April 5, 2010

Green Beauty Guide

The beauty index of “what NOT to wear” on your skin

Aluminum – Used in antiperspirants and antiseptics. Certain scientists have found links between aluminum and breast cancer. Some suspicions have been equally raised about its implication in Alzheimer.

Animal Fat - Usually, one of the main ingredients in bar soaps, animal fat is notorious for being highly contaminated with pesticides and for removing the protective lipid layer of the skin.

Coal Tar Color (sold under the names colors FD & C or colors D & C) – Used to give texture and color to certain shampoos and to reduce itching. Can contain a variety of toxins (benzene, xylene, naphthalene), recognized for causing allergic reactions as well as asthma attacks, headaches, nausea, fatigue, nervousness, lack of concentration and cancer.

Cocamide (DEA, DEA-CETYL phosphates, DEA OLETH-3 phosphates, Myristamide DEA, Stearamide MEA, Cocamide MEA, Lauramide MEA, Oleamide DEA, TEA-Lauryl Sulfate) – These chemicals ingredients are used as emulsifiers and foaming bases in the majority of body care products. Contain cancer causing elements.

Collagen – Derived from animal skins and chicken feet, the collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin. They rest on top of the skin and prevent the skin from breathing comfortably.

DEET – Very irritating to the skin. In 2004, Health Canada removed any products containing more than 30% of DEET from store shelves.

Formaldehyde – Toxic. Contact with skin may cause white discoloration, cracking scaling, irritation with redness, pains and possibly burns.

Imidazolidinyl urea and DM hydantoine (Germall Plus, Germall II and Germal 115) – Known for causing eczema dermatitis. After parabens, these are the most used preservatives. These chemical products are toxic.

Isopropyl Alcohol – Found in hair dyes, massage oils, hand creams after shave creams, perfumes and many other cosmetic products. Inhaling or ingesting the vapor could cause headaches, intoxication, sickness, narcosis or coma.

Mineral oil – It forms an oily layer on the skin and traps moisture under the skin, which doesn’t allow the skin to breathe. Also, it stops toxins and wastes from escaping.

Parabens (methyl, propyl-, butyl- and ethyl) – Used to prolong the shelf life of products. Widely used, even though they are known to be toxic. Causes many allergic reactions and skin eruptions. Extremely toxic.

Petrolatum and Paraffin Gel (petroleum jelly) – It increases damage from the sun and interferes with the body’s natural moisturizing process leading to dry skin. Many manufacturers use petrolatum because it is incredibly cheap!

Phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, DNOP) - These are a group of chemicals that can make products (usually plastics) more flexible. Used in shower curtains, medical plastics, children’s toys, cosmetics (nail polish, perfumes etc…) The Canadian Cancer Society is most concerned with the use of phthalates in medical supplies & children’s toys.

Propylene Glycol - Warns against contact with the skin. Nevertheless, it is rare that you will find cosmetics that do not use it as a moisturizer. The effects of propylene glycol on human health are numerous and alarming: dermatitis, ototoxicity, kidney damage and liver problems.

PVP / VA Copolymere - Used in shampoos and conditioners. It is considered toxic.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) - Their low cost makes them present in most of our shampoos and cosmetic foaming products. Here are a few of the harmful effects of their use: urinary infections, kidney and bladder infections, fertility problems, irritation to the eyes, skin and scalp, allergic reactions, lesions of the scalp and hair loss. Certain studies have asserted that SLS and SLES are carcinogenic.

Stearalkonium Chloride - A chemical used in conditioners, to detangle hair and in skin creams. In most cases it causes allergic reactions. The chloride of Stearalkonium was developed by the textile industry as a softening agent. It is much cheaper and easier to include in hair conditioners than plant proteins or extracts, which are healthier for the hair. Very toxic.

Synthetic Perfumes - The term “perfume” on the label of a conventional product is very misleading: behind this simple word hide 200 chemical products that are unlisted. Some problems caused by these chemicals are: headaches, dizziness, hyper-pigmentation, violent cough, vomiting and skin irritation.

Talc – A white-gray mineral powder used especially as a baby powder and in deodorant products. Long-term use can produce the same effects as those of asbestos. Besides, the consequences of the respiratory system, talc can also affect the reproductive system.

Toluene – Causes irritation, drying, redness and dermatitis. Prolonged or chronic exposure can cause anemia, liver and kidney damage and may even affect developing fetus.

Triclosan – Common antibacterial chemical used in consumer products (soaps, mouthwash, deodorant, toothpaste, shaving cream, cleaning supplies, toys, kitchen utensils, bedding, trash bags, socks). In 2009 , the Canadian Medical Association asked the Canadian government to ban triclosan use because of bacterial resistance and producing dangerous side products like chloroform.

Triethanolamine (TEA) - TEA causes allergic reactions, including eye problems, dry hair and skin, and can be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

OTHER CHEMICALS TO AVOID:

Bisphenol A (BPA) - Chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics & epoxy resins. Found in food & drink packaging (water, infant bottles, CD’s, impact-resistant safety equipement & medical devices). Human exposure to BPA is through diet, air, dust, water, food & beverages.

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