I bet you don’t know any person who does not use at least 3 cosmetic products regularly, no matter whether they are male or female. If you happen to know someone not using absolutely anything that is merchandised on the cosmetic market (including hygiene products like soap and shampoo), then they would probably be considered at least odd. Well I also bet that you are definitely not one of those, by simply assuming that you wouldn’t be reading this article right now. This is why we all should bring up the “health” question when it comes to taking care of your appearance.
When we talk about safe cosmetics, we aren’t just talking about make-up. The national campaigns for safe cosmetics talk about every personal product that you put on your body: deodorant, make-up, shampoo and conditioner, hair gel, nail polish, toothpaste, sunscreen, aftershave, cologne, aging creme, hydrating creme and the list goes on and on. Any personal care product or beauty product that women or men use is referred to as a cosmetic.
Take a look at the video and also the below list and then you may want to double check the product ingredients you have in your bathroom.
- 1,4-dioxane – It is a carcinogenic contaminant of cosmetics. Almost 50% of cosmetics containing ethoxylated surfactants were found to also have dioxane.
- 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol) - Toxic, causes allergic contact dermatitis. Look for Nitrosating agents below.
- Isopropyl (SD-40) - A very irritating solvent and dehydrator that strips your skin’s natural acid mantle, making it more vulnerable to bacteria, molds and viruses. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative. It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin.
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Potassium Coco Hydrolysed Collagen, TEA (Triethanolamine) Lauryl Sulfate, Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine, Disodium Oleamide Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate - are all Anionic Surfactants. Surfactants can pose serious health threats. They are used in car washes, as garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers and in 90% of personal-care products that foam. They alsomay be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.
- Benzalkonium Chloride – Primary skin irritant, but also highly toxic if ingested.
- Butylated Hudroxyanisole (BHA), Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) – Causes allergic contact dermatitis. The latter contains also Toluene.
- Isothiazolinone – Corrosive to the eyes with possible permanent damage.
- DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine) – Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH, and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser.
- Imidazolidinyl urea - The trade name for this chemical is Germall 115. Releases formaldehyde, a carcinogenic chemical, into cosmetics at over 10°C.
- Ethoxylated surfactants - Are widely used in cosmetics as foaming agents, emulsifiers and humectants. As part of the manufacturing process the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane, a potent carcinogen, is generated. On the label, they are identified by the prefix “PEG”, “polyethylene”, “polyethylene glycol”, “polyoxyethylene”, “-eth-”, or “-oxynol-”.
- FD&C Color Pigments - Synthetic colors 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.
- Formaldehyde – Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen (causes cancer). Causes allergic, irritant and contact dermatitis, headaches and chronic fatigue. The vapor is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat (mucous membranes)
- Fragrance – Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to four thousand separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic. Symptoms reported to the USA FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation.
- Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone - Both cause cosmetic allergies.
- Paraben preservatives (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl) - Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes.
- Propylene/Butylene Glycol (PG) - Is a petroleum derivative. It penetrates the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. Commonly used to make extracts from herbs. PG is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats, if in proper concentration.
- Talc – Scientific studies have shown that routine application of talcum powder in the genital area is associated with a three-to-fourfold increase in the development of ovarian cancer.
- Toluene – Harmful or fatal if swallowed in large quantities. Harmful if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Prolonged exposure to toluene may affect the developing fetus.
3 Comments on "List of Harmful Cosmetic Compounds"
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