In our increasing awareness of health and wellness, we have placed so much emphasis on what we put in our bodies that we often neglect to pay attention to what we put on our bodies. The importance of skin care is underrated. It is often thought of as a luxury. However studies are proving that we need to pay much closer attention to what we put on skin. Ingredients like 1,4 Dioxane and 14 Quarterium are harmful ingredients found to be present (in doses “undetectable” levels to the FDA) in many over the counter products. Even many products that claim to be “natural” or “botanical” are being found to contain these and more harmful ingredients. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) lists several very common and widely used products that contain these and many other harmful ingredients in small doses.
Why is it so important that these ingredients are in our personal care products if they are in such small levels that they are undetectable to the FDA? Imagine that you are taking a very small dose of arsenic (contained in rat poison) daily. This substance builds in the body as a toxin and is not properly eliminated. Eventually, the organ systems (liver, kidney) become overwhelmed and the body shuts down. Such is the same with putting nano-doses of toxin onto our skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body and aborbs whatever we come in contact with readily. Repeated exposure to the skin is the equivalent to repeated ingestion of toxic chemicals. It is no coincidence that illness such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, breast cancer is on the rise and occurring in females younger and younger. Whereas we know from research that there is a strong genetic component to breast cancer, we are now seeing many women less than 35 years of age aquiring breast cancer and with no family history. Where is this coming from? Likely from daily exposures to toxins put on the skin and used in the home.
So what are these components? Here is a brief summary of just a few of the harmful ingredients contained in over the counter personal care products and cosmetics.
- 1,4-Dioxane is a petroleum-derived contaminant considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a clear-cut animal carcinogen by the NationalToxicology Program. It is also on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known or suspectedby the state to cause cancer or birth defects. Because it is a contaminant produced during manufacturing, the FDA does not require it to be listed as an ingredient on product labels.
- Phthalates are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been linked to reproductive damage. They are present in flexible polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC), cosmetics, and other consumer items. PVC represents the largest use of phthalates, occupying 90% of global plasticiser production. In PVC, phthalates are added to impart flexibility. In cosmetics, phthalates are often added to provide flexibility, impart an oily “moisturizing” film, and help dissolve and fix other ingredients. In addition, phthalates serve as solvents in fragrances and as denaturants in alcohols. The problem with phthalates is that they have been shown in animal studies to cause reproductive problems in males such as birth defects, feminization in males, increase risk for testicular cancer, hypogonadia and undescended testes. Phthalates have been shown to be secreted in human breast milk. In other animals studies, toxicity to liver, heart and blood was demonstrated.
- Quaternium-15 is a preservative found in many cosmetics and industrial substances that releases formaldehyde. It can be found in numerous sources, including but not limited to: mascara, eyeliner, moisturizer, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, nail polish, personal lubricants, soaps, body wash, baby lotion or shampoo, facial cleanser, tanning oil, self-tanning cream, sunscreen, powder, shaving products, ointments, personal wipes or cleansers, wipes, paper, inks, paints, polishes, waxes and industrial lubricants. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen (cancer causing agen) and quaternium-15 in addition is a skin sensitizer and tends to cause contact dermatitis.
- Petroleum Distillates are prohibited for use in cosmetics in the European Union. Petroleum distillates are a possible human carcinogen and may contain harmful impurities or form toxic breakdown products.
These are just a few of the harmful ingredients that we are putting on our skin daily.
To view a more in depth list visit www.ewg.com or http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
You may also visit www.safecosmetics.org to view a list of companies who have signed the compact for safe cosmetics.
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