| 1,4-dioxane |
A carcinogenic contaminant of cosmetic
products. Almost 50% of cosmetics containing ethoxylated surfactants
were found to contain dioxane. See Ethoxylated surfactants
From Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS): |
| 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol) |
Toxic, causes allergic contact dermatitis. See Nitrosating agents |
| Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40) | A very drying and irritating solvent and dehydrator that strips your skin's natural acid mantle, making us more vulnerable to bacteria, moulds and viruses. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative. It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin. |
| Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES) |
See Anionic Surfactants See Sodium Laureth Sulfate See Nitrosating Agents |
| Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) |
See Anionic Surfactants See Sodium Laureth Sulfate See Nitrosating Agents |
| Anionic Surfactants | Anionic refers
to the negative charge these surfactants have. They may be contaminated
with nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. Surfactants can pose serious
health threats. They are used in car washes, as garage floor cleaners
and engine degreasers - and in 90% of personal-care products that foam.
|
| Benzalkonium Chloride |
Highly toxic, primary skin irritant. See Cationic surfactants
From Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS): |
| Butylated Hudroxyanisole (BHA) | Causes allergic contact dermatitis. |
| Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) | Causes allergic
contact dermatitis. Contains toluene. See Toluene |
| Cationic surfactants | These chemicals
have a positive electrical charge. They contain a quaternary ammonium
group and are often called "quats". These are used in hair conditioners,
but originated from the paper and fabric industries as softeners and
anti-static agents. In the long run they cause the hair to become dry
and brittle. They are synthetic, irritating, allergenic and toxic, and
oral intake of them can be lethal.
|
| Cetalkonium chloride | See Cationic surfactants |
| Cetrimonium chloride | See Cationic surfactants |
| Chloromethylisothiazolinone and | Causes contact dermatitis |
| Isothiazolinone |
Causes contact dermatitis From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): EYE CONTACT: CORROSIVE TO THE EYES WITH POSSIBLE PERMANENT DAMAGE. SKIN CONTACT: CORROSIVE TO THE SKIN, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN THIRD DEGREE BURNS. CAN BE HARMFUL IF ABSORBED. CAN CAUSE ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS IN SUSCEPTIBLE INDIVIDUALS. INGESTION: CAN BE FATAL. INHALATION: CAN BE CORROSIVE TO THE MUCOUS MEMBRANES AND THE LUNGS. CAN CAUSE AN ALLERGIC REACTION IN SUSCEPTIBLE INDIVIDUALS. |
| Cocoamidopropyl Betaine |
From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): CAN CAUSE EYE AND SKIN IRRITATION. |
| Cocoyl Sarcosine | See Nitrosating agents |
| Cyclomethicone | See Silicone derived emollients |
| DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (triethanolamine) |
Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH,
and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which
then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions
including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if
absorbed into the body over a long period of time. These chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. Dr. Samuel Epstein (Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois) says that repeated skin applications . . . of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer. From Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS): |
| Diazolidinyl urea |
Established as a primary cause of contact
dermatitis (American Academy of Dermatology). Contains formaldehyde, a
carcinogenic chemical, is toxic by inhalation, a strong irritant, and
causes contact dermatitis.
From Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS): SYMPTOMS OF INHALATION: IF MISTED, WILL CAUSE IRRITATION OF MUCOUS MEMBRANES, NOSE, EYES AND THROAT. COUGHING, DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING. SYMPTOMS OF SKIN CONTACT: CONTACT CAUSES SMARTING AND BURNING SENSATIONS, INFLAMMATION, BURNS, PAINFUL BLISTERS. PROFOUND DAMAGE TO TISSUE. SYMPTOMS OF EYE CONTACT: WILL CAUSE PAINFUL BURNING OR STINGING OF EYES AND LIDS, WATERING OF EYES, AND INFLAMMATION OF CONJUNCTIVA. |
| Dimethicone | See Silicone derived emollients |
| Dimethicone Copolyol | See Silicone derived emollients |
| Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate | See Anionic surfactants |
| Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate |
See Anionic surfactants See Ethoxylated surfactants |
| Disodium Oleamide Sulfosuccinate | See Anionic Surfactants |
| DMDM Hydantoin | Contains
formaldehyde. See Formaldehyde |
| Ethoxylated surfactants | Ethoxylated
surfactants are widely used in cosmetics as foaming agents, emulsifiers
and humectants. As part of the manufacturing process the toxic chemical
1,4-dioxane, a potent carcinogen, is generated. On the label, they are identified by the prefix "PEG", "polyethylene", "polyethylene glycol", "polyoxyethylene", "-eth-", or "-oxynol-". |
| FD&C Colour Pigments | Synthetic colours made from coal tar. Contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic. |
| Formaldehyde | Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen (causes cancer). Causes allergic, irritant and contact dermatitis, headaches and chronic fatigue. The vapour is extremely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat (mucous membranes). |
| Fragrance | Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to four thousand separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic. Symptoms reported to the USA FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Clinical observation proves fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, and irritability. |
| Hydrolysed Animal Protein | See Nitrosating agents |
| Imidazolidinyl urea | The trade name for this chemical is Germall 115. Releases formaldehyde, a carcinogenic chemical, into cosmetics at over 10C. Toxic. See Formaldehyde |
| Imidazolidinyl Urea | See Nitrosating agents |
| Lanolin | Any chemicals used on sheep will contaminate the lanolin obtained from the wool. The majority of lanolin used in cosmetics is highly contaminated with chlorinated organo pesticides like DDT. |
| Lauryl dimonium hydrolysed collagen | See Cationic surfactants |
| Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine | See Anionic Surfactants |
| Lauryl Sarcosine | See Nitrosating agents |
| Liquidum Paraffinum | Liquidum Paraffinum is an exotic sounding way to say mineral oil (!!) See Mineral Oil |
| MEA compounds | See Nitrosating agents |
| Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone | Both cause cosmetic allergies |
| Mineral Oil | Petroleum
by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores.
Interferes with skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and
other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development,
resulting in premature aging. Used in many products (baby oil is 100%
mineral oil!) Any mineral oil derivative can be contaminated with cancer
causing PAH's (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons). Manufacturers use
petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap.
|
| Nitrosating Agents | The following
chemicals can cause nitrosamine contamination, which have been
determined to form cancer in laboratory animals. There are wide and
repeated concerns in the USA and Europe about the contamination of
cosmetics products with nitrosamines.
|
| Paraben preservatives (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl) |
Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and
to extend shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are known
to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Highly
toxic.
From Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS): SKIN CONTACT: CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE REDNESS, ITCHING, AND PAIN. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN REACTIONS. EYE CONTACT: CAUSES IRRITATION, REDNESS, AND PAIN. |
| Paraffin wax/oil | Paraffin Wax is mineral oil wax. See Mineral Oil |
| Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) compounds | Potentially carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that can alter and reduce the skin's natural moisture factor. This could increase the appearance of aging and leave you more vulnerable to bacteria. Used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease. It adjusts the melting point and thickens products. Also used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners. See Ethoxylated surfactants |
| Potassium Coco Hydrolysed Collagen | See Anionic Surfactants |
| Propylene/Butylene Glycol |
Propylene glycol (PG) is a petroleum
derivative. It penetrates the skin and can weaken protein and cellular
structure. Commonly used to make extracts from herbs. PG is strong
enough to remove barnacles from boats! The EPA considers PG so toxic
that it requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles
and to dispose of any PG solutions by burying them in the ground.
Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin
contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver, and kidney
abnormalities. But there isn't even a warning label on products such as
stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than in most
industrial applications.
From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): INHALATION: May cause respiratory and throat Irritation, central nervous system depression, blood and kidney disorders. May cause Nystagmus, Lymphocytosis. SKIN: Irritation and dermatitis, absorption. EYES: Irritation and conjunctivitis. INGESTION: Pulmonary oedema, brain damage, hypoglycaemia, intravascular hemolysis. Death may occur. |
| PVP/VA Copolymer | A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, wavesets and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons. |
| Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, etc |
Toxic, causes skin rashes and allergic
reactions.
From Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS): MAY BE A WEAK SKIN SENSITIZER IN SUSCEPTIBLE INDIVIDUALS AT GREATER THAN 1% IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION. |
| Rancid Natural Emollients | Natural oils
used in cosmetics should be cold pressed. The refined vegetable oils
found on supermarket shelves and many health food stores which lack
colour, odour and taste are devoid of nutrients, essential fatty acids,
vitamins and unsaponifiables - all valuable skin conditioning agents!
