For years, I’ve carried around a list from the GREEN GUIDE, a National Geographic service, on the most toxic ingredients found in personal-care products. I’ve based a lot of my buying decisions around this list.
The pocket guide I have is older, so it seems as though it isn’t available anymore for download on TheGreenGuide.com.
I did however find a page on the GREEN GUIDE’s Web site site that listed some but not all of the ingredients I have on my old pocket guide. So, below is the result of combining the two lists.
As outlined by the GREEN GUIDE, one exposure to any one of these chemicals is likely not of concern, but over time, the exposure can add up.
Remember, everything we put on our body is absorbed through our skin and ends up in our system.
On the Bad List
Following is a list of ingredients to avoid in your personal-care products:
1. Antibacterials: Overusing antibacterials can actually hinder the body’s ability to fight certain infectious germs. Triclosan is just one common antibacterial in toiletries.
2. Coal tar colors: A known human carcinogen, coal tar and coal tar colors such as FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Green 3, Yellow 5 and 6 and D&C Red 33 can be found in dandruff shampoos, anti-itch creams, mouthwash, toothpastes and more.
3. 1,4-Dioxane: This known animal carcinogen occurs within ingredients labeled PEG, -xynol, oleth and other “eth” ingredients. It’s also a known eye and lung irritant and is suspected of causing central nervous system damage.
4. Diethanolamine (DEA, also TEA): This ingredient acts as a foaming and emulsifying agent in products and is a possible hormone disruptor and carcinogen.
5. Formaldehyde (quaternium 15): Known as a respiratory irritant and toxic to the immune system, this ingredient shows up in nail polish, eyelash adhesive and hair dyes. This ingredient is a contaminant or breakdown of different forms of the ingredient urea (which happens to be derived from animal urine).
6. Fragrance: This broad term may mean it contains phthalates, which have many functions in personal-care products. High doses have been known to disrupt hormones and even cause birth defects.
7. Glycol ethers: Used in paints and brake fluid, glycol ethers are also found in products such as skin moisturizers, deodorants and more. This ingredient can have an adverse affect on the nervous system, kidneys and liver, and can cause dermatitis.
8. Hydroquinone: Neurotoxic and allergenic, this ingredient can be found in skin moisturizers.
9. Mercury and lead: Neurotoxic lead may appear in some toothpastes and hair dyes as a naturally occurring contaminant of the ingredient hydrated silica. Mercury may be found in some mascaras in the preservative thimerosal.
10. Methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl parabens: This is a common preservative that has been found to damage sperm formation in lab mice. Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen in the body. Estrogenic activity is linked with some forms of breast cancer and according to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Web site, some parabens are showing up in breast tumors.
11. Nanoparticles: Found in sunscreens and cosmetics, nanoparticals can damage brain cells. Watch out for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticals in sunscreens.
12. Petrolatum: Otherwise known as petroleum jelly. Petroleum. Need I say more? Oh, and it’s suspected to be linked to breast cancer.
13. Petroleum distillates: Banned in cosmetics in Europe but found in some U.S. mascaras and other products, these are possible human carcinogens and are also labeled as liquid paraffin.
14. Phenylenediamine (PPD): Also listed as 1,4-benzenediamine, p-phenyldiamine or 4-phenylenediamine, this chemical is often found in hair dyes and can cause allergic reactions, damage to the nervous system and lung irritation.
15. Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (SLS): Used as a foaming agent, SLS is a very common ingredient found in shampoos, soaps, toothpastes and more. It also contains the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane and is a known irritant to skin, eyes, etc. Can denature skin proteins, meaning it changes the natural qualities of the skin (and not in a good way).
16. Toluene: Found in synthetic fragrances, toluene derives from petroleum or coal tar and is a common solvent that can also be found in fragrances, nail polish and cosmetics. It can be labeled as benzoic or benzyl as well and is a potential carcinogen and endocrine disruptor.
Take Care in Choosing Personal-Care Products
It’s a strange world we live in when the items we buy to take care of our bodies contain ingredients that ultimately work against us.
When shopping for new personal-care products, here’s a tip: don’t assume a product is all natural just because it’s sold in natural food stores or even by the immediate claims on its label.
Always take a moment to scrutinize the ingredients before you buy. Knowing a bit about the company that makes the product doesn’t hurt, either.
Sometimes the best bet for assessing ingredients is: if you can’t pronounce it and don’t know what it is, don’t put it on your body.
Stay tuned for posts on common animal-derived ingredients in toiletries, and my favorite natural and organic personal-care products!
[...] may remember in the post “16 Ingredients to Avoid in Personal-Care Products,” that nanoparticles were something to watch out [...]
[...] You may find a slew of other nasty ingredients by comparing your lip balm, gloss or lipstick with the list of 16 Ingredients to Avoid in Personal-Care Products. [...]
Looks like I need to throw everything away in my bathroom and start over.. Note to self, bring glasses when shopping.