If your Personal Care Products and cosmetics contain any of the following chemicals, you may like to reconsider whether you want to continue applying these toxins to your skin, hair and body - and to your families.
Believe it or not, the following toxic chemicals are NOT ALL the dangerous chemicals found in your everyday skin care and personal care products.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
This harsh detergent and emulsifier, petroleum derived, strips skin and hair of its natural oils, increasing skin permeability and allowing absorption of other toxic chemicals into the dermis and bloodstream. This is a known skin irritant, causing skin rashes. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate can cause eye irritation and conditions like cataracts, blindness, organ damage, damage to your immune system, respiratory damage, headaches and vomiting. SLS is found in nearly anything that lathers, including toothpastes, shampoos, body washes and skin moisturisers.
Formaldehyde
This highly toxic preservative causes skin rashes and has been linked to cancer, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, skin irritation, dermatitis, asthma, shortness of breath, nose bleeds, nausea and vomiting, chest pains and dizziness. Formaldehyde is used in nail polish, nail hardeners, mascara, soaps, shampoos, many moisturising creams, bubble bath and deodorants.
These 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 which has been linked to foetal and birth defects. This dangerous chemical is found in hair dyes, 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't 'breathe' and is de-hydrated by any petroleum based skin 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 moisturisers, body oils etc.
Petrolatum (Petroleum jelly)
An incredibly cheap mineral oil derivative that will de-hydrate and dry your skin out, strangely enough this is used in skin moisturisers and lip balms specifically targeted at dry skin and lips! Used in products recommended for nappy rash. Talk about self perpetuating 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 which 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, Parabens can cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. These preservatives can interfere with the endocrine system with 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, 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 certainly be avoided.
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, 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.
Shocking, isn't it?
Are there non toxic Personal Care Products out there that deliver results?
• Yes, loads! There are many great quality organic and natural personal care products out there that are hand made with love, but don't trust a label just because it sais 'All Natural', read on... Unfortunately the market is being flooded with companies trying to sell you products that aren't at all 'All Natural'.
• Contact Natural Skin and Beauty with your specific issues, or view our Natural Skin Care, Natural Hair Care and Mineral Makeup Pages for more information on natural skin care and hair care products that truly are hand made with love.
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)
No comments:
Post a Comment