They also contain poisonous "trans" fatty acids as a result of the
refining process. Another important factor to consider with creams made from plant oil is the use-by date. The most beneficial plant oils (like rosehip, borage and evening primrose oils) are polyunsaturated, which means they oxidise and go rancid fairly quickly (about 6 months). Most off-the-shelf cosmetics have a shelf life of three years. Rancid oils are harmful, they form free-radicals, which damage and age your skin. |
| Silicone derived emollients | Silicone
emollients are occlusive - that is they coat the skin, trapping anything
beneath it, and do not allow the skin to breathe (much like plastic wrap
would do.) Recent studies have indicated that prolonged exposure of the skin to sweat, by occlusion, causes skin irritation. Some synthetic emollients are known tumour promoters and accumulate in the liver and lymph nodes. They are also non-biodegradable, causing negative environmental impact.
|
| Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate | See Anionic Surfactants |
| Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES) |
When combined with other chemicals, SLES and
ALES can create nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens. It is
frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics with the explanation
"comes from coconut". See Anionic
Surfactants From Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS): |
| Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate | See Anionic Surfactants |
| Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) |
Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners
and engine degreasers - and in 90% of products that foam.
Animals exposed to SLS and ALS experience eye damage, central nervous system depression, laboured breathing, diarrhoea, severe skin irritation, and even death. Young eyes may not develop properly if exposed to SLS and ALS because proteins are dissolved. SLS and ALS may also damage the skin's immune system by causing layers to separate and inflame. It is frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics with the explanation "comes from coconut". See
Nitrosating agents From Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS): INSTILLATION OF A 29% SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE SOLUTION INTO THE EYES OF SIX ALBINO RABBITS PRODUCED SEVERE IRRITATION. THE MATERIAL WAS CLASSIFIED AS A SEVERE SKIN IRRITANT. |
| Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate |
See Nitrosating agents See Anionic Surfactants |
| Stearalkonium Chloride | A chemical used in hair conditioners and creams. Causes allergic reactions. Stearalkonium chloride was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, and is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which do help hair health. Toxic. |
| Talc | Scientific studies have shown that routine application of talcum powder in the genital area is associated with a three-to-fourfold increase in the development of ovarian cancer. |
| TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate |
Synthetic emulsifier. Highly acidic. Over
40% of cosmetics containing Triethanolamine (TEA), have been found to be
contaminated with nitrosamines, which are potent carcinogens.
From Material Safety Data
Sheet: Explanation Carcinogenicity: AMINES REACT WITH NITROSATING AGENTS TO FORM NITROSOAMINES, WHICH ARE CARCINOGENIC. |
| TEA compounds | See Nitrosating agents |
| Toluene |
From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): POISON! DANGER! HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. VAPOR HARMFUL. FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. MAY AFFECT LIVER, KIDNEYS, BLOOD SYSTEM, OR CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. INHALATION: INHALATION MAY CAUSE IRRITATION OF THE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT. SYMPTOMS OF OVEREXPOSURE MAY INCLUDE FATIGUE, CONFUSION, HEADACHE, DIZZINESS AND DROWSINESS. PECULIAR SKIN SENSATIONS (E. G. PINS AND NEEDLES) OR NUMBNESS MAY BE PRODUCED. VERY HIGH CONCENTRATIONS MAY CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS AND DEATH. INGESTION: SWALLOWING MAY CAUSE ABDOMINAL SPASMS AND OTHER SYMPTOMS THAT PARALLEL OVER-EXPOSURE FROM INHALATION. ASPIRATION OF MATERIAL INTO THE LUNGS CAN CAUSE CHEMICAL PNEUMONITIS, WHICH MAY BE FATAL. SKIN CONTACT: CAUSES IRRITATION. MAY BE ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. EYE CONTACT: CAUSES SEVERE EYE IRRITATION WITH REDNESS AND PAIN. CHRONIC EXPOSURE: REPORTS OF CHRONIC POISONING DESCRIBE ANEMIA, DECREASED BLOOD CELL COUNT AND BONE MARROW HYPOPLASIA. LIVER AND KIDNEY DAMAGE MAY OCCUR. REPEATED OR PROLONGED CONTACT HAS A DEFATTING ACTION, CAUSING DRYING, REDNESS, AND DERMATITIS. EXPOSURE TO TOLUENE MAY AFFECT THE DEVELOPING FOETUS. |