Toxic Chemicals Found in Cosmetics (www.cosmeticsdatabase.com)

The following is a list of toxins that are found in MOST over the counter cosmetics – even the chi-chi brands with designer names and logos include them….don’t be fooled by labels. Instead, read the labels, ask the questions and know that your local healthy food store will carry excellent good-for-you brands for both your facial beauty and your children’s skin health for creams, bubble baths and sunscreen. Some of my favourites include: Green Beaver, Dr. Hauschka and Zuzu Cosmetics.

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Amine Family or Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), and monoethanolamine (MEA)
This is found in shampoo, soaps, hair sprays, sunscreens, foundations, concealers, eyeliners, talcs, face powder,  and shaving creams. It is used emulsifier, pH adjuster, preservative, foaming agent added to coconut oils. It is a hormone disrupter and carcinogen linked to liver and kidney cancer. It is an irritant to hair, skin, and eyes, corrosive to eyes, causes contact dermatitis, and reacts with other chemicals to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.Butylene glycol
Hair sprays and setting lotions contain Butylene glycol which is used as a preservative with low threshold for skin irritation, which helps resists humidity. It strips the skin of its natural protection barrier leaving the immune system exposed. It is damaging and causes aging of the skin as well as rashes and dryness.

Formaldehyde Family
(Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Lmidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Nicopropane-1, Formalin, Methanal, Methyl aldehyde, Methlene oxide, Morbicid acid, Oxymethylene.)
This is found in shampoo, bubblebath, conditioners, shower gels, skin lotions, bubble bath, hair care products, antiperspirants, nail polish, mascara, mouthwash, makeup remover, and nail hardener. It is used as a disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, defoamer and preservative. Can result in: allergic reactions and contact dermatitis; headaches, irritation of mucous membranes; damage to eyes; linked to joint and chest pain; depression; headaches, fatigue, dizziness and immune dysfunction. It is a carcinogen and irritant.

Hydroquinone skin lightener
Avoid skin lighteners with hydroquinone. This skin bleaching chemical can cause a skin disease called ochronosis, with “disfiguring and irreversible” blue-black lesions that in the worst cases become permanent all over the skin.

Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). Sodim laureth sulfate (SLES)
This ingredient is a harsh detergent found in car washes, engine degreasers, toothpaste, shampoo, bath salts, body and shower gels, cleansing products, and hair conditioners. It is used as a foaming agent and emulsifier. Use of this product can result in: kidney and liver damage; nervous-system disruption, damage to eyes leading to cataracts; eczema and dermatitis. It is known to inflame skin layers. SLS breaks down the skin’s moisture barrier allowing other chemicals to more easily penetrate the skin. When combined with other chemicals, SLS can be transformed into dangerous “nitrosamines”… a potent class of carcinogens. Frequently Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is disguised in products claiming to be natural as, “comes from coconut”.

Lead
Lead harms the developing brain of a child, this neurotoxin is found in hair dyes and commonly found in lipstick. Studies find residues on door knobs and cabinets. Lead is a proven neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure. Lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development. Lead has also been linked to infertility and miscarriage.

Mercury
Mercury has the ability to damage brain function even at low levels, but it is still found in cosmetics. It can be listed as the mercury preservative “thimerosal.”

Nanotechnology/nanoparticles/nanomaterials

Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of materials and the creation of structures and systems that exist at the scale of atoms and molecules. Personal care products can use nanoparticles, nanomaterials or nanotechnology. This emerging technology is almost entirely untested for its health effects, and no requirements exist for either testing or labeling these products to make sure consumers are both safe and informed. Nanoparticles have entered just about every personal care product on the market, including deodorant, soap, toothpaste, shampoo, hair conditioner, sunscreen, anti-wrinkle cream, moisturizer, foundation, face powder, lipstick, blush, eye shadow, nail polish, perfume and after-shave lotion. It results in toxicity to human tissue and cell cultures, resulting in increased oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine production, DNA mutation and even cell death. Nanoparticles can penetrate cell walls, including organ tissues, and are known to be highly reactive. Researchers using animal models have found that, when inhaled, carbon nanotubes may cause the same type of cancer linked to asbestos: mesothelioma.

Nickel Sulphate
Nickel sulphate is used in hair dyes and astringents and can cause skin rashes when used in cosmetics.

