12 Beauty & Skin Care Product Hazards That Might Be In Your Home Right Now

Most of us have NO IDEA about what’s in the beauty and skin care product we used this morning. We’re either uninformed or unconcerned with safety and often believe that ‘they’ are watching out for us. Not so! There are hundreds of deadly chemicals that are commonly used and if you check the ingredients label at the drugstore you will find all of the ones listed below – and hundreds more.

A Specious Argument

Recently, someone tried to argue with me on this point. He didn’t succeed because I don’t argue! :-)  But he claimed that the ‘molecules’ in skin care products were too big to penetrate the skin. But think about it … this can’t possibly be true. If water gets on the windshield of your car, it won’t penetrate the glass because glass is so hard. Therefore, except for making the surface dirty, it has no affect on the windshield. If a skin care product couldn’t penetrate your skin because your skin was so ‘hard’ – in other words, immune to the cream, lotion, or whatever – then it would have no effect!

1. Either the beauty or skin care product simply sits on the surface of our body and does nothing at all …
2. Or, it penetrates our skin or hair and affects it …

We can’t have it both ways.

Below are only a dozen of the more common hazardous ingredients, including some famous names that use them. But ask yourself if you want this stuff in your body? And the body of your kids?

NOTE: We have listed some of the current numbers of products containing these nasties. Is this count 100% accurate? No way, because new products appear on the market constantly. A full-time team couldn’t keep up with everything. But these numbers are accurate at the time they were written (the last few months) and are probably on the low side.

ALCOHOLS

Alcohol is a petroleum based fat solvent, so ironically it can dry your skin and hair – the very thing we DON’T want it to do! Another irony – it’s a free radical, yet is often used in antioxidant preparations that ’supposedly’ combat free radicals.

It’s quite toxic to the human body and some of its side effects are: a higher risk of cancer, headache, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, coughing, wheezing, abdominal pain, mental depression, hallucinations, narcosis and even coma. Penetrating your skin is easy for alcohol and in the body it destroys our beneficial intestinal flora, which makes it easier for parasites to take up residence in our body. Many people are highly allergic. It can pass through the brain barrier and cause symptoms of ADD and dyslexia.

Alcohol is widely used not only in cosmetics but also shampoos, shaving products, waterless hand cleaners, mouthwash (25-30%), and in the preparation of bottled water, white sugar, carbonated drinks, and decaf coffee. It’s also widely used in shellac, antifreeze and other such chemicals. It is an industrial "byproduct", which is translated as "waste". This is deadly stuff!

Alcohol has been used in the following product types: hair color and bleaching (1317); facial moisturizer/treatment (638); moisturizer (600); conditioner (586); anti-aging (366); sunscreen spf 15 and above (312); facial cleanser (174); hand cream (124); styling gel/lotion (103); exfoliant/scrub (98). A few products containing alochols are:

* The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Day Cream
* Curel Ultra Healing Moisturizing Lotion
* Clinique Repairwear Intensive Night Cream
* Aveeno Moisturizing Bar with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal
* Weleda Rosemary Conditioner

BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE

This substance is the basis for most "mineral makeups" because it gives a "shimmery" look to the face. Unfortunately, it’s a combination of bismuth and a chlorine compound. Bismuth is a by-product of lead and copper refining which makes it a heavy metal and has been linked to hideous diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It has to be forced into your pores (hence the buffing technique) otherwise it is capable of sliding off the wearer’s face. This means we are FORCING metal fragments into our skin. It’s no surprise that this can, and often does, result in clogged pores or irritated skin. It’s very cheap to make and its manufacturers claim that it’s the "only safe heavy metal". Well, maybe, but when in doubt …

BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE has reported used in the following product types: lipstick (743); eye shadow (666); nail polish (418); lip gloss (298); blush (221); foundation (196); lip liner (181); facial powder (161); other products with spf (146); eye liner (129)

* Revlon Nail Enamel: multiple colors
* Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Hard as Nails, Champaign Frost; Clear; Glazed Sand; Iced Mocha; In The Red; Reaction; Red Hot; Shimmer Lilac; White Whip; Amorous Amethyst
* Bare Escentuals Blush: multiple colors
* Colorescience Foundations & Bronzers: many colors
* Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Eyeliner
* Avon Ultra Luxury Eye Liner

DIOXANE

Dioxane is "lethal" to smaller mammals so we must seriously question its safety for humans yet it’s been found in such familiar names as Hello Kitty Bubble Bath, Huggies Baby Wash, Johnson’s Baby Wash, Scooby-Doo Bubble Bath and Sesame Street Bubble Bath, Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo, Olay Complete Body Wash and many skin care products. It is considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a clear-cut animal carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program. It is also on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known or suspected by the state to cause cancer or birth defects. Because it is a contaminant produced during manufacturing, the FDA does not require it to be listed as an ingredient on product labels.

