Synthetic Substances
The next time you're in a shop, read the ingredients list of as many different products as you can, shampoo, toothpaste, soap, perfume. How many of those ingredients could you understand and pronounce? Here are some of the toxic ingredients.
Parabens:
Methyl
Propyl
Butyl
Ethyl
About 98% of cosmetic products contain parabens which are endocrine disrupters; they can cause allergic reactions and disturb the hormone balance in your body because they are believed to act like the estrogen, the female hormone, and high levels of estrogen can cause some women to develop breast cancer. British researchers found traces of it in twenty women who had breast cancer!
Propylene Glycol:
PEG
This is one of the most common ingredients in cosmetics, many say it is a harmful and known to cause damage to the kidneys but a few believe it is safe to use. However, like with most of our cosmetic's chemical and toxic ingredients; the Material Safety Data Sheet for propylene glycol warns workers handling this chemical to avoid skin contact.
See the Material Safety Data Sheets for the substance below:
PEG
Sodium Lauryl:
Laureth Sulfate
This is one of the most common ingredients in cosmetics, many say it is a harmful and known to cause damage to the kidneys but a few believe it is safe to use. However, like with most of our cosmetic's chemical and toxic ingredients; the Material Safety Data Sheet for propylene glycol warns workers handling this chemical to avoid skin contact.
See the Material Safety Data Sheets for the substance below:
Laureth Sulfate
Diethanolamine, Triethanolamine, Monoethanolamine:
DEA
TEA
MEA
In 1999 a NTP (National Toxicology Program) found associations between cancer and tumors and the use of DEA (diethanolamine) and DEA related ingredients on the skin. Even with this information available the FDA "is still considering legal actions" a whole 20 years later.
TEA (Triethanolamine) has been linked to over alkalinity and is an irritant.
DEA and TEA are both known to combine with nitrates which form cancer causing nitrosamines, a chemical reaction happens either during the manufacturing or after the product is made, however nitrates however are not listed on labels so there's no way of knowing which of your products contain these cancer causing nitrosamines because it isn't required to be list on the label.
Diazolidinyl Urea:
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Formaldehyde is released by preservatives, exposure can cause joint pain, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections. chronic fatigue, dizziness, loss of sleep and has even caused cancer and has damaged DNA. About 20% of people will react to this substance. Its use has been banned in cosmetics in both Japan and Sweden
See the Material Safety Data Sheets for the substance below:
Urea
Stearalkonium Chloride:
Cola Quat
This is a fabric softener developed by the fabric industry, it's much cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which are actually beneficial to the hair and scalp. The CIR Expert Panel are reconsidering whether or not it is safe for use as it has been reported to cause allergic reactions.
Synthetic Colours:
FD&C (red)
D&C (yellow)
These synthetic colours are used to make cosmetics and hair dyes pretty with bright and vivid colours, however these should be avoided at any cost because these synthetic colours are carcinogenic (the high potential to cause cancer)! They are listed in ingredients as FD&C or D&C, followed by a colour and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6, or D&C Green No. 6.
Synthetic Fragrances:
Currently looking for names
There is no way to know what these fragrance chemicals are, since on the label it will simply read “fragrance” but it can indicate the presence of up to 4000 separate ingredients. These chemicals can cause health problems such as; headaches, dizziness, rashes, hyper pigmentation, triggers asthma, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation—the list goes on.
Talccum Powder:
Talc
Even though talc is a naturally occurring mineral, some reports have shown it to be carcinogenic when inhaled but in liquid formulations it seems to be minimal risk. Women who regularly use talc around the genital area are at increased risk for ovarian cancer. Many pediatricians now tell parents to not use talc on babies because it can cause respiratory distress which can cause death.
See the Material Safety Data Sheets for the substance below:
Talc
Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid:
EDTA
This chemical is found in bleach and foaming agents in detergents, it can irritate skin, cause rashes and mucous membranes.
See the Material Safety Data Sheets for the substance below:
EDTA
Petrolatum:
Petroleum Jelly
It's extremely cheap hence it’s widespread use and is also known as mineral oil jelly, liquid Vaseline, Paraffinum lLquidum and baby oil. . It can cause photosensitivity, prevents elimination of toxins from the body causing acne, and strips natural oils from the skin, causing chapping, dryness and premature aging.
Imidazolidinyl urea and DMDN hydantoin:
Currently looking for names
These preservatives are formaldehyde-forming and are the second most common preservatives after parabens that cause contact dermatitis. They can also cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, asthma, weakens the immune system and causes cancer.
See the Material Safety Data Sheets for the substance below:
DMDN
Lead:
Soft lead
Hard lead
Calcium lead
Lead is readily absorbed through our skin and accumulates in our bones, it is a known carcinogen, a hormone disruptor, it causes neurological damage as well as behaviour abnormalities. In larger accumulations lead can result in leg cramps, muscle weakness, numbness and depression.
It can be found in some hair dyes.
See the Material Safety Data Sheets for the substance below:
Lead
Nonylphenols:
Mixture of isomers
It can be found in some plastics, shaving creams, shampoos and hair colours. It is an estrogen-mimicking chemical and is used for its detergent properties. It can be created when certain chemicals commonly found in personal care products break down. Nonylphenols can be a component in polyvinylchloride (PVC), often found in acrylic nails. They are of such concern that many European countries are phasing them out and some manufacturers have voluntarily discontinued their use.
See the Material Safety Data Sheets for the substance below:
MSDS
Phenylenediamine:
OPD
1,2-Diaminobenzene
1,2-Phenylenediamine
Phenylenediamine can react with other chemicals to cause photosensitivity. It is a carcinogen and can cause eczema, bronchial asthma, gastritis, skin irritation and even death. It's found in permanent hair dyes, and the US Food and Drug Administration proposed warning labels on products, advising that this ingredient can penetrate skin and has been observed to cause cancer. If passed, beauty salons would have had to put up warning signs for their customers. The proposal was defeated by cosmetic lobbyists.