EVERY WOMAN MUST READ! VERY IMPORTANT LIST OF TOXINS IN COSMETICS TO BEWARE OF!
Ciao bellas, Jasmine Simone here! So I just wanted to give you this last bit of foundation before I start getting heavily into my product reviews. I just wanted to lay a little foundation so you can understand my point of view when I determine what products are keepers for me and which ones I don't think meet my beauty needs and lifestyle. There are many products that seem to work well, that I may choose not to use because of what it's made up of.
In my earlier post on Mineral Oil, I told you there more ingredients that I try to avoid when at all possible. Keep in mind that because they are so inexpensive, they are very commonplace; I have to work pretty hard to avoid them and often have to spend a little extra money to get the natural version (not all the time though and I will suss out those gems for you, hehe!)
While each Top 10 list may slightly vary from expert to expert, the following ingredients are the ones that I see on virtually every list in my research giving the general consensus that these are especially risky.
1) Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Petroleum - You know this dirty bird. The by-product of crude oil, this product is very damaging to the skin and when absorbed, forms a layer that blocks out oxygen and can't be broken down by our systems. It has been shown to cause blood and skin cancer in animals.
2) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) - Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and 90 percent of personal-care products that foam. Animals exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation, mutagenic effects (tumors) and death. SLS may also damage skin's immune system by causing layers to separate and age.
Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl, Isobutyl) - This synthetic ingredient is linked to breast and ovarian cancer by interrupting the endocrine system and unbalancing our hormones with synthetic estrogen (called xenoestrgens). It is used in deodorants. Take caution - sometimes they are not labeled as parabens.
Cocoamide Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), & Monoethanolamine (MEA) - Usually used as an emulsifier to create a foaming or sudsing reaction in products. This is easily absorbed throught the skin and can quickly accumulates in body organs, even the brain. Repeated use can result in major increases of liver and kidney cancer.
Dioxin - Often contained in antibacterial ingredients like triclosan, emulsifiers, PEGs and ethoxylated cleansers like Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Dioxin causes cancer, reduced immunity, nervous system disorders, miscarriages and birth deformity. This is one of the scariest ones because it is not listed as an ingredient, it is just one toxic element used to make up some of the synthetic ingredients listed above or a by-product of such.
Propylene Glycol (PG) & Butylene Glycol - This is as an ingredient that has been classified as an severe irritant and is considered so toxic by the EPA that protective clothing is required to handle it and must be buried when disposed of. Yuck! PG is used in industrial anti-freeze and the main ingredient in brake and hydraulic fluid. Avoid anything with PEG or PPG like the plague.
Polyethelyne glycol aka PEG-100 Stearate - Made by ethoxylating Propylene Glycol which in turn releases dangerous levels of Dioxin as a by-product. PEGS are commonly found in personal care, baby care, and sunscreen products. It is an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to cancer in animals. Disturbing!!
Benzoyl Peroxide - BP is addressed by Material Safety and Data Sheet (a database of organic and inorganic chemicals, also known as MSDS) as, and I quote, "May act as a mutagen, produces DNA damage in human and other mammalian cells in some concentrations. ...Toxic by inhalation". Possible tumor promoter. Whoa! This is used frequently in products for acne so my oily and combo skin beauties beware!
DMDM Hydantoin & Urea - used as a preservative, it often releases formaldehyde which may cause skin irritation, joint pain, cancer, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep. Formaldehyde on it's own has been linked to leukemia, pancreatic, skin, lung, and liver cancer and it's banned in Canada and Japan.
Phthalates - Commonly found in many products and is usually not listed on labels, this product changes into a xenoestrogen which of course means it is linked to breast and/or ovarian cancers. Other health effects include damage to liver/kidneys, birth defects, decreased sperm counts and early breast development in girls and boys.
Unfortunately readers (I hope my boys out there are reading this too as this can certainly apply to your products), I hate to say the list goes on...and on (I debated making it longer - I have my personal qualms with aluminum, synthetic, fragrance and FD&C color dyes to name a few more.) Currently, these carcinogenic elements and many more are approved by the FDA for use in grooming products. I've been doing extensive personal research over the years and have learned to look out for products I can't pronounce. 
!
