TOXIC INGREDIENTS TO AVOID

Please read this list carefully. It includes some of the most toxic ingredients found in many personal care products and should be avoided.

1,4 Dioxane: (found in) shampoo, cosmetics Carcinogenic, effects kidney & liver - see Propylene Glycol

Bismuth Oxychloride: (also called “synthetic pearl”) Used as a dusting powder & in mineral make-ups FDA banned in 1992 on using this in fever blister & cold sore treatment. A by-product of lead & copper refining, similar to arsenic. Can clog pores & cause blemishes.

Butylene Glycol: (see Propylene Glycol) Ingestion may cause transient stimulation of the nervous system followed by depresseion, drowsiness, & vomiting. Can lead to kidney damage.

Carmine: lipsticks, glosses, blush, eye shadow Extract of a South American beetles wing. May cause hives, irritation and is linked to heart problems. (even found in Burts Bees & Ecco Bella products)

Collagen: anti-aging creams, cellulite creams Derived from animal skin or ground-up chicken feet, frequently irritates and suffocates the skin.

DEA, MEA & TEA: foaming agent in shampoo, body wash Hormone disrupter, when formed with other chemicals can form cancer causing nitrosamines. Repeated use leads to major increase in liver & kidney cancer. Restricted in Europe. Can cause allergic reactions & dryness of hair & skin. Toxic to the body if absorbed over a long period of time.

Dibutyl phthalate: nail polish, hairspray, deodorant Scent holder often not included in ingredient list. Banned in Europe due to its to link to cancer.

EDTA (DISODIUM): toxic preservative May cause asthma, kidney damage, irritant, penetration enhancer, may cause formation of carcinogens when combined with other chemicals.

FD & C Colourants: cosmetics, body wash (example: FD&C Blue 1, Green 3, D&C Green 6…..) Synthetic colors made from petroleum & coal tar. Used to enhance the appearance of products that may look unappealing or to hide impurities. Contain heavy metal salts which deposit toxins onto the skin causing skin irritation & sensitivity. Some banned in food but allowed in cosmetics. Animal studies show almost all to be carcinogens. AVOID !!

Formaldehyde: shower gels, deodorizers, nail polish TOXIC preservative. Allergic reactions, irritant, contact Dermatitis, headache, chronic fatigue. Damages respiratory system, weakens the immune system and known Carcinogen! Vapor is extremely irritating to eyes, nose & throat. AVOID !! Undertakers finding 50% more formaldehyde in bodies than 10 years ago.

Fragrance: MOST personal care products & perfume This simple ingredient label “fragrance” in cosmetics can be a complex cocktail of as many as 200 chemical ingredients. This disclosure loophole leaves no way to know what chemicals are present, many which are toxic or carcinogenic. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing, vomting, hyperactivity & depression. Linked to cancer & brain damage. Easily inhaled & absorbed through the skin, however, they take a very long time to be removed from the body once they enter. They accumulate in the fatty tissue & are TOXIC to many of the bodys internal organs & central nervous system. Perfumes are environmental pollutants . AVOID any product that has “fragrance” on the label.

Glycerin: soap, moisturizers Glycerin has the tendency to draw water out of the skin. Resulting in dryer skin & skin sensitivities exacerbated. If not labled, “vegetable” glycerin, it is a petro-chemical. Many manufacturers claim its vegetable based but may not be. Better to avoid.

Hydroquinone: lightening products Can cause skin disease called ochronosis, which leaves Irreversible black-blue lesions on the skin. Banned in Europe. Toxic if inhaled / ingested. Possible carcinogen.

Lanolin: derived from sheeps wool Skin irritant & sensitizer, skin rashes. The majority of lanolin used in cosmetics is highly contamined with pesticides & insectisides like DDT. Carcinogen.

Mercury: eye drops, ointments, Mascara (Often listed as THIMERISOL) Human reproductive / developmental toxin & possible carcinogen.

Mineral Oil: (paraffin oil, wax) Baby oil, cosmetics… Often used because it is extremely cheap. Petroleum by-product not absorbed but leaves a coating on the surface of the skin like plastic. This blocks the pores, preventing the release of toxins from the skin causing acne & infection. It also suppresses normal skin functions & cell development, resulting in premature aging of the skin. May be carcinogen. Avoid.

Parabens: (benzylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, methyparaben, propylbaraben…..)(also known as parahydroxy benzoates) Synthetic preservative used in MANY products even though it is known to be HIGHLY TOXIC! Parabens penetrate the skin easily & appear in the blood. Some enhance the skins absorption of other poisonous substances. Known endocrine disruptor, lowers male fertility, found in breast cancer tumors. Potential mutagen. AVOID !!

Petrolatum: (petroleum) Vaseline, many products… Mineral oil derivative used for its emollient properties. Extremely cheap. Used to retain moisture but actually dissolves the skins own natural oil, interfering with the bodys own moisturizing detoxifying mechanism leading to dryness, chapping, retention of toxins & aging. Creates and exacerbates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. May be carcinogenic.

