I hope not, but the reality is that some of your skincare products contain ingredients that can make you sick! All of the lotions, soaps, shampoos and beauty products that we use everyday are being absorbed into our bodies through our skin. Just because the label says “all natural,” can we be sure the ingredients are healthy and non-toxic? Sadly, the answer is no. The cosmetics and personal care industry is highly unregulated. As a result, manufacturers are able to put all sorts of toxic ingredients into their products. Not only do we need to read the labels on our food products, we also need to scrutinize the labels on our skincare products. What you put ON your body is just as important as what you put in your body.
There are literally hundreds of chemicals that can be found in beauty and skincare products. Below is a list of some of the more common ones that you will likely see on the labels.
1.) Triclosan – used in antibacterial cosmetics such as cleansers, toothpaste and antiperspirants. Triclosan can pass through the skin and is considered an endocrine disruptor.
2.) Parabens – this is a preservative that is widely used in toothpaste, lotions, shampoos, deodorants and cosmetics. Parabens easily penetrate the skin. They are an endocrine disruptor and have been linked to causing cancer. Parabens have been restricted in other countries, but not in the U.S.
3.) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – this is a foaming agent that is found in shampoos, cleansers and bubble bath. Can be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies 1,4 dioxane as a possible human carcinogen.
4.) Synthetic colors – listed on the label as FD&C or D&C. These artificial colors are typically derived from petroleum or coal tar sources and are suspected of being a human carcinogen.
5.) PEG’s (polyethylene glycol) – these are petroleum based compounds used as thickeners, softeners and moisture carriers in cream based cosmetics.
6.) Petrolatum – also known as mineral oil jelly, petrolatum is used in moisturizers and hair care products. Petrolatum can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which have been linked to cancer.
7.) Formaldehyde releasing preservatives – these preservatives are used in a wide range of cosmetics. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen.
8.) BHA and BHT – these are synthetic preservatives used in lipsticks and moisturizers. BHA is classified as a human carcinogen. Long term exposure to BHT is toxic to mice and rats, causing liver, thyroid and kidney problems. May also be an endocrine disruptor.
9.) Aluminum – Aluminum is mainly found in deodorants and antiperspirants. It is a powerful neurotoxin and may cause breast cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Scary stuff, isn’t it? Now, take a moment to count how many skincare products you use in a day. I use 16. That can add up to a lot of toxins if your skincare products contain any of the above ingredients. I know it may seem daunting to go through all of your beauty products and possibly throw many of them out. Trust me, you are worth it!! If you buy your cosmetics at a drug store, switch to buying your products at a natural food store. This is where I buy almost all of my products. Consider minimizing the number of products that you use on a daily basis. I stopped using deodorant years ago and I try not to wash my hair every day. Lucky for you, I do brush my teeth everyday!!
If you really want to simplify, you can use coconut oil or olive oil as a body lotion, face cleanser and hair conditioning mask. Avocado oil works great as a lip moisturizer. A mixture of honey and yogurt makes an amazing cleanser/mask for your face. Just open up your fridge or your pantry and get creative!!
There are a couple of websites that provide really great information on determining if your products are safe. Environmental Working Group Skin Deep (http://ewg.org/skindeep) is a database for cosmetics. You can look up your products by brand name and see how they rate. Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (http://safecosmetics.org) is another great resource. I ran a check on Mineral Fusion which is the cosmetic brand that I use. Thankfully, they were rated a “1” which is the best rating. My lip gloss was another story. I have used Origins lip gloss for years. To my surprise it is loaded with toxic chemicals! I have been treating a thyroid condition for several years now and one of the ingredients in the lip gloss (BHT) can cause thyroid issues. Not only am I putting this toxin on my lips, but I am probably ingesting quite a bit as well. It’s no wonder autoimmune and thyroid disease are at an all time high in this country!!
Pictured below are the beauty products that I currently use. Everything except the Sia skincare can be found at Sprouts or Natural Grocer. Sia is an amazing line produced right here in Tucson. The products contain local ingredients like prickly pear, jojoba and aloe. My wonderful esthetician got me hooked on this product. Thank you, Lynne!! You can order the products online at http://siabotanics.com.
Take some time this weekend and clean out your bathroom cabinet. Be brave and toss the bad stuff. Then go shopping and treat yourself to some amazing new products. Think of it as an investment in your health 😉
