The Top Ten Personal Care Product Ingredients to Avoid
By Rachel Anne Nemetz
Ingredients used in personal care products today are linked to reproductive trouble, hormonal imbalance, and even cancer. There is money in the production and sale of these chemicals. They function as preservatives, and create uniform product consistency. Health care costs associated with0their long-term use, costs this country billions yearly. Let’s look at one simple step to ensuring better health: choosing better personal care products.
Every day items, like, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and deodorant contain ingredients that have not been proven safe, or are already on the carcinogen list. Carcinogens are cancer-causing chemicals. Most people are ignorant of this fact, not knowing the aluminum in their antipersperant may trigger alzheimer's when absorbed into their bodies over time. People unknowingly poison themselves daily with the toxic ingredients in hairspray, fingernail polish, and makeup.
Something can be done about this. Simply boycott products containing the ingredients that are harmful. People need to take control of their own government and make stricter standards for the industries that are poisoning humanity. The European Union sets a good example of this by requiring labeling for Genetically Engineered food, and outlawing carcinogenic ingredients in personal care products. In America, it will take time for change.
This is easier said then done. Even products found in the health food store can have questionable ingredients. One really has to know their stuff. So here's an easy way to do it. Make a list of the most damaging chemicals, write it on an index card to take to the store with you, and eventually put it to memory. Scan for these ingredients in the products at the store. Some of the chemicals to avoid are listed in the box labeled Top Ten Personal Care Product Ingredients to Avoid.
The best advice is not to freak out about the fact that many products contain cancer causing or health negating chemicals. Don't get rid of everything right away. Slowly, phase products out of the house, replacing each empty bottle with one not containing these harmful chemicals. Remember to use common sense and make an educated decision on what products to buy and use. Look at products individually. If a product has mostly natural ingredients with only one "bad" chemical, some might allow it into the medicine cabinet if the product performs well overall. Happy shopping!
Top 10 Personal Care Product Ingredients to Avoid
Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) - A foaming agent used to create soap lather, SLS causes skin cancer in lab rats, as well as contact dermititis, itchy scalp, and rashes in humans.
FD&C Colors - Used as coloring agents in makeup, most synthetic colors are proven carcinogens.
Pthalates - A softening agent in plastics, nail polish, hairspray and fragrance carrier, pthalates are endocrine disruptors that upset the natural balance of hormones. They cause fertility issues, birth defects, and lower sperm count. Often unlisted, they hide under other name Fragrance, and PVC. Look for pthalate-free on nail polish labels.
Propoline Glycol - Synthetic chemical used as the main ingredient in anti-freeze and also as a humectant in skin care lotions. It causes skin reactions, such as hives and eczema.
Petrolatum, Mineral oil & petroleum jelly - Used as emollients in lip products, makeup, and lotions, this comes from petroleum, the same thing we put in our cars. It suffocates the skin without benefits, and is commonly found to clog pores.
Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben – Synthetic carcinogenic preservatives that are known to cause skin irritation. Parabens have an estrogenic effect on the body when absorbed by the skin.
Stearalkonium Chloride - Ammonia derivative developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, usually found in hair conditioner.
DEA & TEA - Diethanolamine & Triethanolamine - Ammonia compounds and toxic ingredients used as foaming agents. They are known to cause eye irritation, allergic reactions, skin or hair dryness, and become carcinogenic when mixed with nitrates.
PVP/VA Copolymer - is a petroleum derived chemical found in hairsprays that is dangerous to inhale.
Formaldahyde - a known carcinogen, is hidden under many names on personal care item ingredient lists. Watch out for: Quaternium-15, Bronopol, Imidazolidinyl or Diazolidinyl Urea, Germall II or 115, DMDM Hydantoin.
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