as well to
prevent spread of infections and reduce bacteria on the skin. Overuse
may promote the development of bacterial resistance.
