ok so here is a list of the Top Toxins you should avoid and why
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS):
- what is it: this is a detergent/ degreaser. it's what make your shampoos , body washes even toothpaste lather and foam...it's also found in dish soap, floor cleaners, and engine degreasers
- why is it bad: " Harsh skin irritant that may also result in the formation of potentially carcinogenic nitrates and dioxins."(www.ewg.org). Also according to the MSDS (material safety data sheet) on SLS " Potential Acute Health Effects : Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (sensitizer). Severe over-exposure can result in death.
Potential Chronic Health Effects:Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (sensitizer). CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. MUTAGENIC EFFECTS:
Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available.The substance may be toxic to skin. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.Repeated exposure to a highly toxic material may produce general deterioration of health by an accumulation in one or many human organs" - It pollutes are ground water (www.bubbleandbee.com)
- It emits toxic fumes when heated. Toxic Sodium Oxides and Sulfur Oxides are released when SLS is heated, '(like when you take a shower).(www.bubbleandbee.com)
- Also watch out for SLS ugly sister Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) this one is just as bad
- What is it: Parabens (ethyl-, methyl-, butyl- and propylparaben). " A widely used chemical preservative, parabens are used to extend a product's shelf-life." (www.ewg.com)
- Why it's bad? " Known to be toxic, causing many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Parabens are endocrine disrupters and may disturb the hormonal balance in the body. They have been found in breast cancer tumours, but it is not known if they played a part in causing the tumours." (www.ewg.com). parabens have also been found to mimic estrogen, which is risk factor for developing breast cancer.
- What is it: "Called a humectant (a substance that promotes moisture retention) in cosmetics, it is really industrial anti-freeze and the major ingredient in brake and hydraulic fluid. It absorbs quickly and is a penetration enhancer which means it increases the absorption of other ingredients through the skin." (www.ewg.com) so this can increase the absorption of toxins , such as parabens through the skin if your using a product that contains both these ingredients.
- Why it's bad: "Tests show it can be a strong skin irritant, causing allergic reactions and acne, and may cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage." (www.ewg.com)
- what is it: "comes from crude oil and is used in products as an emollient, giving "slip and slide" to a product. Popular because it is incredibly cheap. Also used by industry as metal-cutting fluid." (www.ewg.com)
- why it's bad: "Sits on the skin surface and may "suffocate" the skin by forming an oil film. May aggravate acne and slow down skin function, resulting in premature ageing. May be contaminated with cancer-causing PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)." (www.ewg.com)
- What is it: "Used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease, thicken products and act as a foaming agent. Also used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners." (www.ewg.com)
- why it's bad: "These compounds are a potentially carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that can alter and reduce the skin's natural moisture factor. Could increase the appearance of ageing and leave you more vulnerable to bacteria." (www.ewg.com)
- What is it: perfume gives fragrance to products
- Why it's bad: "Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic. Symptoms reported to the American Food and Drug Administration include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discolouration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Some may affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity and irritability." (www.ewg.com)
7. Phthalates:
- What is it: " called “plasticizers,” are a group of industrial chemicals used to make plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) more flexible or resilient and also as solvents. also found in toys, food packaging, hoses, raincoats, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, wall coverings, lubricants, adhesives, detergents, nail polish, hair spray and shampoo, " (www.ewg.com)
- Why it's bad: endocrine disruptor. "Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Endocrine system, Reproduction and fertility, Birth or developmental effects, Persistent and bioaccumulative, Brain and nervous system, Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)" (www.ewg.com)
8.Diethanolamine(DEA):
- What is it: "a chemical that is used as a wetting agent in shampoos, lotions, creams and other cosmetics. DEA is used widely because it provides a rich lather in shampoos and keeps a favorable consistency in lotions and creams."
- Why it's Bad: "DEA by itself is not harmful but while sitting on the stores shelves or in your cabinet at home, DEA can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic formula to form an extremely potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked with stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers." (www.preventcancer.com)
- What is it: is an antimicrobial formaldehyde releaser preservative.
- Why it's bad:" It is also a strong skin, eye, and lung irritant. It has also been known to trigger an immune response that can include burning, itching, blistering, or scaling of skin." (www.bumbleandbee.com)
- What is it:"is a carcinogenic impurity released by a number of cosmetic preservatives, including diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, and sodium hydroxylmethylglycinate." (www.ewg.com)
- Why it's bad: Known Carcinogen
- What is it: "1,4-dioxane is generated through a process called ethoxylation, in which ethylene oxide, a known breast carcinogen, is added to other chemicals to make them less harsh. This process creates 1,4-dioxane. For example, sodium laurel sulfate, a chemical that is harsh on the skin, is often converted to the less-harsh chemical sodium laureth sulfate (the “eth” denotes ethoxylation), which can contaminate this ingredient with 1,4-dioxane."
- Why it's bad: "Research shows that 1,4-dioxane readily penetrates the skin (vii). 1,4-dioxane is considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (viii) and listed as an animal carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program (ix). It is included on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known or suspected by the state to cause cancer or birth defects (x). The California Environmental Protection Agency also lists 1,4-dioxane as a suspected kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant. " (www.safecosmetics.org)
- What is it: "Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical found in many consumer products" (www.ewg.com) . This is found in hand soap, hand sanitizer , toothpaste etc.
- Why it's bad: "Triclosan is linked to liver and inhalation toxicity. Low levels of triclosan may disrupt thyroid function. Wastewater treatment does not remove all of the chemical. Triclosan ends up in lakes, rivers and water sources, where i is very toxic to aquatic life." (www.ewg.com)
- What is it: " Talc is a mineral, produced by the mining of talc rocks and then processed by crushing, drying and milling.Talc is the main ingredient in baby powder, medicated powders, perfumed powders and designer perfumed body powders. Because talc is resistant to moisture, it is also used by the pharmaceutical industry to manufacture medications and is a listed ingredient of some antacids." (www.preventcancer.com)
- Why it's bad: " Talc is closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos. Talc particles have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims." (www.preventcancer.com)