Ingredients to avoid

Below is a helpful chart that explains the "Toxic Twelve" ingredients to avoid

In addition to the chart, I provided more detail about each one and added a few more I think should be on the list.

1. Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, and Propyl) - used in many cosmetic products as a preservative. Parabens are major hormone disrupting chemicals. Parabens have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues.

2. Sulfates (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate SLS and Sodium Laureth Sulfate SLES) - these are strong detergents. They are found in 90% of beauty and hair products that foam. They are also found in car wash, garage floor cleaners, and engine degreasers. Why? Because it's the cheapest way to create foam. Sulfates are linked to eye damage, depression, diarrhea, and skin irritation. Our bodies retain sulfates for a long period of time. 

3. Glycol (Propylene and Butylene) - there are several forms of glycol in skincare products. Anti-freeze is also a form of glycol. Glycol is extremely toxic. One third of all skincare products contain a glycol without any warning on the label. Why? Because it's cheap. The EPA warns us not to dispose glycol in our soil, yet we smear it all over our bodies. 

4. Sodium Hydroxide - found in most toothpaste and in some soaps/cleansers. It's also found in Drano. It's a poison. I guess they think if it cleans your drains, it will do a good job on your teeth.

5. Triclosan - found in most anti-bacterial cosmetics. Triclosan is a synthetic anti-bacterial with a chemical structure similar to that of Agent Orange. The EPA registers Agent Orange as a
pesticide. Triclosan also may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

6. Fragrance - the main ingredient is animal urine. Fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress, and potential side effects on the reproductive system. They are also linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Fragrance is considered a trade secret so companies legally don't have to list the dozens or even hundreds of synthetic compounds it contains. Many cosmetics labeled "unscented" still contain fragrance so make sure you read the label!

7. Phthalates - used as a plasticizer in most nail care products and found in the plastic containers that cosmetics come in. Phthalates are also found in any product with a fragrance. Phthalates are linked to asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, diabetes, neurodevelpmemtal issue, behavioral I ssues, autism spectrum disorders, and reproductive development.

8. FD&C color pigments and synthetic colors - these synthetic colors are derived from petroleum and coal tar sources. They score highest on the toxic scale. 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 synthetic colors a human carcinogen and banned them. We still use them in the U.S.

9. PEG - used in many cosmetic cream bases. It's a carcinogen. It's linked to all forms of cancer. The higher the PEG number is on the label, the worse it is for you.

10. BHA/BHT - used in moisturizers and makeup as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disrupter and may be linked to cancer. Europe has banned BTA/BHT but we still use them here in the U.S.

12. DEA/MEA/TEA - used in creamy and foaming products such as shampoos and moisturizers. These are linked to kidney, liver, and breast cancer. DEA/MEA/TEA are restricted in Europe but we don't have any restrictions on them here in the U.S.

13. UREA/DMDM/Methenamine/Quartemium - these are preservatives used in a variety of cosmetics. They slowly release formaldehyde which causes cancer.

14. Petroleum - used a moisture barrier in lip balms, lip sticks, and moisturizers. It's also used in hair products to create shine. It may be linked to cancer.

15. Siloxanes/Methicone - these are used in cosmetics to soften, smooth, and moisten. They are endocrine disrupters and a reproductive toxicant.

16. Isopropyl Alochol - this ages and dries the skin. It promotes wrinkles and brown spots.

So there you have it. A list of harmful chemicals found in your everyday cosmetics. Be sure to look for these ingredients on the labels of your products.

What are "cosmetics"

What are cosmetics? Baby wipes, aftershave, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shaving cream, cleansers, makeup, hair care, etc. Any personal care product falls under the "cosmetic" category. 

Who regulates cosmetics? NO ONE! In 1938 the cosmetic industry was granted self-regulation. Nothing has changed since 1938. The FDA isn't even authorized to approve cosmetic ingredients. 

The U.S. federal government doesn't require health studies or pre-market testing on personal care products. Manufacturers are free to use almost any ingredient they choose. As a result, we are exposed to chemicals that cause: neurodevelopment disorders, lung, liver & kidney tumors, genital abnormalities, reproductive/infertility problems, skin allergies, learning disabilities and cancer. 

In the U.S., 80,000 ingredients are used in our cosmetics. Of those 80,000, only 200 have been tested for safety. Of those 200, only 11 ingredients have been banned by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel. Only 11!?!? In Europe, they have a much stricter regulatory environment. The Eurpoean Union has banned hundreds of ingredients. 

YOU need to be responsible for regulating what you buy, what you put on your skin, and you need to learn what chemicals to stay away from. 

Did you know our skin is our biggest organ? We absorb up to 60% of what we put on our skin. The average woman exposes herself to 167 chemicals on her body and face during her daily beauty regimen. The average for men is 100. Children's bodies absorb 40-50% more than adults. They are at higher risks for diseases later in life when exposed to toxins. Over 300 contaminants have been detected in the umbilical cord of newborns. 

I used to be a product whore. I loved buying different scrubs, masks, and cleansers. My shower was so full of product I had no where to put my leg up when I needed to shave. Sigh. My linen closet was just as bad. I had so many products in there I started to run out of room for towels. My makeup addiction was worse, how many different shades of pink lipstick does a girl need? 

These products contain chemicals, very harmful chemicals, that I slathered on my skin with every day. I never thought twice about what I put on my skin. I figured what they sold in the store was regulated and since it was ok to sell it, it would be ok to use it. Boy was I wrong. 

My eyelashes were my pride and joy. They were long, thick, and amazing. People always used to compliment me on them. My mascara of choice was Diorshow. Oh how I miss Diorshow. I had tubes of it everywhere, in my makeup bag, in my car, and in my office. I couldn't live without it. Then my lashes fell out. 

I went to my primary doctor, then to my dermotologist, then back to my primary doctor. I was finally given a prescription that cost $100 and had to be picked up from a compound pharmacy. It was a cream I applied to my lash line every night. My lashes started to grow back within a few days. Once I had stubs, I got Novalash extensions. These lasted until my eyelashes almost fully grew back. Phew. Now back to the Diorshow.

About eight months later, they fell out again. This time I didn't go to the doctor. Instead I started researching. I wanted to find out what could be causing this to happen. I read that castor oil is a hair growth stimulant. Castor oil is an all natural liquid laxative that has been around for years. I went to the store and bought it. I started applying it on my lash line at night. My eyelashes grew back. Faster and thicker than they did before.

While researching, I read article after article about how harmful the chemicals are in makeup. The more I read, the more I realized it wasn't just makeup. It's the face wash I use, the shampoo I use, the shave gel I use, and even my deodorant. I became obsessed with learning more. The more I read about it, the more product I started throwing away. I would go on vacations, read books, come home and throw out more products. 

What a difference two years makes. Now, my shower contains only seven products. Three of those seven products I made. The other four were purchased from chemical and toxin free companies. I don't wear mascara at all anymore. The only makeup I own is a pot of concealer, a pot of bronzer, one pink lipstick and one red lipstick.  I am an expert at reading labels. I know what chemicals to look for and stay away from. I educate my friends and I want to educate others, so I created this blog....