Phthalates (dibutyl & diethyl): hairspray, nail polish, air fresheners, perfumes, plastic wrap, plastic containers.. Group of synthetic industrial chemicals linked to reproductive damage. Especially dangerous to fetuses. Linked to testicular cancer, hormonal disruption, & reduce male fertility problems. Of 289 people recently tested, all had phthalates in their bodies, stored in body fat where is can cause damage to the kidneys, liver & reproductive organs. Pregnant women should AVOID ! Banned in Europe - Very hazardous----extremely TOXIC

Placenta: hair relaxers, moisturizers, toners.. Enhances the body’s production of progesterone, estrogen & other hormones. This interferes with the normal function and can lead to serious health problems including breast cancer.

Propylene Glycol: humectant found in make-up, shampoo, conditioner, face creams & cleansers, lipstick, lipgloss, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash… (related ingredents can be seen on label as PEG/PPG) Propylene Glycol is a petroleum derivative, found in “industrial antifreeze” and the major ingredient in antifreeze, brake & hydraulic fluids and PEG is in oven cleaners. It is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats. Used to break down protein & cellular structure. Penetrates the skin quickly, is an absorption enhancer and may alter the skins moisture barrier leaving it vulnerable to bacteria. PG is a strong skin & eye irritant, causing hives, eczema and can cause depression. Neurotoxin-can cause brain, liver & kidney abnormalities. Concentration in stick deodorants is higher in concentration than is allowed for most industrial use. AVOID !

PVP/PVA Copolymers: hairspray, styling aids, mascara, shampoos, lacquers, creams, cosmetics….. Petroleum derived chemical. Toxic when particles are inhaled into the lungs of sensitive persons. May cause lung & kidney damage. May stay in the body for months or years. Caused tumors in rats when given intravenous doses.

Rancid Natural Emollients: Natural oils in cosmetics should be “cold pressed”. The refined oils in products devoid it of nutrients, essential fatty acids, vitamins & valuable skin conditioning agents. They also now contain poisonous “trans” fatty acids as a result of this refining process. Rancid oils are harmful, they form free radicals which damage and age the skin !!

Shellac: binder in mascara, nail polish, hair lacquer Resin secreted by insects usually from India. Irritant, may cause contact dermatitis.

Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate (SLS): Cleansing & foaming agent. Found in 90% of shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, toothpaste, cosmetics… Cheap & harsh detergent. Related compounds found in car wash soap, garage floor cleaners & engine degreasers. It is often disguised in “semi-natural” cosmetics with the explanation “comes from coconuts”, but this is derived using sulphuric acid that is often a coal mining waste product. Causes eye irritation, skin rashes, eczema & dandruff. One study indicates that SLS is systemic and can penetrate and remain in the eye, brain, heart & liver with potential long-term effects. It can retard healing, cause cataracts & keep children’s eyes from developing properly. When mixed with other chemicals, becomes carcinogenic. AVOID!

Talc: baby/foot powder, eye shadow,blush, foundation Talc can be contaminated with asbestos, making it a carcinogen. Linked to uterine, ovarian & lung cancer. Particles can cause acute respiratory problems in infants and even death. NEVER USE ON BABIES !! Suffocates the skin and accentuates lines.KNOWN CARCINOGEN.

Toluene: (solvent) nail polish Irritant to eyes, skin & respiratory tract. Toxic to reproductive & developmental systems. Overexposure may cause fatigue, confusion, headaches, dizziness & drowsiness. Long term exposure may cause liver damage. POISON-TOXIC-AVOID !!

Triclosan: (antibacterial agent) Anti-bacterial soaps, deodorant soaps, vaginal sprays, cosmetics, drugs, & household products. Used to prevent infection. Researchers claim Triclosan is capable of forcing the emergence of “superbugs” it cannot kill. Registered with the FDA as a pesticide, it is a hormone disrupter, and has been linked to cancer. Long term exposure to pesticide products can cause liver, kidney & heart damage. Also suppresses the immune system, can cause paralysis, sterility & brain hemorrhages. AVOID!

UREA (Diazolidinyl & Imidazolidinyl): preservative & penetration enhancer. Liquid antiperspirants, mouthwash, hand cream, lotions, shampoos. Used in yeast food & wine production. Used to “brown” baked goods such as pretzels. Largest use is as a fertilizer A product of protein metabolism extracted from human urine. Strong irritant. Per the American Academy of Dermatology, Ureas are the primary cause of contact dermatitis. Overexposure can cause joint pain, allergies, headaches, depression, chest pain, dizziness, weaken the immune system and cancer. Toxic if inhaled. Releases formaldehyde which is carcinogen. HIGHLY TOXIC !!!!