Dioxane is present in a staggering number of products! hair color and bleaching (1940), facial moisturizer/treatment (1801), shampoo (1281), moisturizer (1274),
anti-aging (1116), facial cleanser (1055), sunscreen spf 15 and above (1028), body wash/cleanser (1011), foundation (825), conditioner (756), other products with spf (667), styling gel/lotion (628), mascara (610), exfoliant/scrub (471), lipstick (429), acne treatment (382), around-eye cream (359), antiperspirant/deodorant (305), sunless tanning (277), toothpaste (257), concealer (248), eye shadow (237), mask (234), antiperspirant/deodorant (men’s) (233), hair spray (214), eye liner (211), lip gloss (209), shaving cream (men’s) (174), bubble bath (170), dandruff/scalp treatment (166), hand cream (163), liquid hand soap (161), after shave (160), blush (159), sunscreen below spf 15 (157), lip liner (148), bar soap (136), facial powder (133), skin fading/lightener (130), shaving cream (123), bath oil/salts/soak (123),
styling mousse/foam (121), anti-itch/rash cream (119), body firming lotion (119), tooth whitening (118), toners/astringents (118), other product with spf (116), hair relaxer (102), bronzer/highlighter (100), lip balm (96), makeup remover (93), pain relief (82), nail polish (74), baby soap (70), foot moisturizer (70), baby wipes (63), depilatory (63), fragrance for women (62), after sun product (62), baby shampoo (61), foot odor control (61), redness/rosacea treatment (57), body oil (51), eye makeup remover (50), oil controller (46), oral pain relief (45), anti-fungal treatment (45), lubricant/spermicide (40), fragrance for men (39), mouthwash (38), personal cleansing (36), lip plumper (33), nail treatment (32), body spray (32), baby sunscreen (31), athlete’s foot treatment (31), baby lotion (29), baby bubble bath (28), brow liner (26), scar treatment (26), cuticle treatment (25), hair removal waxes (23), detangler (23), glitter (21), hair-loss treatment (20) .

Amazing, huh?

DISODIUM EDTA

Disodium EDTA is a "penetration enhancer’, meaning it causes alterations in the skin that allow other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin so it’s used as a thickener and penetration enhancer. It alters the skin’s structure, increasing the amount of other chemicals that reach the blood stream. It may cause rashes, allergies, asthma, irritation to mucous membranes, numbness; headache, toxic skin and mucous membrane reactions, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia and electrolyte imbalances. It has also been tied to kidney damage.

Familiar Products Containing Disodium EDTA: 1761 moisturizers, 862 sunscreens, 417 anti aging cleansers, 456 conditioners, 404 hair coloring products, 456 conditioners, 345 shampoos, 301 cleansers, 208 eye creams

* Cellex-C Sun Savvy Kit
* Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer, SPF 30
* Avon LIIV Botanicals Night Moisturizer
* Elizabeth Arden Good Morning Skin Serum
* Estée Lauder Verite (Moisture Relief Creme for Sensitive Skin)
* Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Cream Deep Moisture Creamy Formula

MINERAL OIL

Mineral Oil: is a petroleum-based product. Yes, that black goop that comes up out of the ground is the source of mineral oil. Healthy skin needs oxygen, while it releases carbon dioxide, and mineral oil can prevent this from happening, since it suffocates the pores of the skin and keeps in the perspiration which releases toxins. It’s like putting plastic wrap all over your skin. This ‘toxin release interference’ increases skin problems and may accelerate skin aging because it accelerates the build-up of free radicals. In addition, mineral oil is somewhat "comedogenic’ which means in causes or increases acne. Horrifyingly, baby oil is 100% mineral oil! Why do manufacturer’s use it if it’s so vile? Simply because it is incredibly cheap. It is colorless, odorless and acts as a preservative to extend shelf life to three to five years. [Also look for Paraffin or Petrolatum on labels].

