Features
Skin Pollution
The bare-faced facts about so-called ‘natural’ skin care products
An increasing number of consumers are adding organic produce to their weekly shopping list. We are all becoming more aware of the health hazards from pesticide-residues in fruit and vegetables to hormones in meats and the addition of artificial sweeteners in almost everything else.
But are you aware of what goes in your personal care products?
Did you know…
- That ‘natural’ skincare products only need 1% of natural ingredients to be called ‘natural’?
- That each year over 100,000 tons of man-made chemicals are dumped into so called ‘natural’ cosmetics !
- That you absorb up to 60% of any substance applied to you skin?
- That women can absorb up to 2 kg (4.4 lb.) of chemicals through their skin every year.
Most women spend hours every week looking after their skin. We buy cleansers, toners,day creams, night creams, eye gels, body lotions, anti-cellulite lotions to name a few. We are willing to try almost anything that promises beauty – especially if it is ‘natural’.
How natural is 'Natural'?
Almost every skin care product on the market today describes itself as natural or pure. It’s the marketing buzzword of today and it sells. Applied to skin care products it is also the most misused word in the English language.
There are thousands of chemicals in ‘natural’ products, up to 20 in any one product. It may be misleading, but it’s not illegal. The beauty industry must be the only one in the world where a product laden with chemicals and synthetic additives can be labelled ‘natural’ providing it contains as little as 1% natural ingredients!
Yet the glossy images of attractive models with smooth skin often hide a dangerous secret; - a carcinogenic cocktail of hazardous waste.
Most of the chemicals that go into our toiletries are little or no different from the harsh, toxic chemicals used in industry. The cosmetic industry will not tell you that some of the ingredients used in its products are health hazards, but that is no reason to remain uninformed. Who wants stinging eyes, reddened skin, or allergic contact dermatitis, not to mention an increased cancer risk?
The following may help you avoid some of the major nasties next time you go shopping!
Fragrances & Preservatives
The two leading causes of allergy and irritation in cosmetics are fragrances and preservatives. If you suffer watery eyes, reddened skin, irritation or allergic reaction, the culprit could be the fragrance added to cosmetics. Other commonly reported symptoms include nausea, mood changes, depression, lethargy, restlessness, irritability, memory lapses and inability to concentrate.
Fragrances
Many chemicals found in fragrances are designated as hazardous. Manufactures are not required to list on product labels the ingredients used in formulating their fragrances, scents or perfumes.
What to avoid:
If you are sensitive to cosmetics or suffer from asthma:
Avoid using products containing fragrances - 95 percent of the mix in most fragrances is made from synthetic chemicals.
Fragrances made with natural ingredients can also cause skin irritation. Bergamot oil, orange and lime oil – to mention a few - can cause irritation – especially when exposed to the sun. However you are less likely to suffer allergic reactions if you use one oil or a blend of a few oils, rather than if you use synthetic fragrances.
Preservatives
Cosmetic products require preservatives or bactericides to prevent them from being contaminated. Some of the most allergenic and irritating preservatives release small amounts of formaldehyde, which is an irritant as well as a carcinogenic and neurotoxin.
What to avoid:
The following ingredients contain formaldehyde, may release formaldehyde or may break down into formaldehyde:
- 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
- Diazolidinyl urea
- DMDM hydantoin
- Imidazolidinyl urea
- Quaternium 15
The following can cause allergic reactions or irritation.
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Parabens (butyl-, ethyl-, methyl- and propyl-paraben)
In addition to the above reactions, parabens are also known to have mild oestrogen-mimicking properties, and a recent study from Reading University found higher than average levels of parabens in breast tumour tissue. It is also known that exposure to propyl paraben reduces daily sperm production in men. All of these effects are observed from topical exposure to parabens, as opposed to internal consumption.
Cancer Risks
Many cosmetics, both natural and from mainstream companies, contain either diethanolamine or triethanolamine (wetting agents), abbreviated on labels as DEA and TEA, and sometimes shown bound to other compounds as in cocamide DEA or TEA sodium lauryl sulfate. Neither DEA or TEA is carcinogenic. However, if products contain nitrites - often present as contaminants and not disclosed on cosmetic labels -, their presence in cosmetics can cause a chemical reaction – leading to the formation of nitrosamines – most nitrosamines are carcinogenic!
What to avoid:
- DEA
- TEA
- Bronopol
- Padimate-O (octyl dimethyl PABA)
- 1,4 – Dioxane
- Ingredients such as: Polyethylene Glycol, Polyoxyethylene, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth sulfate, polysorbate 60 & 80 - most likely to be contaminated with 1,4-Dixane.
Artificial colours
Several artificial colours, such as Blue 1 and Green 3 are carcinogenic. Some contain heavy metal impurities.
What to avoid:
- Blue 1 (E133)
- Green 3 (E142)
- D&C Red 33 (E127)
- FD&C Yellow 5 (E102)
- FD&C Yellow 6 (E110)
Lanolin
Lanolin itself is perfectly safe, and its presence in cosmetics is generally beneficial to your skin. But cosmetic grade Lanolin can be contaminated with carcinogenic pesticides such as DDT, dieldrin and lindane.
What to avoid:
Talc
Cosmetic talc found in baby powders, face powders, body powders and some contraceptives are carcinogenic. Inhaling talc and using it in the genital area is associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Talc should never be used on babies both because of its carcinogenity and acute respiratory distress from inhalation that can result in death.
What to avoid:
By Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of The Green People Co Ltd.
© 2004 - The Green People Co Ltd - All Rights Reserved
What to avoid - from The Safe Shoppers Bible by David Steinmann & Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.
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