Harmful Ingredients Found In Personal Care and Beauty Products

Fashion and Beauty - Skincare

By: jseven 07-Jan-2011

Introduction:

Have you read the ingredients on your shampoo, skin cream, toothpaste or perfume and wondered what that stuff is?

According to "The Safe Shopper's Bible" consumers have little guidance from product manufacturers on labels. Local, state and government agencies have failed to protect the consumers with required disclosures and warnings of carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemical ingredients on product labels.

At the same time, cancer rates have skyrocketed to 1 out of 3 people in the United States.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol can be found in many shampoos, conditioners, skin products, cosmetics and hygiene products. Why is it there? It is called a humectant which means " a substance that promotes moisture." It is an industrial anti-freeze and is in brake and hydraulic fluid, anti-freeze, paint and floor wax for some starters.

A quote from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) U.S. Government Office.

"May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. May cause eye irritation. Exposure can cause gastro-intestinal disturbances, nausea, headache and vomiting, central nervous system depression. Implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities."

There is more but I think you get the picture.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate(SLS)is found in mass amounts of personal care products.

It is also found in industrial products such as garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and car-wash soaps.

MSDS fact sheet- "Emits toxic fumes on thermal decomposition, avoid excessive heat, causes mild irritation on contact with skin, eyes or mucous membranes, skin contact could cause irritation or allergic reaction. Moderately toxic by ingestion. Tests on lab animals indicate material may cause mutagenic effects/signs.

My son-in-law and tons of other people get canker sores from toothpaste with SLS in it.

Petroleum Mineral Oil

Petroleum and mineral oil come from the same source and can be found in too many personal care products to list. Vaseline is a big one.

Petroleum comes from crude oil and is used as an industrial grease component such as metal cutting fluid.

MSDS fact sheet-" May suffocate the skin by forming an oil film. Mineral oils are suspected carcinogens of the skin, scrotum, larynx, lung and alimentary tracts. Pre-existing skin disorders may be aggravated by exposure to this product. Overexposure may cause eye, skin and respiratory tract irritation.

I know people who have used Vaseline and chap stick for years and cannot go without it or their skin dries out horribly.

Sodium Fluoride

Sodium Fluoride is found in most toothpastes and dentists have encouraged it for years. It is also in city drinking water.

MSDS fact sheet-Primary uses. "Insecticides, enamels, glass mixes, steel de-gassing agent, electroplating fluxes, fluoridation of drinking water, disinfectant fermentation apparatus, preserving wood, pastes, manufacture coated paper, dental care prophylactic.

"Levels of evidence of carcinogenicity-organ tissue (neoplasm): MR: Equivocal evidence: bone osteosarcoma.

Non-neoplastic lesions: teeth, dentine, incisor, dysplasia, ameloblast, degeneration, attrition, deformity;discoloration.

I stopped the fluoride treatments on my children years ago and do not drink city water.

Cocoamide

Cocoamide DEA, TEA, MEA, is found in multiple personal care products as well.

Industrial use for Cocoamide is as a sudsing agent.

MSDS fact sheet-"Causes severe irritation, harmful if swallowed or inhaled, avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing. Avoid breathing vapors. Chronic effects of overexposure may include kidney or liver damage.

Final Thoughts

I want to point out that these warnings are for overexposure to these toxins. I do not want to be an alarmist and say that anyone using these products will have adverse effects. I do want to bring an awareness to people who may use these products daily, and how the toxic effect could be detrimental to their health.

Supporting Links

How to Practice Natural Skin Care

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Comments

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goodselfme 8/2/2012
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Thank you for this educational great list.
tracyann 4/21/2011
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Excellent list.
cuteordeath 3/9/2011
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I think the reason SLS is in SO much stuff is because it's the cheapest, easiest way to make suds. Even though suds have nothing to do with making your hair, face, or teeth clean, people would think the product was not effective if it didn't lather. *eyeroll* *hugs natural toothpaste* :D