Harmful Chemicals in CosmeticsIf you're like the majority of people, you probably don't realise that there are a lot of harmful chemicals in cosmetics, from your every day personal care items to antiaging skin care and makeup.Just check the ingredient labels of the products in your bathroom cabinet to see if the ingredient list is difficult to pronounce and looks more like a chemistry lesson rather than a list of natural, potent plant based ingredients. Here are just a few of the harmful chemicals in skin care, body care and makeup that may be lurking in your products. 1,4-dioxane: A carcinogenic contaminant of cosmetic products. Almost 50% of cosmetics containing ethoxylated surfactants were found to contain dioxane. All fragrances: Fragrance can indicate the presence of up to four thousand separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic, the most notorious being pthalates. Fragrance is how many manufacturers mask toxic or carcinogenic chemicals in skin care, makeup and many other products. Harmful chemicals in cosmetics that end in –eth or have –eth in their name: Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES) are frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics with the explanation "comes from coconut". When combined with other chemicals, SLES and ALES can create nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens.
Harmful chemicals in cosmetics from petrolatum: Mineral oil, liquidum paraffinum, parrafin oil, parrafin wax and petrolatum are used by manufacturers in many products because it is so cheap. They are all by-products of petroleum that coat the skin like plastic, clogging pores, promoting acne and other disorders and interfering with the skin's ability to eliminate toxins. They also slow down skin function and cell development which results in premature aging. In addition, mineral oil derivatives can be contaminated with cancer causing PAH's (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons). Ethoxylated surfactants: 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-". Nitrosating Agents: The following harmful chemicals in cosmetics can cause nitrosamine contamination, which have been determined to form cancer in laboratory animals. There are wide and repeated concerns in the USA and Europe about the contamination of cosmetics products with nitrosamines.
Some of the symptoms reported to the USA FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Paraben preservatives: (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl) are used to extend the shelf life of products even though they are known to be toxic and have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. They are highly toxic. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) compounds: A potentially carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that is used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease. It is also used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners. It can alter and reduce the skin's natural moisture factor which could increase the appearance of aging and leave you more vulnerable to bacteria. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS): Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers and in 90% of products that foam. Animals exposed to SLS and ALS experience eye damage, central nervous system depression, laboured breathing, diarrhoea, severe skin irritation, and even death. It is frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics with the explanation "comes from coconut". Want More Information on Harmful Chemicals in Cosmetics? The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is an environmental non-profit organization that specializes in environmental research. According to their website, EWG's mission is "to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment." They have set up a cosmetics safety database which indexes and scores products based on their ingredients, so you can check for chemicals in skin care, makeup and cosmetics. Curious to see how your skin care, makeup and personal care products rate? And here is another great resource; the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) which is recognised as the international standard for providing safety information about chemical ingredients used by humans.
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