Researchers name the twelve ‘worst offenders’ in skin care
Canadian researchers from The David Suzuki Foundation have named twelve ingredients to avoid in skin care products and cosmetics.
They found that 80% of products include at least one of the chemicals listed below, while more than half contained several of them. It includes potential carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxins and allergy triggers.
- BHA and BHT – preservatives found in moisturisers and makeup
- Coal tar dyes – colourants used in hair dyes and cosmetics
- DEAs – a solvent and detergent used in creams and foaming products
- Dibutyl phthalate – a plasticizer used in nail polishes
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives – used in cosmetics
- Paraben, methylparaben, butylparaben & propylparaben – used as preservatives in many skin care products and make up
- Fragrance – artificial perfume used to scent every type of toiletry and cosmetic
- PEGs – used as a base for skin creams
- Petrolatum – used in lipsticks, salves, skin care and hair care products
- Siloxanes – used as a smoothing ingredient in cosmetics, deodorants and soaps
- Sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate – a foaming agent used in toothpastes, face washes, shampoos, soaps and shower gels
- Triclosan – antibacterial agent used in toothpastes, hand washes, deodorants and shaving creams
The foundation’s research was quite extensive, polling over 6,000 consumers as to the ingredients in their make up and personal care products.
As well as finding a high proportion of skin care products and cosmetics do contain these ingredients, the report also reveals that consumers could not even find the ingredients lists on over 1,000 products.
It also criticised companies for not giving full disclosure of fragrance ingredients. Currently cosmetics regulations do not state that the components of artificial fragrances need be listed individually, which is why in many products you will see just ‘parfum’ or ‘fragrance’ even though it may contain multiple chemicals.
Natural skin care from Green People
At Green People we use certified organic, gentle ingredients to create our products. You will not find any of the above chemicals in any of our products – be it make-up, skin care or hair care.
On each product, the ingredients are clearly labelled, including the essential oils which make up the fragrance. You will also find these on our website on each product page.