Our skin is our largest organ and yet one that is often most overlooked when it comes to our health. We put things on our skin constantly throughout the day whether it is in cosmetic form, antiperspirant, lotion, and soap. There are also other things that come into contact with our skin such as cleaning products, soaps and detergents.
In some cases our absorption rate is 100% and depending on where on the body these personal care products are applied, it can happen fast! If we are not careful, we can have chemicals entering our body at an alarming rate.
Here is a fantastic list of ingredients to watch out for taken from Dr. Frank Lipman M.D. Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Start Living Again
DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine): These three chemicals are hormone-disrupting chemicals that can form cancer-causing agents—research indicates a strong link to liver and kidney cancer. They are commonly found in shampoos, soaps, bubble baths, and facial cleansers.
Phthalates and Parabens: Banned by the European Union in 2003, phthalates and parabens are a group of chemicals commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. They keep hairsprays sticky and bacteria and fungus out of things like nail polish and perfume. Both have demonstrated themselves to be carcinogenic and particularly linked to breast cancer.
FD&C Color Pigments: Most FD&C color pigments are made from coal tar and studies show that almost all of them are carcinogenic. Many of these pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation, or even oxygen depletion in the blood. FD&C Red #4 is no longer available for use in foods because of a known threat to the adrenal glands and urinary bladder.
Fragrance: “Fragrance” is a euphemism for nearly 4,000 different ingredients. Most “fragrances” are synthetic and are either cancer-causing or otherwise toxic. Exposure to fragrances has been shown to affect the central nervous system. “Fragrances” are found in most shampoos, deodorants, sunscreens, skincare and body care products.
Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin: These are formaldehyde donors, which means that they are derivatives of the formaldehyde, which is what scientists and morticians use to preserve corpses and body parts. Remember dissecting frogs in school? These chemicals are linked to allergies, chest pain, chronic fatigue, depression, dizziness, ear infections, headaches, joint pain, loss of sleep, and can trigger asthma. They can weaken the immune system, and—surprise surprise—cause cancer. Imidazolidinyl Urea and DMDM Hydantoin are used in skin, body and hair products, antiperspirants, and nail polish.
Quaternium-15: Quarternium-15 commonly causes allergic reactions and dermatitis, and breaks down into formaldehyde. Quarternium-15 is used as a preservative in many skin and hair care products.
Isopropyl Alcohol: Isopropyl Alcohol is used in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotion, and aftershave lotions as well as in your car’s antifreeze and shellac! Scientists believe that it has the ability to destroy intestinal flora, leaving the body’s major organs open to parasites, and thus to cancers. Beyond attacking the intestinal flora, isopropyl alcohol can cause headaches, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, and coma.
Mineral Oil: Mineral oil is a petroleum derivative that coats the skin like Saran Wrap, which prevents the skin from breathing, absorbing, and excreting. It also slows the skin’s natural cell development, causing the skin to age prematurely. Note that baby oil is 100% mineral oil—and 100% bad for your baby’s sensitive skin.
PEG (Polyethylene Glycol): PEGs are most commonly used in spray-on oven cleaners and in many hair and skin products. PEG’s main fuctions are to dissolve oil and grease. Thus, on the body, they take the protective oils off the skin and hair, making them more vulnerable to other toxins.
Propylene Glycol: Propylene Glycol is the active ingredient in antifreeze. It is also used in makeup, toothpaste, and deodorant. Stick deodorants have a higher concentration of PG than is allowed for most industrial use! Direct contact can cause brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. The EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing, and goggles when working with it. And yet, the FDA says we can put it in our mouths!
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are the most toxic ingredients on this list. When used in combination with other chemicals, they can form nitrosamines, a deadly class of carcinogen. They are used to clean engines, garage floors, and at car washes. AND still the most popular ingredients for makeup, shampoo and conditioner, and toothpaste. Exposure causes eye damage, depression, diarrhea, and many other ailments.
Triclosan: Triclosan is synthetic antibacterial ingredient used in soaps and disinfectant gels that has been compared to Agent Orange. The Environmental Protection Agency registers it as a pesticide, highly toxic to any living organism. It is also classified as a chlorophenol. In other words, it is in a cancer-causing chemical class. Triclosan disrupts hormones, can affect sexual function and fertility, and may foster birth defects. Triclosan has been linked to paralysis, suppression of the immune system, brain hemorrhages, and heart problems. It is widely used in antibacterial cleansers, toothpaste, and household products.
Talc: Talc has been linked to ovarian and testicular cancer. It can be found in makeup, kids and adult powders, and foundation.
Petrolatum: Petrolatum is a petrochemical that contains two well-known carcinogens: Benzo-A-Pyrene and Benzo-B-Fluroanthene. As you might imagine from a petroleum derivative, petrolatum prevents the skin from breathing and excreting.
What can we do? First learn what is in your personal care items. Second, learn what those ingredients are and how they affect your body as well as the health of your loved ones. Third, find an alternative when necessary.
I personally love the products from Nature Rich in Maple Grove, MN. They have soap, shampoo as well as bath products and lotions. Their story is one built out of necessity when the wife learned she had cancer. They were unable to find products that they felt comfortable with so created a line and filled the need.
Please take a moment and share this article with someone you care about. Post it on your social media. The more knowledge that is out there, the more people will call for alternatives.
And as always, schedule an appointment with me to learn how your body is responding to your personal care items. Nutrition Response Testing will tell you what your body is reacting to. From there we can know the next steps, supplements you can use to counteract and heal and some possible options for alternatives.
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