Paraben Preservative or alkyl-p-hydrozybenzoates
(methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl).
This is found in conditioners, hair styling gels, nail creams, foundations, concealers, mascara, facial masks, skin creams, deodorants, sunscreen, hair colouring products. It is used as a germicide and preservative. It can result in the development of breast cancer and have been found in breast tumours.  It is a hormone-disrupter, estrogenic (mimics natural estrogens, which can lead to cancer), and may cause skin irritations.

Phthatale Family or di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-2-ehtylehexyl phthalate (DEHP)
These chemicals are used because it makes plastic soft and malleable. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) adds flexibility and a moisturizing sheen, and helps dissolve other cosmetic ingredients. It is mainly found in nail polish, hair sprays, body lotions and deodorants. It can result in endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) and carcinogens linked to birth defects; premature breast development, lowered sperm counts, testicular injury, damage to reproductive organs, infertility, feminization of infant boys, lung, liver and kidney cancer. Pregnant women should avoid it in nail polish (“di-n-butyl phthalate”) and everyone should avoid products with “fragrance” on the label. Fragrances are chemical mixtures where phthalates often hide. Fragrances are the great secrets of the cosmetics industry. Law does not require companies to list on product labels any of the potentially hundreds of chemicals in a single product’s fragrance mixture. Fragrances can contain neurotoxins and are among the top 5 allergens in the world. It is wise to buy fragrance free. “Unscented” does not necessarily mean no fragrance ingredients since masking fragrances (which cover up unpleasant chemical odours) do not have to be identified. If a product contains a synthetic fragrance, you may also be exposed to other hazards including: allergens, Phthalates, Sensitizers (One in every 50 people may suffer immune system damage from fragrance and become sensitized, according to the EU’s Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-food Products. Once sensitized to an ingredient, a person can remain so for a lifetime, enduring allergic reactions with every subsequent exposure) and neurotoxins.

Petroleum byproducts/ petrochemicals
These are cancer-causing impurities derived from crude oil containing carcinogens in baby shampoo and petrochemical waste called coal tar in scalp treatment shampoos. Petroleum-based ingredients such as petrolatum, mineral oil, and paraffin form a barrier when applied to the skin that does not allow our skin to breath and can clog pores, potentially causing skin problems. It interders with your skin’s natural moisturizing mechanism. Petrochemicals are found in a wide range of cosmetics and is used as filler with no benefit. Derived from petroleum or coal, it coats your skin like plastic, clogging pores and decreasing your skin’s ability to eliminate toxins. This can result in the accumulation of toxins leading to acne and skin rashes. It also causes cellular development to slow down, resulting in pre-mature aging and therefore, should never be used in anti aging skin care.

Potassium bromate
It is found in products that are an antiseptic and astringent like toothpaste, mouthwash and gargles. It can cause bleeding and inflammation of the gums. It is very toxic if taken internally.

Resorcinol
This is found in dandruff shampoos, hair dyes, and lipstick. It is used as an antiseptic, anti-itching and antifungal device. It can cause irritation to the skin and mucous membranes.

Talc
Talc is found in baby powders, face powders and body powders as well as on some contraceptives such as condoms. Talc is a known carcinogen. It can result in ovarian cancer when used in the genital area. It can also lodge in the lungs, causing respiratory disorders.

Toluene
Toluene is used in nail polish to help suspend the color and form a smooth finish across the nail. It can result in headaches, dizziness, fatigue, chemical pneumonitis (a fatal disorder). It may also affect the liver, kidneys, nervous system, and blood. Severe overexposure can cause coma and death. Exposure to toluene can also affect the proper development of a growing fetus.

Ureas
(Formerly known as diazolidonyl urea, imidazolidiyl urea, or DMDM hydantoin and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.)
Ureas can release the harmful chemical formaldehyde in small amounts.
The chemicals are not listed on labels because contaminants are exempt from labeling laws. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that babies are 10 to 65 times more vulnerable to cancer-causing chemicals than adults.

1-4 Dioxane
1-4 Dioxane is found in shampoo, liquid soap and bubble bath. It can result in eye irritation, skin irritation, central nervous system depression, headaches, dizziness, damage to the liver and kidneys and blood disorders.