I was having a conversation recently with someone I work with. She simply refused to believe that any product on the shelf at the grocery store could possibly be dangerous to our health. "Companies are required to follow rules, aren't they? I mean, the government wouldn't allow harmful products to be sold." Really? So, before I simply assume that EVERYONE knows there are ingredients to avoid, I'll review a few of the usual suspects:
Parabens: Used as preservatives to extend the shelf life of a product. It can cause allergies and skin reactions. They have also been linked to cancer. (Look for the word "paraben" or any other word with the suffix "-paraben", including methylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben, etc.)
Petrolatum: Just as the name suggests (petrol)...it is derived from crude oil (best to avoid petroleum and mineral oil, as well, since they come from the same source).
Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA): Used as foaming agents, but can cause allergic reactions and eye irritation. DEA and TEA are toxic if absorbed into the body over an extended period of time, and have been associated with cancer in lab animals.
Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea: Often used as preservatives, these chemicals release formaldehyde, which can be toxic. (Look also for DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15.)
Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate: This is a harsh detergent used in many shampoos. It is derived from petroleum and can cause eye irritation, dry scalp, skin rashes and other allergic reactions.
Propylene Glycol: Even though this can be a natural ingredient, it's usually made from synthetic chemicals. It can cause skin problems. Note its related chemicals labeled PEG and PPG.
PVP/VA Copolymer: A petroleum-derived chemical often used in hair styling products and some cosmetics. It is considered toxic; if it is inhaled, it can damage the lungs.
Stearalkonium Chloride: This toxic chemical was designed for use as a fabric softener, but some oompanies use it in hair conditioners and lotions because it is so inexpensive.
FD&C or D&C, followed by a number: These are synthetic colors that make products look pretty but have been linked to cancer.
Synthetic Fragrances: These can cause headaches, dizziness, rashes, and respiratory problems. Look for the word "phthalates".
Phenyledediamine (PPD:) This chemical is found in all permanent hair dyes, especially darker shades, and has been linked to bladder cancer in long-term frequent users. PPD is also called P-diaminobenzene.
Talc: This powder may be contaminated with carcinogenic asbestos and is used throughout the beauty industry despite unsuccessful attempts by the US Department of Health's National Institutes of Health (NIH) to have all talc labeled as a probable carcinogen.
Toluene: This is an ingredient used in nail polishes that can cause damage to the nervous system, liver and kidneys with long term exposure.
Triclosan: The new beauty target...This is the most common active ingredient in "antibacterial" liquid hand soaps, and is also found in toothpastes, deodorants, face and body washes, acne treatments, dishwashing detergent, plastics and fabrics. Triclosan builds up in fat and can amass in the bodies of people and animals over time. It has been associated with thyroid dysfunction and may have hormone-disrupting effects. It can also react with chlorine in tap water to form chloroform.
So this definitely creates a problem for me. I went ahead and looked at several of my "so called" natural and organic products and found a few of these in them. Dammit! So, as I search for new options, I will share what I find. Good lord this is going to start to get complicated. I think the first 6 months were the easy ones. Little changes that came easy because they were so necessary and simple. Now, even though the changes will remain small, they are going to take a lot more research.
I was considering trying out Kiss My Face products (I already use the germsAside hand soap), but, it seems they have been marked as one of those companies that tout a perfectly natural product buy include some of these dreaded ingredients. I'll put some work into it and pass on my knowledge. I'm down to the last few days of my skin care regimen and have little time to waste finding a replacement (preferably local - hmmm...maybe it's time to just start making my own?)
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