Dying to be Beautiful?

There are potentially harmful ingredients commonly used in products throughout the cosmetic and beauty industry. Everyday, most of us use a whole array of hair, skin, body and beauty products without ever asking whether they're safe or not. If we don't take the time to read the fine print, we have no idea whether they are good for us. Most of us assume the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has tight regulations on these products... but this is definitely not the case.

Almost all cosmetics can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals, revealed as irritation, mild redness, pimples or rashes. There are thousands of people who presently suffer from adverse effects and reactions from cosmetic products, and they don't realize the source of the problem. While many chemicals used in cosmetics never cause visible signs of toxicity on the skin, they do contain potent systemic toxins that can remain in the body for a very long time. When you consider that some of these products get applied day after day for decades, the potential for problems is very real.

The skin absorbs whatever it is put in contact with, similar to a sponge. There are hundreds of ingredients used in personal care products that are suspected or proven to be cancer-causing agents, carcinogens, irritants, dioxins, toxins and hormone disrupters. Over 90% of all ingredients in commercially available cosmetic products are of synthetic origin, and many of these ingredients may be associated with health risks. Over 90% of the chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. In 1991-1992, the FDA analyzed product samples and found that 65% of the cosmetics contained carcinogenic contaminants. Since the FDA has not set standards for the safety testing of cosmetics, it is up to you to be your own watchdog.

Are you using toxic/carcinogenic skincare and beauty products? Put them to the test...
(Let me know in the comments section if you'd like a copy of this list emailed to you in pdf form)

