What's in YOUR product?
9 Synthetic Ingredients Commonly Found in Personal Care Products
and Why You Should Avoid Them
What
you don't know could be hurting you. If you are using body products
that are widely available in most department, drug, and grocery stores,
chances are they contain at least one-but more likely
several-ingredients that can potentially harm you. Even most of the
so-called "natural" body care products out there contain at least one
synthetic ingredient. What's the big deal? Well, those of us who seek
out natural body care products do so because we are concerned about our
health and about adding additional toxins to our bodies that are
constantly exposed to various environmental pollutants daily. And it is
difficult to find true, 100% completely natural body care products. You
have to be a diligent label reader to filter through everything that is
out there. To help you on this quest, I've assembled a list of synthetic
ingredients commonly found in most body care products, and why they
should be avoided.
1. Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Parabens:
Probably the most common synthetic ingredients found even in so-called
"natural" products are these chemicals broadly referred to as
"parabens". Considered "food grade" preservatives, they are also
unfortunately found in products we consume. They are typically used as
preservatives to inhibit the growth of microbes and to extend the shelf
life of products. Parabens are known to cause various allergic reactions
and skin irritations and rashes, especially with prolonged or repeated
exposure.
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Also known as Sodium laurel
sulfate or SLS. This synthetic substance can be found in almost any kind
of industrial cleaning agent, and is widely used in products like
shampoo, toothpaste, and mouth rinses as a foaming and cleansing agent,
because it produces the foamy, bubbly texture we have come to expect of
these products. It causes irritation on contact with skin, eyes, and
mucous membranes, and can cause allergic reactions. Tests on lab animals
indicate that long-term exposure may cause mutagenic effects. SLS is
rapidly absorbed and retained in the eyes, brain, heart, and liver,
which may result in harmful long-term effects. Some pseudo-natural
products containing this substance try to mislead the consumer with the
phrase "derived from coconut", but don't be fooled.
3. Propylene
Glycol (PG), Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Butylene Glycol (BG), &
Thylene Glycol (EG): PG, PEG, BG and EG are all petroleum derivatives
that act as solvents, surfactants, and wetting agents. They can easily
penetrate the skin, and are noted to inhibit skin cell growth and damage
cell membranes in human tests. In fact, PG penetrates the skin so
quickly that the EPA warns factory workers to avoid skin contact to
prevent brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. Propylene Glycol is what
is used to carry the "active" ingredients in transdermal patches into
the body. Propylene Glycol is used in anti-freeze, brake fluid, de-icer,
paints, floor wax, laundry detergents, and tobacco, in addition to
cosmetics, toothpaste, shampoos, deodorants, lotions, processed food,
and many personal care products. It is known to cause eye, skin, and
gastro-intestinal irritations, allergic reactions and rashes, nausea,
headache, vomiting, and central nervous system depression. It also
causes dry skin, which is ironic since it is commonly used as a
humectant (to help retain moisture). Other side effects in animals
exposed to PG include heart arrhythmia, stunted growth, decreased blood
pressure, and even death. Butylene Glycol is now being used to replace
PG in some personal care products, even though it is the only one of the
glycols that has not been able to get on the FDA's GRAS List (Generally
Recognized As Safe).
4. Petrolatum and Mineral Oil: Mineral oil
is a derivative of crude oil and petrolatum is mineral oil jelly. Both
are used industrially as lubricants. They are also widely used in
lotions, creams, and other body care products. Mineral oil actually
smothers the skin. It forms an oily film on the skin to lock in
moisture, but traps in toxins and wastes, and clogs pores. It hinders
normal skin respiration by keeping oxygen out, so it is actually drying
to the skin. It can promote acne and skin photosensitivity, and slows
down normal cell development, resulting in premature aging of the skin.
Products that contain mineral oil and petrolatum actually create the
very conditions they are intended to treat.
5. Imidazolidinyl
Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea: These are the second most commonly used
preservatives next to parabens. They have long been recognized as a
primary cause of skin irritations. In addition, they release
formaldehyde, a toxic chemical, at very low temperatures (just over
10°). Neither one is particularly good at inhibiting the growth of
fungus, so they need to be combined with other preservatives, which just
adds to the potential toxic load in a product.
