Additional Resources
Some of the ingredients in your shampoo, sunscreen, lotion, makeup, soap, and household cleaning products could be causing you and your family:
- allergies
- infertility
- birth defects
- cancer
Please refer to the following websites for more information:
- The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
- Environmental Working Group
- EWG's Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database
- EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning
The following ingredients should be avoided:
- Coal Tar: A known carcinogen banned in the EU, but still used in North America. Used in dry skin treatments, anti-lice and anti-dandruff shampoos, also listed as a colour plus number, i.e. FD&C Red No. 6.
- DEA/TEA/MEA: Suspected carcinogens used as emulsifiers and foaming agents for shampoos, body washes, soaps. Ethoxylated surfactants and 1,4-dioxane: Never listed because it's a by-product made from adding carcinogenic ethylene oxide to make other chemicals less harsh. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found 1,4-dioxane in 57 percent of baby washes in the U.S. Avoid any ingredients containing the letters "eth."
- Formaldehyde: Probable carcinogen and irritant found in nail products, hair dye, fake eyelash adhesives, shampoos. Banned in the EU.
- Fragrance/Parfum: A catchall for hidden chemicals, such as phthalates. Fragrance is connected to headaches, dizziness, asthma, and allergies.
- Hydroquinone: Used for lightening skin. Banned in the UK, rated most toxic on the EWG's Skin Deep database, and linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity.
- Lead: Known carcinogen found in lipstick and hair dye, but never listed because it's a contaminant, not an ingredient.
- Mercury: Known allergen that impairs brain development. Found in mascara and some eyedrops.
- Mineral oil: By-product of petroleum that's used in baby oil, moisturizers, styling gels. It creates a film that impairs the skin's ability to release toxins.
- Oxybenzone: Active ingredient in chemical sunscreens that accumulates in fatty tissues and is linked to allergies, hormone disruption, cellular damage, low birth weight.
- Parabens: Used as preservatives, found in many products. Linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity.
- Paraphenylenediamine (PPD): Used in hair products and dyes, but toxic to skin and immune system.
- Phthalates: Plasticizers banned in the EU and California in children's toys, but present in many fragrances, perfumes, deodorants, lotions. Linked to endocrine disruption, liver/kidney/lung damage, cancer.
- Placental extract: Used in some skin and hair products, but linked to endocrine disruption.
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG): Penetration enhancer used in many products, it's often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens.
- Silicone-derived emollients: Used to make a product feel soft, these don't biodegrade, and also prevent skin from breathing. Linked to tumour growth and skin irritation.
- Sodium lauryl (ether) sulfate (SLS, SLES): A former industrial degreaser now used to make soap foamy, it's absorbed into the body and irritates skin.
- Talc: similar to asbestos in composition, it's found in baby powder, eye shadow, blush, deodorant. Linked to ovarian cancer and respiratory problems (even osmetic grade talc containing no asbestos-like fibers).
- Toluene: Known to disrupt the immune and endocrine systems, and fetal development, it's used in nail and hair products. Often hidden under fragrance.
- Triclosan: Found in antibacterial products, hand sanitizers, and deodorants, it is linked to cancer and endocrine disruption.
You may also like this colorful guide, courtesy of Natural Healthy Concepts: What Toxic Chemicals Is Your Body Absorbing? (Originally retrieved from www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/infographic-toxic-skin-p-infographics.html)
![What Toxic Chemicals Is Your Body Absorbing? [INFOGRAPHIC]](images/infographic-toxic-skin.jpg)
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