Cosmetic labels
- j...l
- 31 sie 2018
- 7 minut(y) czytania
Cosmetic companies have cart blanche to use any ingredient or raw material without government review or approval.
Those industries are highly unregulated. There is no pre-product approval before a product hits the market and enters your home. A minuscule approval process exists, but only for color additives and ingredients classified as over-the-counter drugs.
So the same way you look at food labels, you should look for your beauty products.
There are thousands of chemicals in your products, many of which are being absorbed into your body.
Here you will find a list of substances you should avoid, and if you want to know more, you can scroll down and read the description, all the names, why and when you shouldn't use them, how each of them works and where to find them.
All the synthetic chemicals which you can see below are skin irritants, skin penetrators, endocrine disrupters and are carcinogenic
- Parabens
- Synthetic colors
- Fragnance
- Phthalates
- Triclosan
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) / Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).
- Propylene glycol
- Sunscreen chemicals
- BHA
- Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, Phenylenediamine (Coal Tar)
- Polyethylene/PEGs
- Retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinoic acid and retinol
- Petroleum distillates
- Aluminum
- Dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde
- Hydroquinone
- Tetrasodium edta
- Dioxins
- Triethanolamine (tea)
- Deet
Parabens. Parabens are widely used preservatives that prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast in cosmetic products, that’s why they can survive for months or even years in our bathroom. But they do more than that. Parabens possess estrogen-mimicking properties that are associated with increased risk of breast cancer. These chemicals are absorbed through the skin and have been identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors. They can cause a number of problems for your hair including drying, irritating your scalp, fading your color, and even hair loss.
Parabens aren't just bad for humans, they impact the environment too. 'A scientific study reported that parabens have been found for the first time in the bodies of marine mammals'.'Researchers believe that it is likely these parabens come from products we use that are washed into the sewage system and released into the environment.'
They can be found in makeup, body washes, moisturizer, shaving gel, deodorants, shampoos, facial cleansers, personal lubricant and spray tan products. You can also find them in food and pharmaceutical products.
Common parabens include methylparaben (E number E218), ethylparaben (E214), propylparaben (E216), butylparaben and heptylparaben (E209). Less common parabens include isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts.
Synthetic colors
If you take a look at your product label and notice FD&C or D&C, they represent artificial colors.
These synthetic colors are derived from petroleum or coal tar sources. Synthetic colors are suspected to be a human carcinogen, a skin irritant and are linked to ADHD in children.
The European Classification and Labeling considers it a human carcinogen and the European Union has banned it.
They can be found in all cosmetic categories including makeup, hygiene products, oral care, baby care and men’s grooming products.
Common Synthetic Colors: FD&C Blue No. 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF), FD&C Blue No. 2 (Indigotine), FD&C Green No. 3 (Fast Green FCF), FD&C Red No. 3 (Erythrosine), FD&C Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine), and FD&C Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow).
Fragrance
Federal law doesn’t require companies to list on product labels any of the chemicals in their fragrance mixture. Recent research from Environmental Working Group and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found an average of 14 chemicals in 17 name-brand fragrance products, none of them listed on the label. Fragrances can contain hormone disruptors and are among the top 5 allergens in the world.
Found in: moisturizers, deodorant, lotion, face cream, shampoo, conditioner, perfume, cologne, body wash
Phthalates
A group of chemicals used in hundreds of products to increase the flexibility and softness of plastics.
They are known to be endocrine disruptors and have been linked to increased risk of breast cancer, early breast development in girls, and reproductive birth defects in males and females. Unfortunately, it is not disclosed on every product as it’s added to fragrances (remember the “secret formula” not listed), a major loophole in the law.
The main phthalates in cosmetics and personal care products are dibutyl phthalate in nail polish, diethyl phthalate in perfumes and lotions, and dimethyl phthalate in hair spray.
They can be found in deodorants, perfumes/colognes, hair sprays and moisturizers.
Triclosan
Tricolson is widely used antimicrobial chemical that’s a known endocrine disruptor — especially thyroid and reproductive hormones, and a skin irritant. Studies raise concerns that triclosan contributes to making bacteria antibiotic-resistant. There also wasn’t enough supporting evidence that washing with antibacterial soaps containing triclosan provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water.
Tricolson can be found in toothpastes, antibacterial soaps and deodorants.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) / Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
SLS’s are known to be skin, lung, and eye irritants. A major concern about SLS is its potential to interact and combine with other chemicals to form nitrosamines, a carcinogen. These combinations can lead to a host of other issues like kidney and respiratory damage. It is also widely believed to be a major contributor to acne (especially cystic acne) around the mouth and chin.
This surfactant can be found in more than 90 percent of personal care and cleaning products (think foaming products) like: shampoo, body wash/cleanser, mascara and acne treatment. foundation, face wash, mouthwash and toothpaste
Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol is a small organic alcohol commonly used as a skin-conditioning agent. It’s classified as a skin irritant and penetrator. It has been associated with causing dermatitis as well as hives in humans — these sensitization effects can be manifested at propylene glycol concentrations as low as 2 percent.