The Material Safety Data sheet can be accessed at where you can look up the details on any organic or inorganic chemical. I like using the Oxford University section because you can search for any chemical by clicking on letter it begins with which made it easiest to navigate in my research. Healthy-Communications.Com armed me with my base of knowledge of the effects of these ingredients. I really enjoy this site, less for the layout and more for the nitty-gritty low-down on each of the chemicals - where it comes from and its effects (make sure to click on the links of the ingredient's name - takes you to the MSDS fact sheet on that chemical.)
If you want a more commercial avenue to check out, check out The Safe Shoppers Bible written by Samuel Epstein, MD & David Steinman. It is a very informative book that gives detailed info on these ingredients and many more how to best navigate when shopping at your favorite neighborhood stores. And everyday, people are sharing their and discoveries and experiences with synthetic ingredients. Susan Jeske-a former beauty queen worked in the cosmetic industry for 20 years, trying every product imaginable until she became severely ill. When she started using only all natural or organic products at the advice of her holistic doctor, she was on the road to recovery in 2 weeks! She is now on a mission to share what she has learned in her research of these products and many more...if you get a chance, check her out!
No one will look out for ourselves and our loved ones better than we do. Yes, I am guilty at times of using products that may contain one or two synthetic ingredients I've seen on the toxic list....it's pretty hard to avoid altogether. I don't think I'll ever be able to denounce my beautiful, high-pigment neon eyeshadows that MAAAAY contain a few of these ingredients (eep!), but I don't wear them very often (avg. once a week). But I make sure to share what I know with the people that cross my path who are interested so that they have the chance to make to make that choice for themselves. The GREAT news is that it made me begin exploring the all-natural makeup option and let me tell you, there are some pretty impressive brands out there! My organic blushes and lip glosses have become my favorite makeup staples and I do notice the difference in my skin. If avoiding companies that use these poisonous chemicals became a collective movement, the public could create awareness and prevent their future use because it would hit these companies where it matters most - their pocket books. And we all know that gets the fastest results, ha!
My mottos is - avoid the Top 10+ list entirely in products I use daily if at all possible (i.e toothpaste, body wash, lotion) and look for products with ingredients I recognize. I've found that some of my favorite and most effective products are organic and contain 10 ingredients or less. Remember - if it's edible, it's credible!
Have any of you discovered bad reactions / allergies to certain synthetic ingredients? Any advice of what to use and/or stay away from? Don't forget every Tuesday Sweetassgal spotlights a safe and green product!
- meg's blog
- Login or register to post comments
-
Reviews
Jasmine this information is music to my ears and skin also. I am very sensitive. Sometimes, it is hard to pin point what causes a reaction or allergy. Information is power! You have really helped all of become more informed shoppers.
I love Aquafor . . . sadly, it has mineral oil in it. Can anyone suggest a better alternative for chapped lips? Thanks again for the great read!
Hao9703, have you tried John Masters Organics Lip Calm? It's the best lip balm I've ever used and it's all natural.
http://www.beautifullyglossy.blogspot.com
REALLY informative -- thank you so much, Jasmine! Also fairly scary, but I'm glad to know I can be even more informed from now on.
I've had reactions to makeups and skin products before but I've never been able to pinpoint exactly what causes me to react. But you're so right Jasmine, there are tons of toxic chemicals out there in our beauty products, and just because they work it doesn't mean we should be using them. Just like reading the ingredient lists on foods to avoid harmful chemicals, we should do the same for our skin! There are plenty of safe, natural alternatives out there...takes some hunting, but thankfully sites such as this one make it easy! Thanks for all the great information, I hope everyone will take heed of the warnings and read labels a little more carefully!hao9703, Burt's Bees works great for chapped lips and doesn't contain any mineral oil or other harmful chemicals for that matter.
Britt♥
"There are plenty of safe, natural alternatives out there" Except not really.. not yet (though it is getting better) they're not all too accessible for so many people, and the few that are available may not be effective or affordable for them.
It sucks, for a lack of better words, that the good stuff isn't as common or more expensive (yes, much like food) but consumer demand is what is important and can change things, making options more accessible and that is what I think we should really be talking about.
