THE DIRTY DOZEN...Ingredients to AVOID in personal care
products:What you put on your skin can go into your
body to affect your health and sense of
well-being - either negatively or positively.
You can choose which . . . if you know the facts
(which the "cosmetic conspiracy" wants to
hide from you). As our body's biggest organ,
your Skin is your most important immune
defense barrier as well as your largest organ
for eliminating waste. Commercial products
with harmful petroleum ingredients can
plasticize and "constipate" your skin,
making germs more likely to get in and
toxins less likely to get out of your body.
The result: Neither you nor your skin are
as radiant and healthy as you could be!
Every day we use products that we think
are safe; but the truth is that products are
NOT always safe - and manufacturers don't
have to tell us so. Ever since 1938 - when
the PDA granted self-regulation to the
cosmetics industry - such products can be
marketed without government approval of
ingredients, regardless of what tests show.
Most of the 25,000 chemicals used have
not been tested for long-term toxic effects.
In a typical day, you might be exposed to
over 200 different chemicals, many of which
are suspected of causing cancer or juggling
hormones. EPA tests conclude that
ingredients in shampoos, dyes, and other
personal care products "maybe playing
havoc with hormones that control
reproduction and development.
START CHECKING ALL PRODUCT LABELS:AVOID THESE HARMFUL, HAZARDOUS 'TOUCH-ME-NOT" INGREDIENTS!Propylene Glycol (PG)
and Butylene Glycol:Found in Anti-freeze. Acts as a
"surfactant11 (wetting agent and solvent).
Penetrates skin and weakens protein and
cellular structure. Strong enough to remove
barnacles from boats! The EPA considers
PG so toxic that workers are required to
wear protective clothing and to dispose of
PG by burying it in the ground. PG
penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA
warns against contact to prevent 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.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
& Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES):Detergents that pose serious health threats.
Used in garage floor cleaners and engine
degreasers - and in 90% of personal-care
products that foam. Animals exposed to
SLS experience eye damage, depression,
labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin
irritation, and even death. Young eyes
may not develop properly if exposed to
SLS. May damage the skin's immune
system. Can be transformed into
nitrosamines, a potent class of
carcinogens. Your body may retain
the SLS for up to five days and maintain
residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs,
and brain.
DEA (diethanolamine).
MEA (Monoethanolaniine)
& TEA (triethanolamine):Hormone-disrupting chemicals that can form
cancer-causing nitrates. Restricted in Europe
due to carcinogenic effects, yet they are still
used in the U.S. Americans may be exposed
10-20 times per day with shampoos, shaving
creams and bubble baths. Dr. Samuel Epstein
(Professor of Environmental Health at the
University of Illinois) says that repeated
applications of DEA-based detergents result
in major increase in liver and kidney cancer.
The PDA's John Bailey says, "the risk is
significantly increased for children."
Sodium Hydroxide:The most recent addition to our personal care
products. This is a poison (caustic lye) found in
drain cleaners, yet is now found in our children
and adult toothpaste!
Triclosan:Synthetic "antibacterial" with a chemical
structure similar to Agent Orange! The EPA
registers it as a pesticide, giving it high scores
as a risk to human health and the environment.
It is in a class of chemicals suspected of causing
cancer in humans. It may produce dioxin, a
hormone-disrupting chemical with toxic effects
measured in the parts per trillion; that is only
one drop in 300 Olympic-size swimming pools!
Hormone disrupters pose enormous long term
chronic health risks. It can change genetic
material, decrease fertility and sexual function,
and foster birth defects. Internally, it can lead
to cold sweats, circulatory collapse, and
convulsions. Stored in body fat, it can
accumulate to toxic levels, damaging the liver,
kidneys and lungs, and can cause paralysis,
brain hemorrhages and heart problems. Tufts
University School of Medicine says Triclosan
can force the emergence of "super bugs" that
it cannot kill. Its widespread use in antibacterial
cleansers, toothpastes and household products
may have nightmarish implications on future
generations.
DMDM & Urea (Imidazolidinyl):Two of many preservatives that often release
formaldehyde which cause joint pain, skin
reactions, allergies, depression, headaches,
chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue,
dizziness, and loss of sleep. Exposure also
irritates the respiratory system; triggers
heart palpitations or asthma, and aggravates
coughs and colds. Other side effects include
weakening the immune system and cancer.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): Carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that
reduces the skin's natural moisture.
Increases the appearance of aging and
leaves you vulnerable to bacteria. Used
in spray-on oven cleaners and cleansers
to dissolve oil and grease.
Liutane or Propane:Found in aerosol products. May be
narcotic and cause asphyxiation.
Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40):Drying, irritating solvent that strips
skin's moisture and immune barrier,
making you vulnerable to bacteria and
viruses. Made from a petroleum
derivative found in shellac and antifreeze
as well as personal care products.
Promotes brown spots and premature
aging. A Consumer's Dictionary of
Cosmetic Ingredients says it may cause
headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental
depression, nausea, vomiting, and coma.
Fatal ingested dose is one ounce or less.
Mineral Oil: Petroleum by-product that coats the
skin like plastic wrap, 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.
Baby oil is 100% mineral oil!
FD&C Color Pigments:Synthetic colors from coal tar that deposits
toxins onto the skin, causing skin irritation.
Absorption of certain colors can cause
depletion of oxygen in the body and death.
Animal studies have shown almost all of
them to be carcinogenic.
Fragrances:Can contain up to four thousand ingredients
(including animal urine), many toxic or
carcinogenic. Causes headaches, dizziness,
allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent
coughing, vomiting, and skin irritation.
Fragrances affect the nervous system,
causing depression, hyper activity,
irritability, inability to cope, and other
behavioral changes.
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