MINERAL OIL has been used in the following product types: moisturizer (459); lip gloss (284); foundation (205); hair color and bleaching (200); facial moisturizer/treatment (199); other products with spf (197); lipstick (178); concealer (165); eye shadow (153); styling gel/lotion (143)

* Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy Original Moisturizing Cream
* Maybelline Wet Shine Diamonds Lipstick, Tawny Twinkle, Spoiled in Rubies, Sparkling Sand, Plum Solitaire, Pink Diamond, Pink Carats, Mauvey Rock, Jewels & Berries, Glowing Glimmer, Gem Crushed Merlot, Brilliant Bronze, Brilliant Bronze
* Dermablend Cover Cream: all colors
* Maybelline 100% Color for Hair: all colors

PARABENS

Parabens: (e.g. Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl and Butyl Paraben) are used as preservatives to inhibit microbial growth and extend shelf life of products. They are widely used in the cosmetic industry, especially in moisturizers. Methyl paraben may degrade releasing methanol, a potentially toxic chemical. Studies implicate their connection with cancer. They have hormone-disrupting qualities – mimicking estrogen – and interfere with the body’s endocrine system. They have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. They are effective preservatives because they inhibit enzyme activity – but the human body desperately needs enzymes. Research has shown that they may affect the future fertility of male babies. According to Professor John Sumpter of Brunel University, England, an expert on estrogenic chemicals in the environment, the use of these preservatives might just "play a
role in falling sperm counts and rising breast cancer rates."

There are so many forms of parabens, that the list of products that use these vile things is staggering! For instance: Methylparabens = 16,462; Propylparaben = 14,716; Butylparaben = 5,101, Ethylparaben = 4,230.

* Reviva DMAE Firming Fluid
* Zia Natural Skincare Ultimate Age-Defying Solar Care Face
* Curel Therapeutic Moisturizing Lotion + most of their moisturizers
* L’Oréal Longitude Lash Out Mascara Teddy Bear Brush Black Brown
* Almay One Coat Mascara

PEGs

PEGs are used to thicken skin care products – yet they’re so strong that they’re often used in spray-on oven cleaners! PEGs can destroy the natural functioning of your skin which helps keep it soft and moist. PEG products are likely to be contaminated with 1,4-di-oxane, a carcinogen and research has clearly revealed that dioxane easily penetrates the skin.

There are dozens of varieties of PEG-products, using different numbers or terms such as Propylene Glycol [ A cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. In skin and hair products, propylene glycol works as a humectant, which is a substance that retains the moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. The MSDS warn users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.]

Many of these are used in internal products like toothpaste and pain relievers.

* Baby Orajel Teething Swabs
* Walgreens Baby Teething Pain Medicine Gel
* DermaSurface Perfect Balance Amino Acid Face Wash
* Oxy Balance Deep Pore Cleansing Pads, Gentle
* Sensodyne Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth, Extra Whitening
* Earth Science Cellagen Wrinkle Treatment

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: {Other names = sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate} Animals exposed to SLS experience eye damage, central nervous system depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation, and even death. SLS may also damage the skin’s immune system by causing layers to separate and inflame. SLS is known to cause skin inflammation, and may mimic estrogens, cause hair loss, and damage teeth. It is a mutagen and a potential carcinogen. SLS can be stored in the liver, heart, lungs and brain. It can also damage the eyes, particularly in children. It is also implicated in depression, diarrhea and many other ailments and when used in combination with other chemicals, can form nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogen. Important note: It is frequently disguised
in cosmetics and skin care products by stating "comes from coconut", which certainly sounds innocent enough – but isn’t.

* Tom’s of Maine Natural Toothpaste + shampoos
* Avon Advance Techniques Ddaily Results 2-IN-1 Shampoo & Conditioner
* Clairol Nice ‘N Easy Root Touchup
* Wella Color Charm Demi-Permanent Haircolor, many shades
* Kinerase Gentle Daily Cleanser
* Clearasil Icewash Acne Gel Cleanser

SYNTHETIC COLORS

Synthetic Colors: {FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number, e.g. FD&C Red No. 6 or D&C Green No. 6.} These are made from petroleum or coal tar. The molecular structure of these products are so small that they can pass through the brain barrier. Many synthetic colors can be carcinogenic and may cause potentially severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, headaches, nausea, fatigue, nervousness and lack of concentration. According to A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, “Many (pigments) cause skin sensitivity and irritation…and absorption (of certain colors) can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and death.”