If we approach it that way, we won't alienate consumers who are turned off by scare-tactics and who's options are limited to the products containing the ingredients that are proven to be bad, as well as the ingredients that are suspected to be but not yet proven (I need facts and statics and proof, myself not words like "can" and "may".) to be bad.
http://ediblelove.wordpress.com/
dang, i have to throw out everything i own, according to this list. im going to have to used carol's daughter and other all natural brands exclusively. not sure what to do about my acne products. my meds really are working.
http://www.youtube.com/ashleya1002
bleah I never check label or think about what I put on my face/body, but I JUST started using African black soap and moisturizing with unrefined shea butter based on recommendations from a mineral makeup forum, and I think I'm ready to make the switch permanently. The price is ridiculously cheap and the performance of these products is amazing. I can't give up on anti-perspirant though. I'd have no friends!
Try Bubble & Bee (bubbleandbee.com) for deodorant. Their Geranium Pit Putty smells amazing, is totally natural & organic, and it really works! I LOVE the stuff.
http://www.rubysbeauty.com
Thanks for the recommendation! I'm going to check these guys out!!
95% of my makeup is mineral, so it's pretty much good, but it's the remover that gives me worries. It's full of PG and such. I've just got to find a better replacement. I've officially banned mineral oil and SLS from my life :)Ah... I just checked and my HG Mint Julep Mask has PG :(((
I stopped using shampoo w/ sodium laureth sulfate in it, I use Pureology, enjoy, Euforia etc.. but have stuck w/ Puerology essential repair. When I tried Redken bc several folks told me how good it was, my scalp itched. I had not used SLS on my scalp for 2 yrs, my head got so itchy i thought it was going to bleed. I have tried antiperspirant-deodorant w/out aluminum, not a pretty site, I mean smell. Adidas has a anti perspirant - deodorant w/ no aluminum, it uses cotton technology instead. I have to reapply but it works really well.
I don't panic about using a product with any of those chemicals in it. Except for mineral oil; I can feel it closing off my skin whenever I use a product with it - yuck! But I do find it worrying that there are sooo many chemicals in sooo many products that we use daily. You never know what the consequences of a lifetime of using and combining these chemicals could be. Or maybe that's why cancer is on the rise. Who knows? It's all speculation and no evidence. But I do think it's better to use products with fewer chemicals and the closer to nature the better. I know the argument "poison ivy is natural and it's bad for you!" but I also think chemicals can be bad too. >>For that reason, I'm trying to go greener in my products. I've got Juice Beauty gel cleanser, moisturizer and a JB peel, an Organic Apoteke detox mask and Juice Organics cleanser. My face seems less irritable. The other day I did the JB sensitive peel and followed it up with the OA mask then put on JB moisturizer. My pores (yes, my moon craters) were smaller and I was glowing like a firefly. Which never happens. Color me amazed. >>I can personally attest to the benefits I've had since dumping SLS and SLES. My hair has really changed since I started using Jessicurl again (it has no SLS or SLES) - it's so much more moisturized at the ends and it stays that way throughout the day instead of getting crunchy. >>Good job Jasmine!
Thanks for this list! It's a shame that we, the consumer, have to be responsible for knowing and avoiding potentially dangerous ingredients in our products. These things really need to be regulated better, it's awful the things people will market to make a buck.
Hi Jasmine - Thanks for a very informative article. I can see how much research you've done! I'm going to start checking my labels more closely and try to buy more natural products. I have been trying to avoid parabens and brands that do animal testing - but I hadn't really been as aware of all the other things to look out for.Thanks!
Carole
Great article! I've been making the switch to natural products for a few years now. Sephora has a great selection of natural products. Gorgeously Green is a great book for anyone who wants to live a healthier/cleaner life, and it even has a beauty section.
i pretty much only use natural products whenever it's possible.. but i'm a sucker for stila, and i really want to finish my 120 palette... otherwise when i'm buying either skincare or make up i always go for the natural ingredients :)
My new Ebay Store: cossiepieMy blog: http://lazyscorner.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the breakdown. Really helpful. And scary, all at the same time. Though I'm more careful when it comes to products that don't wash away than products that do. My biggest problem is finding a good deodorant that works under thick winter coats and sweaters, that doesn't contain all of those harmful ingredients, and don't leave spots that are hard to remove.
bubbleandbee.com I'm not sure if they ship internationally, but I use their geranium lime pit putty, it's all natural/organic and works! It smells REALLY good too.
http://www.rubysbeauty.com
a good resource: http://thebeautybrains.com
http://ediblelove.wordpress.com/
Thank you Melilala :) the website is informative!!!!!
Awesome review! This is very helpful. I think I've had allergies to cosmetics too but as silly as I was, I still religiously apply them... it's the possible reason why I keep breaking out like hell even I have visited a dermatologist for almost a year now...I think I have to throw away my vaseline as well! I will invest more on natural products like EDM from now on!!! Thank you for arousing my awareness on the toxins issue in cosmetics!!! :)
Thank God articles like this exist! I've stayed away from mineral oil in my hair for a year and it helps now that I use real natural oils instead!
I work in a Spa and we have people with skin concerns and allergies talking to us daily. All products we use are free of chemicals and we sell mineral make-up to top off our facials. My rule of thumb is to read labels all the time and not look at the price as a first thing.Unfortunately lots of women are still using products that are a hazard for them and can cause allergic reactions in an otherwise healthy person. Lots of companies that publicly support the Cancer Research are often the biggest offenders when it comes to the chemicals in their own products. Isn't that "interesting"?
aghhh i just put BP on my skin! But it really helps my zits... oh well.Actually, I've been aware of some of these for a while and have used products that are from the healthfood store and online places like gardenofwisdom to try and avoid these. It is hard though and i mostly think ach it doesnt make me react. In fact some of the natural stuff seems to make me react more, like the lavender spray i got.. i went bright red! and its just a lavender hydrosol no added ingredients. I use this website often to check up on products:www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
makeup makeup makeup!!!!!!!
I second the cosmeticsdatabase.com! You can type in the name of a beauty product and it will give you a rating of how dangerous it is, and what harmful chemicals are in it. I have been a lot more aware lately of what I'm using on my body. I don't use anything but natural/organic deodorants (Bubble & Bee is amazing), and I'm trying to be a lot more careful about products that I know are soaking into my skin or being absorbed (like lotions & especially lip products). About a month ago I literally threw away almost my entire lip gloss/lip stick collection. It was a very sad day because I had so much good stuff, but when I looked at all the chemicles in there, almost all of them had parabens, which really freaked me out. I'm also going to be looking for a healthier alternative to my current body lotion. I'm thinking St. Ives might be ok. I'm sure there are still bad things in that also, but at least no parabens. The sad thing is, most companies do not care about people's health at all, they are just wanting to make more money, and the best way to do that is by using cheap, easily accessible ingredients, which unfortunately, are the dangerous ones. If they'd just invest a little of their billions of dollars into research and using healthier ingredients, I think it would make a big difference. I've also recently been introduced to the wonders of iherb.com, which seems to be selling mostly natural/organic type products, and they aren't very expensive! If you go to retailmenot.com and type in iherb, you will come up with coupons for $5 off your order, which is very helpful too. :)
http://www.rubysbeauty.com
Great article! I have really sensitive skin so I have to be careful about what products I try. I have found that face products with silicone will break me out horribly. So, alot of foundations/primer/etc are out of the question for me. Mineral makeup really transformed my skin and was the start of me looking into more natural products. You are so right, hao9703, information is power!!!
Informative article, Jasmine. It is tough to avoid some of these ingredients, but it's good to be knowledgeable about what things to look out for & to try to avoid most of them if possible. I do try to remember to use the cosmeticsdatabase (as well as makeupalley) to check out products that I am interested in before I purchase... just so that I am a more informed shopper & have some of the reviews/info to keep in mind.
I am one of those lucky souls in the DC area and having lived in Chicago for (a miserable) 2 years, 1 week and 1 day, I assure this is some serious snow out there! So I have time to do some reading on the very informative sites that have been posted here today. Thanks ladies to all of you who took the time to provide us with this information.
Thank you so much ! I had no idea about this.
Wow, so much info in this post! I absolutely hate thinking about what kinds of things go into products - it scares me! Unfortunately, far too many of the products I use contain "junk" like listed above. I really, really love your philosophy about your "top 10". I think I may have to start living by the philosophy too :)
Thank you for this article! I love this site but always worry what chemicals are behind most of the wonder products reviewed here. I love sweetassgal for always addressing healthier alternatives. I read "The Truth About Beauty" by Kat James (great great book) and have had a whole new perspective on my beauty routines. The best tip was buy a water filter for your shower. She compared showering without one is like showering in a chlorinated swimming pool. Yuk! That tip alone brought me shinier, healthier hair and softer skin. If you go to her site; informedbeauty.com you can save 20% on one.
