Toxic ingredients are hard to avoid because there are more chemicals now than ever before. The growth has been especially rapid in the last 10 years as reported by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS). CAS is the world’s authority for chemical information, and registered the 100 millionth chemical substance in 2015. It is not hard to imagine that we are exposed to more chemicals and toxins than ever. The fact that labels on cosmetics and body care products are not that easy to read, makes it even more concerning. And there is surprisingly little regulation making it difficult to trust the claims that manufacturers place on their products. A word such as “natural” can be used by anyone for anything. Even “organic” can be misleading. That is because companies are supposed to use an organic label only if all ingredients are certified-organic, but they can also say it’s “made with organic” if it contains a minimum of 70 percent certified-organic ingredients. The remaining 30 percent still leaves a lot of room for toxins.
In addition, there is an “innocent-till-proven-guilty” approach to ingredients. Unless a chemical used in beauty products is proven to cause harm to human health, it is classified as GRAS, or “generally recognized as safe.” This classification is upheld by the U.S. FDA. The best thing we can do is read ingredient lists carefully in order to avoid chemicals that are known to be harmful, even though they continue to be widely used. The Environmental Working Group website and phone app can be very helpful, http://www.ewg.org. As well as other phone apps like “Think Dirty”, “Ingredio”, and “SkinSafe”. With this phone apps, you scan a bar code and ingredient information is displayed.
Here are some of the common toxic ingredients to watch for.
Artificial Dyes and Synthetic Colors
From hot pink lipstick, to pink and peach blushes, to a gorgeous nail polish. If your favorite cosmetics are conventional, chances are they are dangerous. That’s because many of the synthetic colors are made from coal tar, a byproduct of coal processing Coal tar is a known human carcinogen, according to the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Europe has banned many of these ingredients in hair dyes. While FDA sanctions coal tar in specialty products such as dandruff and psoriasis shampoos, the long-term safety of these products has not been demonstrated.
Artificial colors have been shown in studies to be carcinogenic and are likely to cause skin sensitivity and irritation due to the heavy metals they deposit on your skin when you use them. To determine if the color in your lipstick is real or not, just check the ingredients. If you see anything listed beginning with FD&C or D&C, consider avoiding it.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is another toxic ingredient. It reduces the melanin in the skin to get rid of dark spots. It is dangerous for several reasons. First of all, it permanently alters the pigment in skin while also weakening the elastin and collagen in the problem area. Elastin and collagen are important for keeping the skin firm and youthful. Some people get unsightly blotches after using hydroquinone, and far more get contact dermatitis or have allergic reactions after regular use. It can also cause a skin disease called ochronosis. Ochronosis results in blue-black lesions that in the worst cases become permanent black caviar-size bumps. In animal studies, hydroquinone has caused tumor development.
Oxybenzone
In human epidemiological studies, oxybenzone has been linked to irritation, sensitization and allergies. And it is an active ingredient in quite a few sunscreen products. Studies on cells and laboratory animals indicate that oxybenzone and its metabolites may disrupt the hormone system. It has also been linked to low birth weights in baby girls. What is even more concerning is that a study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control found that oxybenzone is present in the urine of 97% of Americans. With figures like these, chances are it’s already in your system, so you may want to limit your future exposure to this toxic ingredient as much as possible.
Parabens
This includes Propyl-, Isopropyl-, Benzyl-, Butyl-, Ethyl-, Propyl-, Methyl-, and Isobutyl- parabens. We’ve all been hearing more about the dangers of parabens. They are unquestionably the most commonly used preservatives in the cosmetics industry. They’re in just about any cream or lotion you might use because they prevent mold, fungus and parasites from growing. The problem is that like most things you put on the skin, they can be absorbed.
Parabens are estrogen-mimicking. The CDC has detected parabens in virtually all Americans bodies. It has even been found in breast cancer tumors. Because of this, it is suspected to be a possible cause of breast cancer in women and testicular cancer in men, although there haven’t been any conclusive studies proving this. This may be why there are so many “paraben-free” items available now. These types of products would be a better option than those containing traditional parabens. But be careful, this has become a labeling trick for a lot of products. While the product may be paraben-free, it may still contain other harmful and toxic ingredients.
Phthalates
This class of substances is found in just about everything. A study done by the US Centers for Disease Control found a trace of it in every single person they analyzed. This is problematic because phthalates have been found to act as a hormone disruptor linked to reproductive defects, insulin resistance and developmental problems in children. Because of this, pregnant women should avoid it. Watch for it in nail polishes labeled with dibutyl phathalate. In addition, a growing number of studies indicate that chemical family damages the male reproductive system.
What makes this even scarier is that phthalates usually aren’t listed on the label. In personal care items, they’re used to help lubricate other substances, help lotions penetrate and soften the skin, and help fragrances last longer. They’re also used in toys and many household products, including adhesives, plastic wrap, plastic containers, and other things made of vinyl or PVC. Finally, is can be found in anything that misleadingly lists “fragrance” as an ingredient. So it is best to use products that are scented with essential oils or plant materials instead.
Did this help you? If so, I’d greatly appreciate it if you commented and/or share it on social media.
Email: sharonledwards@hotmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharonledwardsbiz/