Monday, October 17, 2011

The DIRTY DOZEN (baker's dozen)......chemicals to avoid in your health and beauty care.

This is my list of ingredients I am going out of my way to avoid. I no longer use products containing these ingredients. I have gone through my cupboards, drawers and cosmetics graveyard and disposed of each and every item that had these harmful ingredients. Its no small wonder that so many people have sensitive skin, Rosacea, Eczema, or even worse, cancer. It can't be just what we are eating or that we are licking lead on the walls. No, there is more to it. If you think about it, our skin is our largest organ. The sole purpose of our skin is to bring in Oxygen and to purge out the impurities and toxins. We absorb everything that is put on our skin unless it is Mineral Oil, which our skin can't absorb. Think about this, we now have the nicotine patch, birth control and other types of external delivery of medicines and therapeutics meant to be absorbed. This is why it is so important to think about what we are putting on our skin....our inside health seriously depends on it. 

To start with, I think it is worth mentioning that the grade of products I previously used ranged from low cost to what I thought of as 'high end" department store brands. After a lot of research, I have found out that 98% of the products available to us contain quite a few of the ingredients listed below. It is not price point based either. The fillers and chemicals make it cheaper to produce therefore more profitable for the manufacturer. I also think knowing just where your products are actually manufactured is ever bit as important as what is in them. Unfortunately, products made in other countries have been found to contain all sorts of "other" toxins that were never meant to be there....sort of the drawback to lax quality control and lead based storage systems.

The following are the 13 ingredients that you should avoid.....in no particular order. 

1. Talc 


Most recognized uses are in baby powder, body powders and face powder. It increases the risks of ovarian cancer and is part of the asbestos family.Carcinogenic when inhaled and also may result in fallopian tube fibrosis. Also Found in blush, condoms, and feminine powders.

2Phthaltes 


Mimics Hormones; teratogen (causes fetal damage); Fragrance fixative; ingredient plasticizer, used to make plastics soft;  Dibutyl phthalate is one of several different common phthalates that are routinely NOT listed on labels because they are part of  proprietary fragrances.  It accumulates in the body; proven damage to liver, lungs, kidneys and reproductive systems. Appears in vinyl flooring, plastic wallpaper, perfume, hair spray, deodorant, nail polish, hair gel, mousse, body and hand lotion. Look for it in children’s toys, as; DEHP, BBP and DBP.




3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 


Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a commonly used surfactant that is used in shampoos, body wash, hand soap, and just about anything that suds. It is a harsh irritant, may cause hair thinning, can build up in the heart, liver, lungs and brain. It also contributes to yest infections, cataracts and improper eye development in children under 6. Also listed as sodium laureth sulfate and sodium myreth sulfate.




4. Mineral Oil 


Blocks pores, sits on top of skin, prohibits skin from breathing. Made from crude oil and known to contain carcinogens and are reproductive system disruptors as well as can attribute to skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea. Typically found in lotions, baby oil, lipstick, lip gloss, lip balm, creams, shampoo, conditioner, to name a few.




5. Propylene Glycol.  


Is shown to cause dermatitis (eczema) kidney and liver abnormalities and may inhibit skin cell growth and irritating to the skin. Found in shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, cosmetics, baby wipes and toothpaste. But guess what, it is also used in anti-freeze and hydraulic fluids as well  as de-icer, laundry detergents, tobacco and floor waxes.  It is absorbed into the skin so quickly that factory workers are warned to avoid contact. Apparently it is a wetting agent so that is why it is used in our personal care products, it helps prolong the shelf life by keeping the products moist longer. No way do I want to use anti-freeze on my hair! 




6. Parabens


One of the most commonly used preservatives in the health and beauty industry. Preliminary studies show it linked to being an endocrine system disruptor, mimics estrogen, has been shown to be present in breast cancer patients. These common alternatives to parabens release carcinogenic formaldehyde: 
quarternium 15
diazolindinyl urea
dmdm hydratoin
sodium hyroxy methyl glycinate
benzyl alcohol
2-bromo-2nitropane-1, 3-diol





7.Tricolsan


Found in a lot of antimicrobial soaps and toothpaste products, it can react with chlorine in the tap water to create Chloroform. This is a toxic chemical that can give you cancer. If you breathe enough chloroform, you will die. When you wash your hands with antibacterial soap that contains Triclosan, you are getting the fumes emitted from this chemical reaction. This also applies to using antibacterial hand sanitizer too. Try something of a more natural base like Clean Well products.


8. Toulene



Poisonous to humans, can cause hallucinations, bone marrow changes, may cause liver and kidney damage and birth defects, endocrine disruptor and potential carcinogen linked to brain cancer. Irritates respiratory tract. Found in nail polish and cleaning products. So much for that manicure! I recommend Zoya nail products....they do not have toulene, formaldehyde, or Phthalates in them.


9. Collagen and Elastin  


Derived from animal skins and ground-up chicken feet. Both of these ingredients form films that may suffocate and over-moisturize the skin.  Many of the hyped ingredients found in most cosmetic brands cannot penetrate the skin because of their high-molecular weight, so they are of little benefit. For example: procollagen, collagen, elastin, cross-linked elastin, and hyaluronic acids... .....Other virtually useless ingredients are insoluble oil-based Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate), Placental Extracts, and Royal Bee Jelly.