"The best tip was buy a water filter for your shower. She compared showering without one is like showering in a chlorinated swimming pool."While I agree that shower filters are great, depending on where you live (water varies in hardness and chlorine, etc) but suggesting it is like a chlorinated pool is not only a flat out lie, but it is one of the scare tactics I previously mentioned. If it actually was like showering in a chlorinated pool your hair would've been destroyed--completely--from showering sans filter all those years--same for your skin.That's a pretty irresponsible comment for her to make.
http://ediblelove.wordpress.com/
Thanks for another informative piece. I do try to stay away from parabens and sulfates, but it's tough to avoid all, esp when some natural or organic products are not really that natural. Products with silicone will break me out if I use them too often. But these same products usually make my face seem smoother.
Great article !!! I got rid of everything I owned with chemicals in 4 years ago and I switched to natural products after finding out about all the chemicals in them !!! It made me very mad that we weren't told about all these chemicals and what they can do to us !!!
slowly getting rid of the chemicals here.. bought burts bees body wash last night (the only one at ULTA that did not have sulfates--and i looked at every bottle, even the organic ones)--after i used it this morning my legs did not burn and itch like crazy when i got out of the shower like they normally do-- i use pure coconut oil as a body oil--so nourishing and no parabens-- only bare minerals makeup --also, i discovered NOW deodorant cream which is truly miraculous--- no natural deodorants have ever worked for me (i am a stinky girl)--this product has no aluminum or propylene glycol-- i buy it through iherb.com-- if you use my code NAX051 you will get $5.00 off your first order-- thanx for the article-- we all need to wake up!
I have to be careful, too - always have done on account of sensitive skin and autoimmune disease. And I really wanted to find a good liquid foundation, but ironically a lot of the high-end stuff has got some of the worst of the worst in it.
If you're concerned about parabens, you also need to be concerned about soy - which I've seen pop up in some cosmetics. The non-fermented variety is thyrotoxic to a lot of folks, and does the same thing parabens do to your oestrogen levels.
But I agree - it's a zoo, and as usual - caveat emptor, sadly enough.
wow! this is so helpful.im grabbing my prodtcs now, about to check what has what!benzoyl perozide... but it's sooo helpful...
I love, love, love this article!!!! I am so ashamed to say that i'm not sure of what my products have in them but....I have been staying away from sulfates, silicones, and parabens in my hair items for a while now. I'd love it if you could eventually give us some lists of products that meet these criteria and that you have tried.I'm esp interested in deodorant, mascara and lip gloss---they seem to usually be the worst offenderskudos to you and i can't wait to hear more ;)
Very informative. thankyou. i have always had really sensitive skin and just sort of accepted it. then i started using natural/organic products and found that the sensitivities cleared up. no more red itchy skin. :) i'm not too sure exactly what i'm allergic to (interestingly i'm allergic to lavender as well) but i know that now i'm avoiding chemical laden products, my skin has settled immensely. it's great that it is more widely acknowledged.
this is definitely really really helpful. i'll try to look at the ingredients from now on. i've also recently started to be more into organics so it should help.
Jasmine, invaluable information! Can't thank you enough for your research and this list, I really want to start being aware of the products I use...thank you, thank you, thank you!
thank you for the information. it's so nice to have all these toxins on one page to read about. it amazes me at how much toxins are in our everyday essentials such as shampoo, soap, and deodorants. it's quite scary!
check out my blog
http://sharynramblings.blogspot.com
Omgosh thanks so much for this review. It definately is making me think twice about what I use. I know for sure I battled acne for years with many many bp products. That's a very scary thought now! Thanks for the eye opener!
Wow, this is great information! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Lord help me!!!! Your the one I've been looking for. I've been into the all natural but healthy for you(not everything natural is good for you). I absolutely LOVE this article. I am a Meg's Makeup junkie. Please extend your list the article wasn't long enough for me. I look forward to more. Thanks for all the help.
OHSM!
I'm slowly switching over to natural products but it's so difficult to find products that work.
http://www.beautifullyglossy.blogspot.com
FYI--Dioxin is also a common byproduct, and is found in many readily available pesticides and herbicides!
♥ Lipgloss and Spandex: a blog for gals who look good and run fast
I love learning this kind of stuff....thanx for all the great info.
wow! thank you for this!! iam definatly going to pay a LOT more attention now!!!
Great post, very informative. I am about to go check all my stuff to see if any of this is in there!