Acetamide MEA: (cream blusher, lipsticks) Toxic, carcinogenic.
Acetone: (fingernail polish remover) On the EPA hazardous waste list.
Alkyl-Phenol-Ethoxylades: (shampoo) Toxic, carcinogenic. Found to reduce male sperm count and to mimic estrogen in the body.
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): (moisturizers, toners, cleansers, masks, and age-spot removers) Accelerates skin aging and skin cancer potential.
Aluminum: (color additive, especially in eye shadow, deodorant, and antiperspirants) Toxic, carcinogenic.
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate: (hair products, bubble bath) Contains ether; toxic, carcinogenic.
Bentonite: (facial mask, makeup, face powder) May clog pores and suffocate skin.
Benzaldehyde: (perfume/cologne, +) Depresses the central nervous system, causing nausea and abdominal pain.
Benzene: (misc. products) Toxic, carcinogenic.
Benzyl Acetate: (perfume/cologne, +) Carcinogenic; linked to pancreatic cancer; vapors irritate the eyes and respiratory passages.
Benzyl Alcohol: (perfume/cologne, +) Depresses the central nervous system; dizziness, nausea, slurred speech, drowsiness.
Bronopol or 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol: (cosmetics, baby products) Releases nitrities, which combine with DEA to form nitrosamines.
Butylated Hydroxianisole (BHA) or Butylated Hydroxytoluene: (preservative used in personal care products and cosmetics) BHA is an animal carcinogen, suspected human carcinogen and a xenoestrogen.
Camphor: (perfume/cologne, +) Dilates blood vessels for a cooling effect, but can cause skin irritation and dermatitis. Inhalation can irritate eyes, nose and throat. Ingestion can cause burning, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, confusion, convulsions and unconsciousness.
Carbomer 934, 940, 941, 960, 961 C: (thickener and stabilizer in creams, toothpaste, eye makeup, bath products) Allergen with high acidic pH.
Coal Tar, aka FD, FDC, or FDandC Color: (shampoos, hair dyes) Carcinogenic, can cause severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, fatigue, nervousness, headaches, nausea, lack of concentration and cancer.
Cocamide DEA: (shampoos) Nitrosamines and known carcinogens can form.
Crystalline Silica: (personal care products, toiletries) Carcinogen; possible link to lung cancer.
DEA (Diethanolamine) or TEA: (liquid soaps, shampoo, conditioner, +) Irritates skin, eyes, mucous membranes; forms nitrosamines, carcinogens; causes allergic reactions and dermatitis; hazardous and toxic, especially for infants and young children.
Dibutyl Phthalate: (fingernail polish) May be linked to fertility problems.
Dimethylamine: Allergen, carcinogenic.
Dioform: (toothpaste and whiteners) Damages enamel.
Dioxins: Carcinogen.
Ethanol: (perfumes, hairspray, shampoo, +) On the EPA hazardous waste list; can depress the central nervous system through inhalation; resulting in dizziness, nausea, slurred speech and drowsiness.
Ethyl Acetate: (nail polish, nail polish remover) On the EPA hazardous waste list; irritates eyes and respiratory tract; may cause headaches, narcosis/stupor and drying of the skin.
FDC-n or FDandC: (pigments) Some are irritants; others are strong carcinogens.
Fluoride: Listed as an insecticide for ants and roaches; ingestion of 4 grams can result in death.
Fluorocarbons: (hair spray propellant) Can produce mild upper respiratory tract irritation.
Formaldehyde aka DMDM Hydantoin, Formalin, MDM Hydantoin: (nail polish and hardeners, shampoo, soap, skin cream) A disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, preservative that can cause allergic reactions, inflammation, headaches, asthma; carcinogen, toxic.
Glycols, such as Propylene Glycol, Diethylene Glycol, Ethylene Glycol: (emulsifier, moisturizer) Causes liver abnormalities and kidney damage in lab animals; toxic, carcinogens.
Hydantoin DMDM: (lubricants, resins) Causes dermatitis, and may release formaldehyde.
Imidazolidinyl Urea: (2nd most commonly used preservative in cosmetics) Causes dermatitis and releases formaldehyde.
Isopropyl Alcohol: (hair color rinses, body rubs, lotion, aftershave, fragrance, +) Petroleum-derived; may cause poisoning symptoms of headaches, flushing, dizziness, depression, nausea, vomiting and coma; implicated in mouth, tongue and throat cancers with mouthwashes having alcohol content of 25% or more.
Kaolin (Silicate of Aluminum): (foundation, powders, blushers) A natural mineral that may smother and weaken skin.
Lauramide DEA: (soap, detergent) Can form carcinogens.
Limonene: (perfume/cologne, +) Irritant to skin and eyes; carcinogen.
Linalool: (perfume/cologne, +) Can cause central nervous system disorder.
Lye, Sodium Hydroxide, or Potassium Hydroxide: (bar soap, toothpaste) Corrosive, poisonous.
Methyl Chloroisothiazolinine or Kathon CG: Toxic, carcinogenic.
Methylene Chloride: (perfume/cologne, +) Banned by the FDA in 1988 but unenforced; carcinogenic; can cause central nervous system disorder.
Methyl Methacrylate: (nail products, acrylic nails) Linked to fungal infections and nail deformities. Ethyl methacrylate is a safer bonding liquid.
Mineral Oil: (makeup remover, lipstick, lotion) A petroleum derivative (crude oil) linked to clogged pores.
PABA or Para-Aminobenzoic Acid: (sunscreen) Can cause photosensitivity, contact dermatitis, and allergic eczema.
Parabens - Butyl, Ethyl, Germa, Methyl, and Propyl Paraben: (most common preservative in personal products, especially creams and lotions) Petroleum-based.
Para-Phenylenediamine or PPD: (permanent and dark hair dyes) Carcinogenic; linked to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
PEG (200-400), aka Polyethylene Glycol, Polyoxethylene, Polygocol, and Polyether Glycol: Strips natural moisture and nutrition from the skin, leaving the immune system vulnerable; allergic reactions are common, as well as hives and eczema.
Petrolatum: A petroleum-based product that, similar to mineral oil, smothers the skin.
Phthalates: (nail polish, perfumes, hair spray, lotion) Toxic; large exposure causes damage to liver and kidneys, birth defects, decreased sperm count, testicular cancer, early puberty onset in girls and reproductive disorders.
Phenoxyethanol, aka Arosol, Dowanol EPH, Phenyl Cellosolve, Phenoxethol, and Phenonip: (common cosmetic preservative) Can cause severe allergic reactions.
Phosphoric Acid: (pH adjuster in cosmetic and skin-care products) As an inorganic phosphate acid, it is disruptive to the skin.
a-Pinene: (perfume/cologne, +) Can damage the immune system.
Polysorbate-n (20-85): (creams, lotions, deodorants, baby oil, suntan lotion) Can cause contact sensitivity and irritation to the skin.
Propylene Glycol or PG: (suntan lotion, lipstick, shampoo, conditioner) A petrochemical solvent; linked to liver abnormalities and kidney damage; irritant. Avoid it entirely, substituting products containing glycerin or sorbitol.
Sodium Cyanide: Toxic, carcinogenic.
Sodium Fluoride: Potential carcinogen.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate: (shampoo, conditioner) Toxic; closely related to sodium lauryl sulfate.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS: (bubble bath, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, lotions) This detergent enters the brain, heart, liver and impairs the immune system; linked to eye irritations, skin rashes and allergic reactions; can form carcinogenic compounds.
Sodium Oleth Sulfate: May contain dangerous levels of ethylene oxide and/or dioxide, both potent toxins.
Sodium PCA (NAPCA): (skin and hair conditioners) The synthetic version can seriously dry the skin and cause allergic reactions. A plant-derived version does not cause these reactions.
Stearamidopropyl Tetrasodium EDTA: Nitrosamines can form, which are carcinogens.
Styrene Monomer: Toxic, carcinogenic; may irritate eyes and mucous membranes.
Talc: (makeup and body powders) Mineral talc is linked to ovarian cancer; can cause respiratory problems, if inhaled. Avoid using talc-based powders, especially in genital areas.
g-Terpinene: (perfume/cologne, +) Can cause asthma and central nervous system disorders.
a-Terpineol: (fragrance) Highly irritating to mucous membranes and can cause central nervous system and respiratory depression and headaches.
Toluene: (cosmetics, nail polish, dyes) Obtained from petroleum; if ingested may cause mild anemia, liver damage, irritate the skin and respiratory tract.
Triethanolamine (TEA): (pH balancer) Can cause severe facial dermatitis, irritation and sensitivity; may contain carcinogens.

(Information taken from article "Dying to be Beautiful?" by Peter Lamas)