11 Toxic Cosmetic Ingredients You Must Avoid
The greener we become, the more we have to scrutinize. I for one have cleaned up my home, my diet, my cleaning products and ““ of utmost importance ““ the products I put on my skin. I’m an avid ingredient reader and do the research ““ after all, my skin is the largest organ in my body! Here’s a list of some common skin and hair care chemicals we all need to avoid.
Coal Tar: Coal tar is used to treat eczema, psoriasis and other skin disorders and can be found in anti-itch creams and scalp treatments. It’s also a known carcinogen.
Diethanolamine (DEA): A lathering agent in soaps and shampoos, DEA isn’t carcinogenic by itself, but can react with other chemicals in products to create a carcinogen readily absorbed into the skin. Look for DEA in many forms, such as Cocamide DEA, Oleamide DEA and Lauramide DEA.
Formaldehyde: A frighteningly common ingredient in a variety of beauty products. Formaldehyde can irritate your eyes, nose and throat, dry out and irritate your skin and even cause asthma and cancer with repeated exposure.
Parabens: Parabens have had a lot of press lately and I’m finding more and more products specifically labeled “paraben free.” This is because parabens, in their many forms (methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, or butylparaben) have been linked to breast cancer. The FDA claims that parabens aren’t dangerous at very low levels, but when you consider that 25,000 different cosmetics and skincare products contain these chemicals, it’s feasible to build up quite an exposure in a lifetime.
Phenylenediamine (PPD): An ingredient used in hair dyes (including eyelash dye), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has run studies that show a higher incidence of cancer among hairdressers and cosmetologists; they have the highest PPD exposure. Although PPD is not approved for products that come in contact with the skin, hair dye usually gets on your forehead or ears for up to 30 minutes. Why take the risk?
Phthalates: The subject of much controversy because of hormone-disrupting phthalates being found in plastic baby bottles and teethers, let’s not forget that they’re a common ingredient in cosmetics, too.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): A foaming agent in soaps and shampoos, SLS and SLES are skin irritants and can enter the heart, brain and liver through the skin and accumulate in these organs.
Toluene: Found in nail polish and hair dye, this is a nasty one. Toluene is toxic to the nervous system, and breathing it in can cause dizziness and headaches. High exposures can lead to birth defects and miscarriage, so watch out if you work in a nail salon. Use toluene-free brands of nail polish instead.
Fragrance: Because of an FDA loophole, cosmetic companies can hide a whole slew of chemicals, many of which are phthalates, under the label “fragrance.” Read more about the dangers of fragrance, and avoid this ingredient like the plague.
Triethanolamine (TEA): TEA is used to balance PH and is a common ingredient in “gentle” cosmetic products, but unfortunately it’s been known to cause allergic reactions, is an eye irritant and can cause dry hair and skin. With consistent use, TEA is absorbed into the body and accumulates, where it can become toxic.
Hydroquinone: A skin-bleaching ingredient, hydroquinone is banned in Japan, the European Union, and Australia, but it’s still in use in the United States and other countries worldwide. Hydroquinone is found not only in Asian and African skin-lightening products, but in creams to lighten age-spots as well. There’s some evidence that hydroquinone is a carcinogen, and is linked to ochnronosis, a condition in which grayish brown spots and bumps occur on the skin.
When choosing cosmetics, read the ingredients, do your homework and go as simple and natural as possible. You really don’t need all that extra junk to be beautiful.
Source: EWG
Image: ali edwards
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13 Comments
November 30th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Good article.
Another point is that whether safe or not, many of these ingredients are just plain irritating especially to sensitive skin.
The National Eczema Association highlight a list of ingredients that should be avoided as potential irritants on their site http://www.easeeczema.org although they do not weigh in on the safety or otherwise of the ingredients.
Another site that compares the ingredient lists of well known so called ’sensitive’ brands is called http://www.exederm.com
December 1st, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Thanks Caitmin for this resources. Truly there’s no excuse to keep using toxic and irritating ingredients. There are many quality, luscious skin and hair products out there these days that are healthy and nourishing to your skin and body.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:18 am
it’s so hard to find products without fragrance or sodium laureth sulfate!! essentially, i’ve either got to make my own stuff, shop at a health store, or … remain stinky and gross.
July 13th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
An abundance of information.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:49 am
Not sure this is very balanced, especially as many refer to allergenic attributes, which more a factor in the person than the product, there are after all rare people who are allergic to water on there skin.
All of these other ‘toxicities’ are HIGHLY dose related too. In the doses used the evidence that it is bad for you is probably very shaky if any at all (feel free to post it).
Dose is a fundamental. to use the water example again, too much of that is also toxic, and can causes brain swelling and death.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:52 am
Carcinogenic or not, irritating or not – most of the products with this stuff in are just plain unnecessary. You are already beautiful – you don’t need to dye your hair, paint your face or use some specially-formulated skin wash.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:44 am
Thanks Mr Blobby, that’s a nice sentiment. Sadly that is all it is. The truth is we are beings who are attracted to other beings in ways we are not in charge of. Beauty is power, the power to be noticed, influential, respected, whether that seems fair, or shallow or not. It just is how we function.
If it wasn’t you wouldn’t need to brush your hair or get dressed in order to be a full functioning member of society, but I hope you agree, we do!
October 8th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
That is a lot of information, and big words! But yet very informative
And thanks Mr. Blobby you are very nice. It’s true that our natural us is already beautiful.
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:44 am
Yes, indeed. Chemicals are scary things.
I think you should add to the list that we must absolutely avoid dihydrogen oxide. It’s responsible for many deaths every year. And the FDA doesn’t even require that it be labeled by its proper name.
A shame, I tell ya.
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