ecobites.com
formerly ecostudio.com.au

Our skin is the largest organ of our body. What you apply really does matter as up to 60% of any substance will be absorbed.The cosmetic and personal-care product industry is doing it great harm with a number of common ingredients that are cancer-causing agents, or just plain dangerous, say an increasing number of researchers, group activists, and even the government itself. A list of ingredients (nasties) to avoid in cosmetics...

Potentially harmful ingredients such as petrochemicals, mineral oils, sodium lauryl sulphate and propolene glycol. According to Skin Deep, an Environmental Working Group in the US, many of the synthetic ingredients used (in the US and Australia) in everyday skin care are potentially toxic to humans.

Transdermal medicine has taught us that what we put on our skin goes into our bloodstream, so many people are trying to be more thoughtful about their skin care and cosmetics. But trying to understand ingredient labels can be frustrating.

The Nasties:

Triclosan
Alcohol (Isopropyl)
DEA (diethanolamine)
MEA(monoetha-nolamine)
TEA (triethanolamine) FC&C Color
Pigments
Fragrance
Mineral Oil
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Propylene Glycol (PG)
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Urea (Imidazolidinyl)
DMDM Hydantoin 

1. Phthalates – Phthalates are a group of synthetic chemical compounds that are mainly used as softening agents. A joint Swedish-Danish research team found a very strong link between allergies in children and phthalates. Studies have reported that phthalates may mimic the female hormone oestrogen and cause "feminisation" of baby boys, lowering sperm count.

2. Parabens - Parabens are synthetic compounds used as a preservative in most beauty products. You can find them listed as methylparabens, propylparabens, butylparabens, and ethylparabens. Parabens cause many allergic reactions and skin rashes. They have also been found in breast cancer tissue.

3. Talc – Talc has asbestos in it. Asbestos is another dangerous carcinagen.

4. Synthetic Dyes – Synthetic colors are a byproducts of the petroleum industry. The molecular structure of these products are so small that they can pass through the brain barrier. This can manifest itself as turning numbers backwards when writing or reading, peeling skin, acne, or ADD symtoms. Many people have allergies to artificial colorings, especially red 40. Affusion has no synthetic ingredientsin any or our products!

5. Petroleum-Based Wax – petroleum by-products can pass through the brain barrier and cause ADD/dyslexia symptoms.

6. Diethanolamine – DEA is used as a skin softener in personal care products. It is a skin irritant and can be carcinogenic when combined with other ingredients. Also avoid TEA, and MEA.

7. Bismuth Oxychloride - Bismuth is put in mineral cosmetics because it gives a sheen to the face, is soft to the touch, and is extremely inexpensive. A by product of lead and copper refining, bismuth oxychloride is a heavy metal. Heavy metals can lead to Alzheimers and Parkinson’s Disease.

8. Sodium Laurel Sulfate – SLS is used to enhance the foaming action of a product. It is a skin irritant and is easily absorbed into the heart, liver, brain, and eyes, which can cause long term effects. It has been linked to cataracts in adults and inhibiting proper developement of children’s eyes.

9. Sodium Laureth Sulfate – When reacting with other ingredients, it can be carcinagenic and rapidly absorbs into the body. It is a skin irritant and may cause hair loss. Also avoid SLES

10. Para-Dioxane (also known as 1,4-dioxane) - Carcinogen. Banned in Europe, but estimated to be in one quarter of all personal-care products sold in the United States. Para-dioxane can form as a by-product of manufacturing

   
Our skin is  the largest organ of our body, and the cosmetic and personal-care product industry is doing it great harm with a number of common ingredients that are cancer-causing agents, or just plain dangerous, say an increasing number of researchers, group activists, and even the government itself. Because the skin is permeable, such ingredients not only harm the skin itself, but can penetrate to cause internal damage as well.

Every day we use products that we think are safe. We assume the product has been tested and any dangerous ingredients labeled. The truth is, products are not always safe and manufacturers don’t have to tell us so.... An FDA document posted on the agency’s World Wide Web home page says, “a cosmetic manufacturer may use an ingredient or raw material and market the final product without government approval.”.

In 1938, the FDA granted self-regulation to the cosmetics industry — allowing the industry to determine what to put into products, regardless of what tests show. Most of the 25,000 chemicals used have not been tested for long-term toxic and systemic effects (affecting the entire body system). Many are outright toxins or contain toxic by products.

According to Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, “....Even if the FDA suspects that serious adverse health effects are caused by a cosmetic product, they can’t require the manufacturer to provide test data to prove the product safety.”

During our daily personal care regime, most of us have exposed ourselves to more than 200 different chemicals. A recent surge of media attention reveals new concern about detrimental ingredients that are affecting more than our physical health.

An article in a recent USA Weekend says: “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is increasing research of synthetic chemicals (pesticides, plastics, and industrial mutants) that may be juggling your hormone signals. After reviewing nearly 300 studies, the EPA concluded that ingredients in shampoos, dyes, and other everyday products....may be playing havoc with hormones that control reproduction and development.”.

How about so-called “natural” products? Since there are no regulations about what is “natural”, the term is often abused, and many such alternative have the same dangerous ingredients as the products they claim to replace. Consumers must be educated and aware. Of the hundreds of toxic chemicals used in personal and skin care products, we have chosen some of the “worst offenders” to describe. If you learn about even these few and start reading ingredient labels, you can avoid some of the most serious carcinogenic and hormone-disrupting chemicals. Please take action now.

The health and well-being of your family depends on it!

---

Share this article with your favourite Social Website and help promote Ecobites