It can be found in moisturizers, sunscreen, makeup products, conditioners, shampoo and hair sprays
Sunscreen chemicals
These chemicals function as a sunscreen agent, to absorb ultraviolet light. These chemicals are endocrine disruptors and are believed to be easily absorbed into the body. They may also cause cellular damage and cancer in the body.
Oxybenzone is one of the highest-risk chemicals found in sunscreen. It acts like estrogen in the body, alters sperm production in animals and is associated with endometriosis in women. Studies on cells and laboratory animals indicate that oxybenzone and its metabolites may disrupt the hormone system. Opt for sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium oxide or avobenzene instead.
Common names are benzophenone, PABA, avobenzone, homosalate and ethoxycinnmate.
BHA
The National Toxicology Program classifies butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” It can cause skin depigmentation. In animal studies, BHA produces liver damage and causes stomach cancers such as papillomas and carcinomas and interferes with normal reproductive system development and thyroid hormone levels. The European Union considers it unsafe in fragrance.
Found in: exfoliants, perfume
Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, Phenylenediamine (Coal Tar)
Coal tar, a byproduct of coal processing, is a known human carcinogen, according to the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Europe has banned many of these ingredients in hair dyes. While FDA sanctions coal tar in specialty products such as dandruff and psoriasis shampoos, the long-term safety of these products has not been demonstrated
Found in: hair dye, shampoo
Polyethylene/PEGs
Those tiny plastic beads in face or lip scrubs and exfoliating washes are made from polyethylene (used because they’re gentler on the skin than natural exfoliators like walnut shells). These synthetic chemicals are frequently contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which the U.S. government considers a probable human carcinogen and which readily penetrates the skin. Polyethylene has been noted as a skin irritant and should never be used on broken skin. Polyethylene beads in scrubs and body washes also are not filtered by our sewage systems, meaning they can collect pollutants and travel into waterways, where they’re consumed by fish and marine animals.
Found in: scrubs, body wash, makeup, toothpaste
Retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinoic acid and retinol
Retinol products (often found in anti-aging products) have the opposite intended effect and become carcinogenic in sunlight, making it extra important to only use them at night and to avoid any sunscreens containing retinol-derived ingredients.
Found in: moisturizer, lip products, sunscreen, anti-aging products
Petroleum distillates
Petroleum-extracted cosmetics ingredients may cause contact dermatitis and are often contaminated with cancer-causing impurities. They are produced in oil refineries at the same time as automobile fuel, heating oil and chemical feedstocks.
Found in: mascara
Aluminum
Some studies have linked aluminum to Alzheimer’s disease, though recent research has cast doubt on the connection. Other studies have indicated that aluminum may be linked to breast cancer and other brain disorders.
Aluminum, in the form of powder, is used in self-care products such as antiperspirant deodorants
Dibutyl phthalate, toluene and formaldehyde
These chemicals, known as the “toxic trio,” have been linked to birth defects, endocrine disruption, headaches and respiratory problems—especially concerning for nail salon workers and those who frequently get manis or pedis. It’s advised that pregnant women avoid nail products altogether.
Found in: nail polish and other nail products
Hydroquinone
The FDA warns that this skin-bleaching chemical can cause a skin disease called ochronosis, with “disfiguring and irreversible” blue-black lesions on exposed skin. Illegally imported skin lighteners can contain mercury, which can poison adults and children and is especially toxic during pregnancy. Be wary of imported skin lighteners, don’t buy products without ingredients clearly labeled, and always avoid products with “mercury,” “calomel”, “mercurio” or “mercurio chloride.”
Found in: skin lighteners
Tetrasodium edta
Clinical tests show that tetrasodium EDTA increases the penetration of other chemicals. This is concerning, as this chemical is often contained in formulas with other ingredients that are deemed unsafe.
Dioxins
Belonging to the “dirty dozen” list of dangerous chemicals, dioxins are of high concern. Existing in the food chain as environmental pollutants, dioxins have made their way into many skin care products. Because they are persistent compounds, they linger inside of our body for long periods of time. According to the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database, dioxins are known endocrine disruptors, strongly linked to cancer and toxic to the organ system and human development.
Dioxins will not be listed on a label, but are often contained in antibacterial agents such as triclosan, PEGs and sodium laureth sulfate.
Triethanolamine (tea)
There’s tea , and then there’s TEA. These two are not to be confused, and we much prefer the first.
TEA is a fragrance ingredient, pH adjuster, surfactant, and emulsifier. The health concerns include cancer, organ system toxicity, allergic reactions and bioaccumulation in the skin. Animal studies also show that even at low doses applied topically, it was linked with cell mutation.
Look for it under other names like DEA and MEA on the labels, too.
It’s found in soaps, hair care, lotions, make up, perfumes and sunscreens
Deet
DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is considered to be a neurotoxin. Some studies have suggested that formulas containing concentrations over 30% are toxic. Long-term and heavy exposure to DEET caused brain cell death and behavioral changes in rats, which is why manufacturers recommend you avoid spraying it on your face or inhaling it while applying.
Found in insects spray killers.
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