According
to the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration, of 2,983 substances
used in personal care products, 884 were found to be toxic, 146 were found to cause cancerous
tumors, 218 could cause reproductive complications,
314 can cause biological mutations and 376 could cause eye and skin irritations.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Called a humectant in
cosmetics, it is a mineral oil used in “hydraulic fluid” and industrial
anti-freeze. A strong skin irritant it can also cause liver abnormalities and
kidney damage.
SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE / SODIUM LAURETH
SULPHATE
These are also very commonly used, as they are very cheap. These are harsh
detergents that strip the skin and cause contact dematitis. These are the exact
same lathering cleansers you find in your dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo and
toothpaste. These substances cause canker sores in the mouth from using
toothpaste, and irritates women and girls who take bubble baths. These
ingredients indicate a low quality product, no matter what the cost, and they
will make your skin age faster. This is often used with a numbing agent in case
it gets in your eyes, like with many popular baby shampoos, so they seem gentle.
MINERAL OIL
A commonly used ingredient, as it is a very inexpensive substance. This is basically petroleum, like what you put in your car. It is known to clog pores and while it does not moisturize as many believe, it will trap water inside the skin. A product containing this ingredient, especially if it is an expensive product, is something to beware of. An expensive product containing this has no commitment to quality ingredients. It is a substitute for rich plant oils like jojoba, almond oil, apricot kernel oil, etc.
DIOXINS
A potentially carcinogenic
by-product that results from the process used to bleach paper.
Dioxin
treated containers can transfer dioxins to the product in the
container.
FORMALDEHYDE
A toxic, colourless gas that is
an irritant and a carcinogen. When combined with water, formaldehyde
is
used as a disinfectant, fixative or preservative. Found in many cosmetic
products and conventional
nail care systems.
ALUMINUM
A metallic element used extensively in the
manufacture of aircraft components is an ingredient in anti-perspirants,
antacids and antiseptics. Associated with AlzheimerÂ’s
disease.
FLUOROCARBONS
A colorless , non-flammable gas
or liquid that can produce mild upper respiratory tract irritation.
Fluorocarbons are commonly used as a propellant in
hairsprays.
LANOLIN
A fatty substance extracted from wool,
which is frequently found in cosmetics and lotions. Lanolin is a common skin
sensitiser that can cause allergic reactions, such as skin
rashes.
TALC
Routine application of talc in the genital
area is associated with 3-4 times increased risk of ovarian cancer.
This is an emulsifier and also strips the lipid barrier from the skin. In addition to this, the University of Bologna, Italy has found it to be the most frequent 'sensitizer' among commonly used emulsifiers in the US. A sensitizer might sound tame, but skin cells which are more sensitive are also exposed to a plethora of conditions which can increase the chance of abnormal cell reproduction and/or hyperpigmentation.