10. 1,4-Dioxane 
The carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-Dioxane in widely found in lots of baby products, shampoos, body washes, lotions and other personal care and household cleaning products using the word “organic” or “natural” on the product label or ingredient list.  The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) defines 1,4-Dioxane as a clear liquid that easily dissolves in water and is used primarily as a solvent in the manufacture of chemicals or in various other uses that take advantage of its solvent properties.  1,4-Dioxane can be a trace contaminant in cosmetics, detergents, and shampoos which contain ethoxylated ingredients. Ethoxylation involves using the cancer-causing petrochemical ethylene oxide, which generates 1,4-Dioxane as a by-product.   1,4-dioxane is not listed with other ingredients on product labels, because it is formed as a  ‘by-product’ of the ethoxylation process and is considered a ‘contaminant,’ rather than an ingredient. So, what this means is that you avoid products that end with myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth or any other “eth”; also skip PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene or oxynol.

11. Animal Byproducts
Animal byproducts found in our cosmetics are the results of the industry buying rendered animal fat from Rendering plants. The rendering plants process the bodies of millions of tons of dead animals every year, breaking down decaying flesh and bones. The biggest provider of rendered animals is slaughterhouses, which is the left over parts of the animals that we don't eat. The bodies of animals who are euthanized in animal shelters and vets wind up at rendering plants too.....of course lets not forget that road kill and diseased animals contribute to this process as well. The rendering fat is found in many cosmetics like lipstick, lip gloss, lotions, creams, and so forth. The cosmetics industry is the largest consumer of the rendering fat, with the food industry coming in second. It is gross enough to think about cow brains on my lips but think about all of the chemicals used to euthanize an animal.....that is in the rendering. How about the diseased animals...or not to mention the growth hormones that were used in cattle and poultry....their remains have traces of that as well. All of this is going into a large container that cooks it all down and when the fat rises to the top, it is strained off and sold to the cosmetics manufacturers. Yuck.

By the way, there are many code names for dead cow brains (rendering fat) here is a link to PETA's website that lists the many names to look for on your labels.


12. DEA/TEA (Triethanolamine)
Chemical reactions between nitrites and DEA/ TEA occur during the manufacturing process and while products are stored in their containers. This reaction leads to the formation of nitrosamines. Most nitrosamines, including those formed from DEA or TEA, are carcinogenic. 
It is found in conditioners, shaving cream, bubble bath, shower gel, and shampoo.

13. FD&C 
Colour Pigments Synthetic colors are made from coal tar. Contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic. Synthetic colors used to color a cosmetic and should be avoided at all costs, along with hair dyes. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6. If a cosmetic contains them, don't use it. Since most cosmetics like lipstick and eye shadow are meant to be pigmented, there is technology that has been developed to make colorants that do not use harmful properties. Do the research.
  

This harmful ingredients list is not exhaustive and these ingredients may be found in numerous  personal care products. The above list was my top 12, however, we should be concerned about it all! 

Be sure to read your labels carefully!

  • Acrylate
  • acid orange 3
  • Acrylate copolymers
  • amorphous silicates
  • Benzyl acetate
  • blue 1,2,4
  • bromonitrodioxane
  • bronopol
  • bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol)
  • butyl benzylphthalate
  • Butylated hydroxyanisole
  • butylated hydroxytoluene
  • Ceteareth-3
  • chlorhexidine
  • Choleth-24
  • chrystalline silica
  • coal tar dyes
  • DEA
  • DEA-Cocamide & Lauramide & Oleamidecondensates
  • DEA-cocamide/lauramide condensates
  • DEA-MEA/Acetame
  • DEA-Sodium lauryl sulfate
  • diaminoanisole
  • diaminophenol
  • diaminotoluene
  • diazolidinyl urea
  • Diethanolamide-cocamide, lauramide & oleamide condensates
  • dioctyl adipate
  • disperse blue 1
  • disperse yellow 3
  • DMDM-Hydantoin
  • ethoxylated alcohols
  • ethyl alcohol
  • fluoride
  • formaldehyde
  • glutaral
  • green 1,2,3
  • hydroquinone
  • Imidazolidinyl urea
  • lanolin
  • Laureth's
  • Methacrylate copolymers
  • vMetheneamine
  • methylene chloride
  • Morpholine
  • nitrophenylenediamine
  • Nonoxynol
  • Oleth's
  • Padimate-O (octyldimethyl para-amino benzoic acid)
  • PEG's (polyethylene glycols)
  • polyoxymethyleneurea
  • Polysorbate 60
  • Polysorbate 80
  • polyvinyl acetate
  • polyvinyl pyrrolidone
  • p-phenylphenylenediamine
  • pyrocatechol
  • Pyroglutamic Acid
  • Quaternium-15
  • quaternium-26
  • red 4,9,17,19,22,33,40
  • saccharin
  • Sodium/Hydroxynethylglycinate
  • talc
  • TEA
  • vTEA-Sodium lauryl sulfate
  • titanium dioxide
  • Yellow 5,6,8

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