Are your cosmetics make you sick?

June 18, 2010

in Green-Living,Tips to detox naturally

It’s funny how some people I know really care about what they eat, trying to buy organic, avoiding plastic containers, and even getting rid of their microwave and ditching metal forks for wooden ones, but still use some toxic filled beauty products!

The ugly truth is that if big companies put chemicals in our food, imagine what they can do with cosmetics! You should be very careful on which personal products you buy.  Like for food, it means getting used to read the labels and understanding the ingredient list.  Many substances can get into our body through skin or eyes absorption, if not ingested while being applied to our lips.

Here are some frequent substances that are potentially harmful:

Dimethicone

Why: Blocks skin pores preventing skin detoxification. May promote tumors and accumulate in the liver and lymph nodes.

Where: creams and lotions

Ethylacrylate

Why: carcinogen

Where: mascaras

Formaldehyde

Why: carcinogen, neurotoxic and extremely destructive to tissue of the mucus membrane.

Where: baby shampoos, bubble bath, deodorant, perfume, hair dye, mouthwash, toothpaste, hair care products and nail polish.

Fragrances

Why: suppresses the immune system, endocrine disruptors and carcinogens.

Where: any scented product that is not using essential oils. Shampoos, deodorants, creams, lotions, toner, perfume, wipes, hair care products, air fresheners, etc.

Mineral oil and other petroleum based substances

Why: Known carcinogens, blocks skin pores, can cause eye, skin and respiratory tract irritation. Aggravates pre-existing skin disorders. Build-up in tissues and prevent some vitamin absorption from the intestines.

Where: lip balms, lipsticks, moisturizing creams, blush, foundation, baby oil, and lotions.

Padimate-O (PABA)

Why: can liberate potent carcinogen when combined with other ingredients.

Where: sunscreens and other cosmetics

Parabens

Why: known allergen, estrogenic, increases risk of breast cancer, endocrine disruptor, linked to fertility problems.

Where: As it is used as a preservative, it’s found in a large variety of cosmetics and personal care items.

Propylene glycol (PEG or PPG)

Why: skin irritant, can cause liver abnormalities, kidney damage, inhibits cells growth, gastro-intestinal problems, headaches and nervous system disruption

Where: Shampoos, hair conditioners, lotions, beauty creams, deodorants, baby wipes, food, etc.

Phthalates

Why: Accumulates in the body creating liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system damage.

Where: perfumes, air freshener, hair care products, deodorant, nail polish, lotion, etc.

Polypropylene

Why: carcinogen

Where: lipstick, mascara, baby soap, eye shadow, etc.

PVP/VA Copolymer

Why: lung damage

Where: hair care products

Sodium Fluoride

Why: carcinogen, rat poison ingredient!

Where: toothpaste, drinking water with added fluoride

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth sulfate (SLES)

Why: strong skin irritant, carcinogen liberation when mixed with some other ingredients, can cause mutagenic effects, especially on eye tissues.  One drop of SLS can stay in the tissues for up to 5 days.

Where: Shampoos, hair conditioners, body wash, liquid soaps, toothpaste, facial cleaners, and most foaming cosmetics

So next time you’re in need of a good shampoo or a moisturizing cream, think about it and avoid those ingredients.

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  • http://www.thrive-style.com Lisa

    Hi Veronica,
    This is crazy info! I never knew much about this except I should stay away from parabens and mineral oil. Definitely sticking to the natural brands!
    Thanks,
    Lisa

  • http://collectiondismoi.canalblog.com Alicia

    And all of this to make more money with shampoo, cosmetic, soap.
    They want to sell their products without thinking about the health of the people. What a shame!
    When we know, we have to banish these products but it is so easy to forget, so easy to believe in all of the wonders of their products, so easy to buy these scrap!

  • lifewithnature

    According to my own experience, natural brands are usually the only ones not having one or more potentially dangerous ingredients. However, be sure to still check the ingredients list of the natural brands. I’ve seen some with unwanted ingredients in it.

  • lifewithnature

    You’re right to say that’s it’s so easy to forget. We want to believe in all the wonders they advertise. However, it usually do more harm than good, and that’s what leads to many of the increasing health problems. The governments often allow the use of those products because they believe than when used in small quantity, the effects on our body is minimal. But if almost every product we use contains some, the amount our body asborbs can rise dramatically.

  • http://www.cna-trainingclass.com/free-cna-training/ cna classes

    Keep up the good work, I like your writing.

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