Neways Non Toxic Products:
10 Synthetic Cosmetic Ingredients To AVOID
by Aubrey Hampton
If you want natural products, you have to be
willing to search them out, to learn to read
labels, and to refuse to settle for half-natural hair and skin care. Below I've listed and
described my "ten most wanted"- the ten chemicals I most want to see off the labels of
so-called natural hair and skin care products.
labels, and to refuse to settle for half-natural hair and skin care. Below I've listed and
described my "ten most wanted"- the ten chemicals I most want to see off the labels of
so-called natural hair and skin care products.
1. IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DIAZOLIDINYL UREA - These are the most commonly
used preservatives after the parabens. They are well established as a primary cause of
contact dermatitis (American Academy of Dermatology). Two trade names for these
chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. Neither of the Germall chemicals have a
good antifungal, and must be combined with other preservatives. Germall 115 releases
formaldehyde at just over 10°. These chemicals are toxic.
used preservatives after the parabens. They are well established as a primary cause of
contact dermatitis (American Academy of Dermatology). Two trade names for these
chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. Neither of the Germall chemicals have a
good antifungal, and must be combined with other preservatives. Germall 115 releases
formaldehyde at just over 10°. These chemicals are toxic.
2. METHYL, PROPYL, BUTYL, and ETHYL PARABEN - 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. Methyl paraben
combines benzoic acid with the methyl group of chemicals. Highly toxic.
3. PETROLATUM - I see this on lip products from time to time, which is
humorous to
me because they're usually advertised as protecting the lips from sunburn, chapping
and so forth. Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly, and mineral oil causes a lot of problems
when used on the skin&emdash;it can produce photosensitivity (i.e., promotes sun
damage), and it tends to interfere with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism,
leading to dry skin and chapping. You are being sold a product that creates the very
conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is
unbelievably cheap.
me because they're usually advertised as protecting the lips from sunburn, chapping
and so forth. Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly, and mineral oil causes a lot of problems
when used on the skin&emdash;it can produce photosensitivity (i.e., promotes sun
damage), and it tends to interfere with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism,
leading to dry skin and chapping. You are being sold a product that creates the very
conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is
unbelievably cheap.
4. PROPYLENE GLYCOL - Ideally this is a vegetable glycerine mixed with
grain
alcohol, both of whichare natural. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a
humectant. Has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions.
alcohol, both of whichare natural. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a
humectant. Has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions.
5. 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.
and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles may contribute to
foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons.
6. SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE - This synthetic substance is used in shampoos for
its
detergent and foam-building abilities. It causes eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss,
scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions. It is frequently disguised in
pseudo-natural cosmetics with the parenthetic explanation "comes from coconut".
detergent and foam-building abilities. It causes eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss,
scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions. It is frequently disguised in
pseudo-natural cosmetics with the parenthetic explanation "comes from coconut".
7. 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.
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.
8. SYNTHETIC COLORS - The synthetic colors used to supposedly make a
cosmetic
"pretty" should be avoided at all costs, along with hair dyes. They will be labeled as
FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C
Green No. 6. Synthetic colors are believed to be cancer-causing agents. If a cosmetic
has them in it, don't use the cosmetic.
"pretty" should be avoided at all costs, along with hair dyes. They will be labeled as
FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C
Green No. 6. Synthetic colors are believed to be cancer-causing agents. If a cosmetic
has them in it, don't use the cosmetic.
9. SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES - The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can
have
as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on
the label it will simply say "Fragrance". Some of the problems caused by these
chemicals are headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing,
vomiting, skin irritation, and the list goes on. Advice: Don't buy a cosmetic that has the
word "Fragrance" on the ingredients label.
as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on
the label it will simply say "Fragrance". Some of the problems caused by these
chemicals are headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing,
vomiting, skin irritation, and the list goes on. Advice: Don't buy a cosmetic that has the
word "Fragrance" on the ingredients label.
10. 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.
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.
To summarize: Look for natural ingredients in the products you buy. Do not
use
cosmetics that are artificially colored. Is the shampoo green or blue? Very likely it
contains a coal-tar color. Does the product contain a synthetic fragrance? Don't use it.
Are any of the chemicals listed above on the ingredients label? Don't use it. You may
find out that some of your allergic problems will suddenly go away when you no longer
use cosmetics with synthetics and petrochemicals.
cosmetics that are artificially colored. Is the shampoo green or blue? Very likely it
contains a coal-tar color. Does the product contain a synthetic fragrance? Don't use it.
Are any of the chemicals listed above on the ingredients label? Don't use it. You may
find out that some of your allergic problems will suddenly go away when you no longer
use cosmetics with synthetics and petrochemicals.