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:
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.