Being a conscious consumer means religiously reading labels before making a purchase. There are many chemical ingredients included in beauty products which are proving to be toxic for our bodies so it is important to know what they are. Here is a quick list of the top chemicals to avoid and why:
Parabens : A Harmful Preservative Found in Bathroom Products and Cosmetics
Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl parabens) are chemicals usually put in products to increase shelf life. They are being linked to many cases of breast tumors and are known to cause skin allergies. On the Organic Consumers Association website, Rida Arditti states in her article entitled “Cosmetics, Parabens and Breast Cancer,” that studies show that parabens found in tumors have been found to originate from cosmetics or beauty products such as deodorants, antiperspirants, and body sprays.
Parabens are also commonly found in shampoos and conditioners to act as preservatives, so it is quite difficult to avoid them completely. It is advised to try and find alternatives, or at the least, to minimize exposure and use when possible.
Artificial Colors and Fragrances Leading to Health Problems
These colors are often found in beauty products like make-up, medicine or hair dye. Synthetic colors are usually represented by letters followed by numbers such as FD&C Yellow No.5 (U.S.) or Cl 61570 (U.K.). In BBC’s Pure Living Book by Sally Bevan, she states that these chemicals “have been associated with health problems including attention deficit order, hyperactivity and skin irritation.”
Sometimes hundreds of chemicals and other ingredients are combined to create a certain fragrance and they are not listed on the labels. So when something is labeled as simply ‘fragrance,’ no one is really sure what is in it. According to the Women’s Environmental Network, breathing difficulties and allergies are caused by these artificial fragrances. Other known effects are dizziness, skin irritations and rashes.
Foamy Products at the Expense of Health
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) are synthetic substances which are usually put in shampoos, detergents and toothpaste for their foaming properties. It is said that most bathroom products contain SLS/ SLES, but recently, more and more manufacturers are finding ways to remove these from their products.
SLS has been known to cause allergic reactions, rashes and other irritations. Studies by the American College of Toxicology show that SLS is safe when used sparingly or briefly and provided the surface of the skin is rinsed thoroughly. For products which are used regularly and for a long period of time, they should be used in very small doses or, more specifically, a maximum of 1 percent concentration.
Pthalates: Safe or Harmful?
Also known as dibutylpthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP) or diethylpthalate (DEP), these chemical ingredients are put in beauty products such as perfumes to prevent evaporation or nail varnish to make it chip-resistant.
Pthalates have been a controversial topic, as environmental and consumer groups indicate them to be unsafe whereas cosmetics industry groups say studies show no proof that they are dangerous. However, research shows pthalates to be linked to organ damage and asthma, as well as acting as a hormone disruptor.
This is only a short list of toxic ingredients to avoid. What is important is that consumers are informed and careful about what to purchase or use. Some people keep a list in their bags of unsafe chemicals to watch out for when shopping. Other people turn to making their own products with safe ingredients to avoid putting their bodies in harm’s way. Some suggestions for DIY products can be found in the article “Homemade Health and Beauty Products.”
Sources:
Organic Consumers Association, "Cosmetics, Parabens and Breast Cancer," (accessed July 1, 2010)
Bevan, Sally. 2004. Pure Living: How to Detox Your Home.BBC Books.
Anna Teresa Slater - Anna holds a degree in Philosophy and has delved into various fields such as marketing, graphic design, copywriting, office management and ...
