The feedback from the last newsletter about the importance of “clean” cosmetics for yourself and your family has been enormous. Many of you asked to give a list of all poisonous ingredients used in cosmetics and home detergents. Here are some – not All – most frequently used poisons used as ingredients in lotions, gels, creams, shampoos, tooth pastes, detergents.
Check your cosmetic collection, detergents, tooth pastes, yummy-smelling bubble baths and deodorants for any of these poisons.
Acrylamide
Common Use: sewage and waste treatment, ore processing, permanent-press fabrics, synthesis of dyes, enhanced oil recovery, – to name a few.
Found in many hand and face creams. Linked to mammary tumors in lab research.
Acrylamide can be absorbed through unbroken skin, mucous membranes and lungs, and the gastrointestinal tract (Klaassen et al. 1986, Merck 1989).
Mineral Oil, Paraffin and Petrolatum
Common Use: protecting alkali metals, metal tools, weapons from oxidation (mineral oil does not absorb atmospheric moisture); preserving wood and conditioning leather products, ointments, baby lotions, cold creams, cosmetics, – to name a few.
These products coat the skin like plastic, clog pores, create a build-up of toxins, lead to dermatological diseases. Cells cannot function healthily with constant lack of nutrition which leads to earlier aging of your skin.
Parabens
Common Use: as preservatives in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food.
Parabens mimic estrogen, bind to the cellular estrogen receptor preventing real hormone to take its place. Parabens were proved to cause breast tumor cells (MCF-7 cells) to grow and thrive in vitro.
Phenol carbolic acid
Common Use: cosmetics, perfumes, adhesive dyes, lubricating oils, disinfectants, – to name a few.
Carbolic Acid can cause circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, coma and even death from respiratory failure.
Propylene glycol
Common Use: automotive antifreezes, as preservative in foods (fat-free ice-cream, sour cream!), cosmetics and toiletries, some baby wipes (!), shampoos, lipsticks, cleaners, santitizers, – to name a few.
Shown to cause dermatitis, inhibit skin cell growth, act as skin irritant and sensitizer.
Sodium Laurel or Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Common Use: garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers, detergents, cosmetic cleansers, hair shampoos, bath and shower gels, tooth pastes, – to name a few.
May cause hair loss by attacking the follicle. Dries skin by stripping away the protective lipids fromt he surface. SLS reacts with many types of ingredients used in skin produtcs adn forms Nitrosomines (nitrates) that are potential cancer-causing carcinogenics.
SLES is sometimes disguised with “comes from coconut” or “coconut-derived” labels.
Toluene
Common Use: as octane booster in gasoline fuels, in most synthetic fragrances, varnish, nail polish.
Causes eye irritation, nausea, dizziness, headaches.
Chronic exposure or high amounts can lead to anemia, birth defects, liver and kidney damage,developmental abnormalities.
Toluene may appear on ingredients labels as Phenylmethane, methylbenzene, or Toluol.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) contains toluene. Other names may include Benzoic and Benzyl. Harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