Vast numbers of products use synthetic colors and it’s hard to know the numbers with any accuracy since there are so many different names. For instance: "Fragrance" = 18,612 products; FD&C BLUE 1 = 2,411 products; FD&C BLUE 1 ALUMINUM LAKE = 3,059 products; FD&C YELLOW 5 ALUMINUM LAKE = 3,002 products; FD&C YELLOW 5 = 2,054 products; FD&C YELLOW 6 LAKE = 1,058 products; FD&C YELLOW 6 = 765 products; D&C YELLOW 10 = 512 products … you get the idea.

* Liz Claiborne, Spark Seduction for Women Eau de Parfum
* White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor, Parfum
* Calvin Klein Escape for Men Eau de Toilette Spray
* Mary Kay Satin Hands Cream
* Jergens All-Purpose Face Cream
* Clinique Moisture Surge Extra
* Olay Original Active Hydrating Cream + many other of their creams

SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES

Synthetic Fragrances: Most Products will simply say "Fragrance" which means any combination of the cheapest 200 synthetic, toxic ingredients the company can find. Causes headaches, dizziness, rashes, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritations etc. In fact, fragrances are the number one common cause of allergies and irritant reactions to cosmetics. The FDA does not require manufacturers to list the ingredients of a "fragrance." When you see the word "fragrance," it can have as many as 4,000 separate chemicals. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors has shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope and other behavioral changes.”

Synthetic fragrance has reported used in the following product types: hair color and bleaching (1998); moisturizer (1525); shampoo (1342); conditioner (1282); facial moisturizer/treatment (1195); body wash/cleanser (1061); facial cleanser (897); styling gel/lotion (882); fragrance for women (764); sunscreen spf 15 and above (723).

* Mary Kay Domain Cologne
* Kiss My Face Bar Soap, Olive & Honey
* Givenchy Amarige D’Amour Eau deToilette
* Ralph Lauren Romance Silver for Men Eau de Toilette
* Mennen Speed Stick Deodorant
* Aveda Hair Detoxifier

TALC

Talc is a fine powder and is chemically similar to asbestos. It is found in baby powders and in cosmetics and skin care products. Use of talc-containing feminine powders and sprays in the genital area has been linked to an increased ovarian and testicular cancer risk Not only is it a possible carcinogen, but inhaling it may cause acute respiratory distress and result in death. We have included talc because of the baby product angle. What is more common for babies than talcum powder and baby oil (made with mineral oil – see above)?

* Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup Oil-Free, Buff Blush, SPF 20
* L’Oréal Bare Naturale Loose Powder, SPF 19 (All Shades)
* Physicians Formula Le Velvet Film Makeup
* CoverGirl Smoothers All Day Hydrating Make-Up
* Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Deep Glow
* Bonne Bell Glimmer Bronze Luminous Loose Powder

 

TRICLOSAN

Triclosan is a synthetic antibacterial ingredient with a chemical structure similar to that of Agent Orange and it behaves the same way: The Environmental Protection Agency registers it as a pesticide, highly toxic to any living organism. It is also classified as a chlorophenol, a chemical class suspected of causing cancer in humans. It is a hormone disrupter, which means it affects sexual function and fertility and may foster birth defects. Its manufacturing process produces Dioxin, a powerful hormone-disrupting chemical with toxic effects in quantities as small as parts per trillion (that’s one drop in 300 Olympic-size swimming pools). Triclosan stores away in body fat and can accumulate to toxic levels in the liver, kidneys and lungs. It can cause paralysis, suppression of the immune system, brain hemorrhages, and heart problems. Fortunately, it’s not as common as some of the other products above, but you would be amazed at some of the familiar names that use this stuff:

* Old Spice Classic Deodorant Stick
* Clearasil Ultra Daily Face Wash
* Revlon ColorStay Overtime Lip Color Glossy Topcoat
* Yardley Of London Antibacterial Liquid Soap
* Gillette Complete Skincare Cleansing Bar

Remember: this is only a tiny fraction of the deadly chemicals in your beauty and skin care products. There are hundreds more and there is only one way to protect yourself: MAKE YOUR OWN BEAUTY PRODUCTS!