Personal care products unregulated
Men, women and children are all exposed to ingredients in personal care products everyday. According to EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Data Base “the average woman uses 12 products containing 168 different ingredients daily. Many cosmetic chemicals are designed to penetrate into the skin’s inner layers,
and they do”. Most consumers don’t realize that the FDA does not require safety testing of ingredients in personal care products.
Are you too glam to give a damn?
It’s impossible to avoid every single synthetic chemical out there, I get it. You can do your part in limiting the amount of toxins your body is exposed to. Eat clean, avoiding as much chemical processed foods as possible, drink plenty of filtered water and read your personal care product labels carefully.
Educate yourself and do your research before you buy. You have one life to live and one body. If you don’t take care of yourself now, you may pay for it later. I have started a little list for you to begin with. Obvious I can’t list everything, but its a start. I’ve included a lot of the research for you to see and research even deeper, if you wanted to.
Ingredients to avoid and why
LOOK FOR: Benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP), Di-n-butyl phthalate or Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Diethyl phthalate (DEP).
Recycled bottle #3 plastics has a risk of releasing toxic breakdown like phthalates into food and drinks and cosmetics. Look on the bottom of the bottle and food container
Avoid Vinyl and PVC plastic Unless the manufacture specifies that the product is phthalate-free, avoid soft vinyl products with a strong plastic smell including toys and shower curtains. Choose fabric or non-plastic cosmetic bags.
Choose phthalate-free cosmetics Read the labels and look for “phthalate-free”.
Avoid products with fragrance Phthalates are used in “fragrance” mixtures that are added to cosmetic products.
Parabens are estrogen mimicking preservatives commonly used in cosmetics. According to Breastcancer.org parabens can potentially turn on growth hormone-receptor that cause breast cancers. Parabens are used as a preservatives to prevent the growth of microbes. They are known endocrine disrupters, probable carcinogen, could cause developmental and reproductive disorders. These endocrine disrupting chemicals can be absorbed through skin, blood and the digestive system. They are found in shampoos, conditioners, lotions, facial cleansers, shower cleansers and scrubs. Here’s a guide to safer plastic from chej.org
LOOK FOR: Ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, other ingredients ending in – paraben on the label.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): According to a report in the International Journal of Toxicology by the cosmetic industry’s own Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) committee, impurities found in various PEG compounds include:
- Ethylene oxide: Increases the incidences of uterine and breast cancers and of leukemia and brain cancer, according to experimental results reported by the National Toxicology Program.
- 1,4-dioxane: According to the National Toxicology Program, “1,4-dioxane is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”
- Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs): Known to increase the risk of breast cancer.
- Lead
- Iron
- Cobalt
- Nickel
- Cadmium
- Arsenic
Unfortunately, the risks associated with PEG compounds are widely underexposed. Even the CIR concluded that many PEG compounds “are safe for use” in cosmetics, yet they added that PEG compounds should “not be used on damaged skin.” In cosmetics, PEGs function in three ways: as emollients (which help soften and lubricate the skin), as emulsifiers (which help water-based and oil-based ingredients mix properly), and as vehicles that help deliver other ingredients deeper into the skin.
LOOK FOR: PEG’s on labels
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Ammonium Laurel Sulfate (ALS) Sodium lauryl sulfate is a surfactant, detergent, and emulsifier used in cosmetic products, as well as in industrial cleaners. Although SLS originates from coconuts, the chemical is anything but natural according to Dr. Mercola. The problem with SLES/SLS is that the manufacturing process (ethoxylation) results in SLES/SLS being contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, a carcinogenic by-product.
LOOK FOR: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Ammonium Laurel Sulfate (ALS) on the labels.
Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) builds up your bloodstream and liver and can stay in your body several years. Exposure to PFCs reduces a woman’s fertility. Maternal exposure to PFCs before and during pregnancy can lead to lower births weights and may affect organ and skeletal growth of the fetus. Animal studies show that PFCs lead to increased rate miscarriages and neonatal deaths in mice. PFOA induced testicular, pancreatic, mammary and liver tumors in rats. In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency classified PFOA as a “likely human carcinogen.” In a 2004 study by the CDC they detected the PFCs: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFNA in more than 98% of the samples from a group representative of the U.S. population.
LOOK FOR: PFOA, PFOS, TEFLON, GORE-TEX, STAIN-RESISTANT, “FLUORO” “PERFLUORO”
Triclosan and triclocarban found in toothpaste, deodorant and antibacterial soap. Triclosan have been linked to hormonal disruptions, bacterial resistance, increased allergies, impaired muscle and immune function. As of Dec. 20, 2018, manufacturers will no longer manufacture and distribute triclosan antibacterial hand wash. But, don’t be fooled, deodorants, body washes and even toothpaste will still have triclosan in them. So read your labels!
LOOK FOR: Triclosan and triclocarban on the labels.
Oxybenzone and Octinoxate Found in sunscreens. Oxybenzone a known hormone disruptor, increased levels of oxybenzone in adolescence boys led to lower testosterone levels. Octinoxate isn’t much better: Sources say it may actually accelerate skin aging and has negative effects on the reproductive system and thyroid.
LOOK FOR: Oxybenzone and Octinoxate on the labels.
Dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde Found in nail polish and nail products. These chemicals, known as the “toxic trio,” have been linked to birth defects, endocrine disruption, headaches and respiratory problems. It’s advised that pregnant women avoid nail products altogether.
LOOK FOR: Dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde on the labels. According to EWG’s Skin Deep database, over 3,000 nail products only half disclose the use of TPHP.*
According to EWG’s teen study participants used an average of nearly 17 personal care products each day, while the average adult woman uses just 12 products daily. Thus, teens may unknowingly expose themselves to higher levels of cosmetic ingredients linked to potential health effects at a time when their bodies are more susceptible to chemical damage.
Sources for this article include:
EWG.org: The Environmental Working Group’s mission is to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. With breakthrough research and education, we drive consumer choice and civic action. They are a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment.
The National Toxicology Program: They provide scientific basis for programs, activities, and policies that promote health or lead to the prevention of disease.
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL): is the leading not-for-profit organisation addressing how the environment affects human health in the European Union (EU) and beyond.
Europe finally recognises four phthalates as human endocrine disruptors
Face the makeup: The website is funded by Colby College Environmental Studies Program, their website educates you on toxic ingredients found in cosmetics and gives resources on the science behind the harmful ingredients.
Breastcancer.org: Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer.
https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/cosmetics
Mercola.com: Dr. Mercola osteopathic physician, also known as a DO. board-certified in family medicine and served as the chairman of the family medicine department at St. Alexius Medical Center for five years. Trained in both traditional and natural medicine. His website is now the world’s top natural health resource site, with over 1.5 million subscribers. Learn more about Mercola.com
