Dangerous Ingredients in Cosmetics

I have a theory on skincare.  Unless the ingredients are pure enough to be ingested, I will not put it on my skin, the largest organ of the body.  


Similar to reading food labels, it is just as important to read labels on your cosmetics.  You may be surprised to find ingredients that are not only harmful to your health, but often unnecessary.  I challenge you to find a cosmetic product in your household and take a close look at the ingredient list on the product label.  Compare it to the following list of ingredients that should be avoided in all cosmetics:  


1.    Parabens (methylparabens, propylparabens, butyl parabens, ethyl parabens).
Widely used in cosmetics for their anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, parabens are often found in products that need to be produced on a mass scale.  They are cheap and effective;  parabens help with preserving the shelf-life of the product for multiple years.  Nevertheless, current research has identified the preservative to have possible links with breast cancer and also disruptive to the endocrine system.  Although it can be argued that parabens are used in small amounts for cosmetic purposes, why even choose to be exposed to them when there are so many other alternatives available now?   


2.  Petrolatum or mineral oil.  
Ever wonder why using certain lip balms lead to drier and more chapped lips?  It's because of petrolatum, an inexpensive ingredient found in common lip balms.   Not only is this ingredient derived from a non-renewable resource, but it also interferes with the natural moisture barrier of the skin.  


3.  Propylene glycol.  
This ingredient is commonly found in anti-freeze and can cause allergic reactions in many individuals, even in concentrations as low as 2%.  Some cosmetics can contain up to 50% of this ingredient.  It should be avoided at all times for any patients with ezcema or dermatitis.  


4.  Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or Sodium Laureth Sulphate.
SLS is known as the "MSG" of cosmetics.  Added almost to everything, SLS acts as a detergent and makes products foam better.  It is also a major skin irritant, having been linked to itchy, inflamed skin due to its protein-denaturing properties.  It can also irritate eyes and mucus membranes, and has been linked to carcinogenic activity.  


5.  Phthalates.
This ingredient is commonly found in perfumes and other toiletries.  In North America, it is added to plastics to increase the flexibility of the material.  Phthalates have actually been banned by the European Union for use in children's toys for fear of ingestion.  In cosmetics, it is an industrial chemical that acts as a solvent.  Phthalates can be absorbed through the skin and have been shown to cause serious side effects, including a wide range of reproductive and genetic health problems.  


6.  Formaldehyde or Imidazolidinyl Urea/Diazolidinyl Urea
Instead of using parabens, many cosmetic manufacturers are substituting with formaldehyde or its derivatives.  These ingredients are toxic and are the primary concern for contact dermatitis.  Avoid at all costs if you have sensitive skin or are prone to eczema.  


7.  Ethanolamines (DEA, ETA, MEA)
These ingredients are used as surfactants in cosmetics; however, they are also known to be toxic, flammable, and corrosive.  In fact, ethanolamines are both skin and eye irritants.  They may also form carcinogenic compounds (nitrosamines) when in contact with certain ingredients.  
 
 

8.  Phenoxyethanol
This tricky ingredient is added to many "natural" or "organic" cosmetics.  It is used as a preservative so that cosmetic manufacturers can list their product as being "paraben-free."  In Japan, it has actually been restricted for cosmetic purposes.  Current research demonstrates that phenoxyethanol can depress the central nervous system. Recently, the FDA issued a warning against consumer products (nipple creams for new moms) that contained phenoxyethanol. 


These are just a few of the ingredients to avoid in your cosmetics.  In the end, it is you, the consumer, that makes the choice in what you put on your skin.  


Cosmetics made with high quality herbs and plant ingredients are often shelf-stable for 6 months without the use of synthetic preservatives.  You just need to look for a product that is not mass-produced and made in small quantities.  I'd prefer a shorter shelf-life to my products than having the "junk" added to it.  

W.L