Making healthy choices about skin care and cosmetic products is equally as important as the choices we make about the food we eat. Our skin acts as a sponge, absorbing whatever is applied, which then enters our bloodstream and is absorbed by certain organs. It is important to read and understand the labels of the products you use. The following is a list of ingredients to avoid in skin care and cosmetics.
DEA, TEA: Used in products such as mascara, foundation and body wash as an emulsifier and/or foaming agent. Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found them to be a skin sensitizer and that they can form carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds in the skin or body after absorption if mixed with nitrosating agents. Scorecard.org has classified them as a respiratory toxin, neurotoxicity hazard and immunotoxicity hazard.
Listed on labels as: DEA, Diethanolamine, TEA, Triethanolamine.
Dibutyl Phthalate: Most often used in nail polish or treatment. Has been deemed a possible reproductive or developmental toxin, potential endocrine disruptor, skin sensitizer, immune system toxin, gastrointestinal or liver toxicant, kidney toxicant, and neurotoxin by EWG. The European Union has found it to be dangerous for the environment, very toxic to aquatic organisms and has banned it from use in cosmetics. The EPA Water Quality Standards Database states it is a priority water pollutant under the Clean Water Act and a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act.
Listed on labels as: Dibutyl Phthalate.
Formaldehyde: Used in nail treatment, EWG lists it as a known human carcinogen, skin and lung sensitizer, gastrointestinal or liver toxicant and neurotoxin.
Listed on labels as: Formaldehyde, Formalin.
Parabens: Widely used as a preservative to inhibit microbial growth in many products ranging from hand soap to toothpaste and also many foods. Has been assessed as hormonally active by the Cosmetics Ingredient Review. Appears to mimic estrogen in our bodies and has been found in breast tissue. EWG found parabens to be a possible endocrine disruptor, which could lead to impaired fertility or fetal development. Also found to be a skin sensitizer and skin or sense organ toxicant.
Listed on labels as: alkyl parahydroxybenzoate, butylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparabens.
Petrolatum: Otherwise known as petroleum jelly, it is a mineral oil derivative used as an emollient or lubricant in products such as lip balm and eye makeup. EWG found it to be potentially contaminated with impurities linked to cancer or other significant health problems. The European Union has banned petrolatum from use in cosmetics.
Listed on labels as: Petrolatum, petroleum jelly.
Propylene Glycol: Used as humectants (to retain moisture) in products ranging from moisturizers and shampoos to baby powder and contact lens cleaner. Found by EWG to be a penetration enhancer, which alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin, increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream. Found to be a skin sensitizer by National Library of Medicine Haz-Map. Scorecard.org deemed it a suspected respiratory toxin, immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity hazard.
Listed on labels as: Propylene Glycol, Proptylene Glycol, 1,2-Propanediol.
Related synthetics: PEG (polyethylene glycol) and PPG (polypropylene glycol).
Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate: Used as a surfactant (makes it foamy) in various products, such as shampoos, bubble bath and toothpaste. Has been deemed by EWG as a penetration enhancer, which alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin, increasing the amount of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream.
Listed on labels as: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Anhydrous Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Irium.
Talc: Used in products such as body powder, eye shadow and diaper cream, EWG found it to be potentially contaminated with harmful impurities linked to cancer or other significant health problems and a respiratory toxicant.
Listed on labels as: Talc, Talcum.
