The Baddies

If you decide to take care with your skin care products, below are some general guidelines to help you get started and a list of the worst offenders.

 

• Read the labels. Easier said than done since they are often in microscopic fonts, but this is the safest approach, since the advertising on the bottle is likely misleading and designed to encourage you to purchase.
• Products with ingredients you can pronounce are generally more likely to be better for you.
• The fewer ingredients the better.
• Find a few companies you can trust and stick with them.

 The following list of “baddies” includes some of the most harmful ingredients commonly found in skin care products. We were hoping it would be a short list…unfortunately there are quite a few ingredients to watch out for.

Isopropyl Alcohol—can cause headaches, flushed skin, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, etc. It is a petroleum-derived substance also used in anti-freeze and shellac.

 

Antibacterials—most people have read the research about overuse. A common synthetic antibacterial is triclosan. Washing with regular soap and warm water gets the same results without the harmful side effects.

 

Mineral Oil—a petroleum product, mineral oil coats the skin just like plastic and doesn’t allow it to breath or absorb moisture. Petroleum distillates are possible human carcinogens.

 

Propylene Glycol (PG, PEG)—found in many make-ups, hair products, lotions, deodorants, this is the same wetting agent/solvent used in anti-freeze and is potentially carcinogenic.

 

Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantion—release formaldehyde into your body which can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions, and damage the immune system among other problems.

 

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)—90% of all shampoo and products that foam contain one or both of these ingredients that are used as detergents and surfactants. Both are potential carcenogens and two of the most potentially hazardous chemicals in skin care products.

 

Diethanolamine (DEA), Momoethanolamine (MEA), and Triethanolamine (TEA)—these hormone disrupting chemicals are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines.

 

1, 2-Dioxane in Surfactants/Detergents—a contaminant found in surfactants and detergents that is particularly damaging to the respiratory system. It is found in many shampoos, hair conditioners, lotions and creams.

 

Parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-)—commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics, these chemicals break down in the body and have negative effects on hormone levels.

 

Nanoparticles—zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are nanoparticles used in sunscreens to make them transparent. They may penetrate the skin and can damage brain cells.

 

Lead and mercury—these brain damaging chemicals may appear in products as naturally occurring contaminants, such as hydrated silica. Found in some toothpaste and men’s hair dye.

 

P-Phenylenediamine—can damage the nervous system, cause lung irritation and/or severe allergies. Commonly found in hair dyes.

Hydroquinone—is neurotoxic and allergenic. It is found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers.

 

Talc—is a mineral commonly found in talcum powder. Inhaling it can be a lung irritant and using it on the skin increases the risk of ovarian and lung cancer.

 

Lanolin—on its own lanolin is perfectly safe, but in cosmetics it can be contaminated with carcinogenic pesticides such as DDT.

 

Chlorine—exposure can contribute to asthma, hay fever, circulatory problems, irritation of the lungs, skin, mouth, nose, and eyes.

 

Fragrance—the catch-all term on labels may mask phthalates which cause obesity and interfere with the reproductive system. Most products add fragrance, but many don’t provide specific information about the chemicals involved.

 

Aluminum Salts—found in antiperspirants. They are neurotoxins and potential carcinogens.

 

Chemical Sunscreens—absorb UV rays before they cause damage to the skin (as opposed to physical blockers, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which literally deflect harmful rays.) They don’t protect against UVA rays and may disrupt hormones.

 

Coal Tar—found in dandruff and psoriasis shampoos, as well as many other cosmetics. Known carcinogen and may cause rashes.

 

Formaldehyde—used as a preservative and germicide in cosmetics. It’s associated with several kinds of cancer and can cause immune-system issues.

 

Petroleum Distillates/Solvents—clear liquids used to dissolve other substances commonly found in mascara and products. Contributes to undifferentiated connective tissue disease, cancer, chemical pneumonia, and lung disease.

 

Phthalates—commonly used in perfume and fragrances. Considered a culprit for hormonal acne, obesity, and reproductive defects.

 

Toluene—often used in nail products. Linked to brittle nails, nausea, miscarriage, and cancer.

 

For more information, details about the various ways these ingredients may show up on labels, or specifics about their effects, check out these resources.

 

No More Dirty Looks, Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt. De Capo Press, Cambridge, MA, 2010.

 

The Environmental Working Group: http://www.ewg.org