Wednesday 4 July 2007

The synthetic hitlist

Beauty products are often laden with potentially harmful synthetic and chemical ingredients. So, where do you even begin? The prospect of scouring all your products for chemical nasties can seem daunting, but it is really not so bad and it is an entirely worthy endeavour if you are keen to protect your health and the planet. My secret is very simple, purchase beauty products that are certified organic and have as few ingredients in as possible. Most decent natural beauty brands provide ingredients lists on their websites and avoid using parabens, sodium lauryl and laureth sulphates and other chemical foamers and preservatives. To give you that vital kickstart here is a mere modicum of the suspicious substances you need to look out for.

1.4- Dioxane - Can potentially cause irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract and depress the central nervous system. High levels said to cause headaches and dizziness. The US Environmental Protection agency has cited 1.4- Dioxane as a possible carcinogen.
Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40) - Linked with premature skin aging and skin dehydration.
DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine)TEA (triethanolamine) - Used in cosmetics to alter the pH balance and as a base in some cleansers. Can cause allergic responses. One study in 1994 found that when topically applied to rats DEA caused anaemia, nerve damage and kidney degeneration.
Formaldehyde - Potential eye, throat and skin irritant. Linked with headaches and chronic fatigue.
Fragrance - Can be a sign that many toxic ingredients are present. Some observations have shown detrimental effects on the central nervous system.
Lanolin - Cosmetic grade lanolin can be contaminated with pesticides and insecticides.
Mineral Oils (Petrolatum, Liquidum paraffinum, Paraffin oil, Paraffin wax) - Can clog the pores and reduce the skin’s ability to detoxify. Linked to premature aging.
Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, ethyl) - Used to increase product shelf life. Potential skin irritant. Researchers at The Department of Biology and Biochemistry at Brunel University have found parabens to be mildly oestrogenic and suggested that their safety in products should be re-evaluated.
Phthalates - Two types of phthalates have already been prohibited in cosmetics (DEHP and DBP). Linked by some studies with liver, kidney and lung damage as well as damage to the reproductive system of developing foetuses. In a study by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 5% of the 20 – 40 year old women tested were shown to have concerning levels of phthalates.
Propylene Glycol - Used as a humectant to stop products dying out. Some research at the American Academy of Dermatologists has shown to be a skin irritant.
Sodium Laureth Sulphate (see also Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, also watch out for Ammonium Laureth Sulphate) - Used in shower gels, shampoos etc to make them foamier. Linked with skin irritation, hair loss and impaired hair growth according to the American Journal of Toxicology.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (also watch out for Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate) - Can strip away the skin’s surface oil causing dryness and allergic reactions. Tests on lab animals have indicated that SLS can cause the degeneration of cell membranes. May possibly react with other chemicals in products to form potentially carcinogenic dioxins and nitrates. Possible damaging effects on the immune system, liver and lungs.
Synthetic Colours (Coal tar dyes – FD& C colour pigments, colours followed by a number such as blue 1, yellow 6) - Said by some to be carcinogens when ingested or applied to the skin. Also said to cause skin sensitivity and irritation.
Talc - Cosmetic grade talc has been linked with an increase in the development of ovarian cancer.
Toluene - Used in hairspray and nail polish. Is a potential skin irritant. Has been linked with liver damage.
Xylene (look out for xylol or dimethylbenzene) - Used in hairspray and nail polish. Linked with liver damage and irritation of the skin and respiratory tract.

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