6. DEA
(Diethanolamine) MEA (Monoethanolamine) & TEA (Triethanolamine):
Some alias names: Cocamide DEA or MEA, DEA-Cetyl phosphate, DEA Oleth-3
phosphate, Myristamide DEA, Stearamide MEA, Lauramide DEA, Linoleamide
MEA, Oleamide DEA, TEA-Lauryl Sulfate. These chemicals and related
ingredients are emulsifiers and foaming agents, widely used in a variety
of cosmetic products, particularly bubble bath, bodywash, shampoo, soap
and facial cleansers. Ethanolamines are eye and skin irritants. DEA is
easily absorbed through the skin, and accumulates in body organs, even
the brain. Animal tests show it causes damage to the liver, kidney,
brain, spinal cord, bone marrow, and skin. Contact with the eyes can
cause impaired vision. In 1998, the National Toxicology Program (NTP)
did a research study showing a link between cancer in lab animals and
DEA and certain DEA - related ingredients, when applied topically.
7.
Butylated hydroxianisole (BHA) & Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT):
BHA and BHT are preservatives very commonly used not only in cosmetics
and personal care products, but in food products. BHA is absorbed
through the skin and stored in body tissues. BHT is harmful if ingested,
inhaled or absorbed through skin. It causes eye and skin irritation,
and is irritating to mucous membranes & upper respiratory tract.
Effects may vary from mild irritation to severe destruction of tissue.
8.
Phthalates: Phthalates are chemicals commonly found in cosmetic and
personal care products; especially nail polish, perfumes, hair sprays,
and lotions, as well as in clothes, household cleaners and deodorizers,
baby toys, shower curtains, insect repellants, toothbrushes, food
packaging, aspirin, medical tubing and fluid bags, gum, candy,
biodegradable tampon injectors, and prescription medications. Both the
CDC and NIOSH have been conducting ongoing studies for the past 5 years
to evaluate the potentially hazardous effects of phthalates. Phthalates
are regulated as toxic substances under environmental laws that limit
their discharge into air, land, and water, but there are NO limitations
on the amount of phthalates used in consumer products. Health effects of
phthalates include damage to the liver and kidneys, birth defects,
decreased sperm counts, testicular cancer, early puberty onset in girls,
early breast development in girls and boys, and other reproductive
disorders. Phthalates are also suspected to contribute to reduced
fertility in males.
9. Synthetic Colors: Synthetic colors are
used to make products more attractive, not more functional. They are
usually listed on the label as FD&C or D&C, along with a color
and number. (e.g. FD&C Yellow No. 5). Synthetic colors are typically
derived from petroleum or coal, and are found in a wide variety of food
products and pet foods, as well as in drugs, cosmetics, and personal
care products. Most do not fade during processing and storing, giving
them an advantage over natural coloring agents. In 1960, the Delaney
anti-cancer clause was added to the FDA's FD & C Act, which
prohibits marketing any color additive the agency has found to cause
cancer in animals or humans, regardless of amount. Yet it has been
proven in many animal lab tests that high doses of most synthetic dyes
approved by the FDA are capable of causing various adverse reactions,
including cancer. Regulators have faced a dilemma because technological
advances have enabled scientists to identify smaller and smaller
concentrations of a substance and conduct more sensitive toxicological
tests. Are such tiny amounts a health threat? Scientists have yet to
answer this question, and these synthetic dyes remain in many of the
products we use daily. The FDA even says on its consumer website: "You
may, however, want to avoid consuming huge quantities of any one color
additive. Good sense is the best policy. As with many other food
ingredients, don't overuse any one product. Practice everything in
moderation." That is all well and good, but since most synthetic colors
can potentially cause some sort of adverse reaction, even if we avoid
heavy consumption of one, we are likely consuming others, which adds to
the toxic load overall. It's best to simply avoid synthetic colors
altogether.
Shocking, isn't it? You are probably
wondering where this information comes from. Well, it is publicly
available, folks. I found all of the information to compile this list
online. Some of the greatest resources I found are Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDS's). All manufacturers of hazardous chemicals in the USA are
required to file MSDS's by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health
Administration). An MSDS "contains written or printed material
concerning a hazardous chemical as prescribed by law," including
information "needed to insure the safety and health of the user at all
stages of [the chemical's] manufacture, storage, use, and disposal."
There are several sites online where you can look up an MSDS (I used
this one http://www.setonresourcecenter.com/MSDS/index.htm). Just enter
the chemical name into the search and browse the results. The adverse
affects are listed on the MSDS under: "Health Hazards Data". I also
found information on the sites of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control),
FDA (Food & Drug Administration), NTP (National Toxicology Program)
and NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which
is a division of the CDC).
