Your skin is your largest organ. What you apply to this organ on a daily basis is absorbed into your body and into your blood stream. Everyday we apply toiletries and cosmetics to our skin without thinking about what these products may contain.

Did you know many of your top dollar, high end, face creams are made from ingredients such as
slaughterhouse waste chemicals found in engine degreasers, metal polish and toilet bowl cleanser?

Parabens, Propylene Glycol, DEA, Phthalates are common ingredients found in most all cosmetic products. The truth of the matter is these chemicals that we may never pay much attention to can wreak havoc with our skin and our health.
With a growing number of cancers surfacing along with other issues such as allergies,hormone/ infertility problems and many surface skin problems (eczema, acne, dermatitis, psoriasis) we need to start asking ourselves, "What exactly are we putting on our skin?"

We can no longer think of the skin as an impermeable shield. As nicotine and birth control patches have demonstrated, the skin is a permeable barrier subject to the harmful chemicals we place on it. There is little if any investigating done by the FDA on chemicals used in cosmetics and toiletries. Many well known cosmetic companies are selling products with known toxic chemicals such as lead, formaldehyde, phthalates, and other nasty chemicals in them.

​

We can no longer think of the skin as an impermeable shield. As nicotine and birth control patches have demonstrated, the skin is a permeable barrier subject to the harmful chemicals we place on it. There is little if any investigating done by the FDA on chemicals used in cosmetics and toiletries. Many well known cosmetic companies are selling products with known toxic chemicals such as lead, formaldehyde, phthalates, and other nasty chemicals in them.
Scientists caution that hormone disrupting chemicals may lurk in cosmetics, these chemicals could lower our immunity to disease and cause neurological and reproductive damage. Many of these chemicals have caused cancer in lab rats and in some documented cases, humans.
 

When drums of the chemical propylene glycol are delivered to cosmetic manufacturers the MSDS (material Safety Data Sheet) alerts workers, "to avoid contact with skin."It is interesting to note that Propylene Glycol is known to inhibit skin cell growth and can directly alter cell membranes, yet it is used by the most lavish companies in their most expensive skin creams that claims to rebuild skin cells and rejuvenate your skin!! This ingredient is used in everything from baby products to toothpaste!

We need to get back to nature! The practice of using flowers, herbs, natural oils and butters the way God intended, and quit killing ourselves slowly with this chemical and synthetic obsessed market!

Beware of the new fad "Green Washing". Many mainstream companies are becoming aware of the "green" movement and have jumped on the bandwagon, advertising their products as "Natural" simply by adding natural extracts to their chemical filled product. These are still toxic products and should be avoided.
Many of us are just not aware of what the effects of each of these chemicals are and what they do to our health, educate yourselves contact your product manufacturer if you are unsure what an ingredient is. Above all using products from nature protects our earth and our overall health.

​

​

We have compiled a list of well known chemicals to avoid (when checking labels look for these, although there are 100's not listed these are the known worst

• COAL TAR COLORS-can contain a number of toxins such as benzene,xylene, naphthalene, phenol, and creosol. Coal tar is poisonous in its pure state and almost all these colors have been shown to cause cancer.

• FORMALDEHYDE- can be found in shampoos, nail polish, soap and hair growth preparations. Hydantoins and surfactants such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate may contain formaldehyde even when it's not listed on the label. It has been found to cause cancer in laboratory results and can it has been found to damage DNA.

• LEAD- in any form is poisonous. It can be found in hair dyes and everything to mascara from major manufacturers found at your grocery store. It is a known carcinogen and hormone disrupter.

• NITROSAMINES-  are formed when otherwise safe chemicals are combined. The resulting carcinogen can contaminate shampoo or other products where this chemical reaction occurs. Although these will not be directly written on the product label they can be found in diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), monoethanolamine (MEA), Formaldehyde, Sodium lauryl(laureth) sulfates. These ingredients are often combined with other synthetic chemicals such as cocamide-DEA, or TEA lauryl sulfate.

• PHENYLENEDIAMINE- found mostly in hair dyes, very harmful to inhale or come in contact with skin. It has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals. It is also frequently used by beauty salons.

• PROPYLENE GLYCOL- an ingredient used in anti-freeze and brake fluid is a cheap alternative to Vegetable Glycerin. This chemical is a known Nero-toxin by the NIOSH (national institute for occupational safety and health) and recent studies have tied it to contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities. It also inhibits skin growth, directly altering cell membranes.

• QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS- are used as preservatives surfactants, and germicides. All quaternary compounds can be toxic, depending on the concentration and dose. Originally used as a fabric softener, they can make hair and skin feel soft immediately after use but in the long run, repeated use will zap moisture from skin cells leaving hair and skin dry and flaky. STAY AWAY FROM ALL QUATS! Some may release formaldehyde and are known to cause contact dermatitis.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- is found in 90% of all shampoos as well as skin creams and toothpastes. Sodium Lauryl is a known skin irritant and damages the skin barrier function, enhancing allergic reactions to other toxins and allergens as well as altering skin cells.

• TALC- is a known carcinogen. If used in the genital area can increase the risk of ovarian cancer three fold.

• PARABENS- as we are now finding out there is a possible link between this preservative and some cancers.

​

Honorable mentions to avoid.........

FD&C color pigments- coal tar colors (see above)
FRAGRANCE (usually synthetic)
IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA & DMDM HYDANTONIN-known to cause contact dermatitis according to the American Academy of Dermatology and can also release formaldehyde
PETROCHEMICALS-propyl-, methyl-, eth-, or ene-, isoprpyl alcohol and mineral oil.
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL-can be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane a potential carcinogen that can penetrate the skin.    

We hope this has given you some insight to the dangers of some commercial products and why we should use products made from nature!

For further reading check the books

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS by KIM ERICKSON
PURE SKIN ORGANIC BEAUTY BASICS by BARBARA CLOSE
NATURAL ORGANIC HAIR AND SKIN by AUBREY HAMPTON

CHECK THESE WEBSITES TO SEE IF THE PRODUCTS YOU CURRENTLY USE AND LOVE ARE LISTED... I PROMISE YOU WILL BE SHOCKED!!!!!!

 

                                                                                notjustaprettyface.org
                                                                           cosmeticsafetydatabase.org