COSMETIC DANGERS / HOMEMADE REMEDIES
COSMETIC DANGERS / HOMEMADE REMEDIES
There are over 7,000 ingredients
available to manufacturers for use in cosmetics and toiletries (including
nearly 1,000 aromatic and perfume chemicals), of which more than a thousand are
known to have harmful effects, and many of these are subject to some level of
legal restriction. Another 900 ingredients may have been manufactured in such a
way as to be potentially contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals”.
Taken from
Cosmetics Unmasked by Dr Stephen and Gina Antczak
To be fair, the
author quoted above – who is a chemist - also points out that a number of
completely natural ingredients can be irritating to some people (although I
have not spotted him saying that any cause cancer!) and, therefore, are not
without their problems. This is true, but if you have sensitivities you will
already know that some essential oils irritate. Commercially produced products
contain such a complex list of chemicals, many with made up names and no
explanation for their presence that it would be hard to pin down any particular
one that causes you a problem.
Below is a of A-Z list of commonly used chemical
ingredients. It is not exhaustive, but goes some way to demonstrating how
beauty products may be causing problems. Technically, beauty products are safe.
The ingredients have to be approved by the EU or FDA (in the
dangerous chemicals A-D
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol,
diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea, DM hydantoin, Quaternium 15: These ingredients
contain formaldehyde, may release formaldehyde, or may break down into
formaldehyde. Formaldehyde may cause joint pain, skin reactions, allergies,
depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness,
and loss of sleep. Other possible side effects include weakening the immune
system and cancer. These chemicals are toxic. Some are actually a by-product of
manufacture rather than added ingredients and can be found particularly in
cheap imported brands – especially shampoo and conditioner.
Alcohol, Isopropyl: a very drying and irritating solvent and
dehydrator that strips your skin's moisture and natural immune barrier, making
you more vulnerable to bacteria, moulds and viruses. It is found in many skin
and hair products, fragrance, antibacterial hand washes as well as shellac and
antifreeze. A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients says it may cause
headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis,
anaesthesia, and coma. Fatal ingested dose is one ounce or less.
Di-ethyl
phthalate/Di-n-butyl phthalate: Found in toothbrushes, car parts, tools, toys,
food packaging, insecticides, mosquito repellents, aspirin and volatile
components of cosmetics ie: perfumes, nail polishes and hair sprays. Has been linked to testicular cancer and cell
mutation.
dangerous chemicals D-L
FD&C Colour Pigments; synthetic colours
made from coal tar, containing heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the
skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Many are known to be a risk for
asthmatics and eczema sufferers and can cause severe headaches and
hyperactivity in children. Found in everything from eye shadow to shampoo.
Fluoride: An acute toxin with a poison rating higher than lead.
Fluoride is found in most mainstream toothpaste – added for its dental
benefits. Fluoride used in water fluoridation is a toxic waste product from the
fertilizer industry. It is the most bone-seeking element known to man. It
has been linked to health problems such as brittle bones, osteoporosis and
(incredibly) porous dental enamel. In hypersensitive people fluoride also
causes eczema, gastric distress, headaches and weakness and has been linked to
genetic damage, including cancer, and hyperactivity and attention deficit
disorder in children.
Fragrance: mostly synthetic ingredients can indicate the
presence of up to four thousand separate ingredients, many toxic or
carcinogenic. Symptoms reported include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes,
skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation.
Clinical observation proves fragrances can affect the central nervous system,
causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral
changes.
Isopropyl: This is a poisonous solvent and denaturant (alters
the structure of other chemicals) and can be found in hand lotions, body rubs,
hair colour rinses, fragrances and aftershave lotions. Isopropyl dries hair and
skin, creates cracks and fissures in the skin, which encourages bacterial
growth and can cause headaches, flushing, nausea, vomiting and depression.
LAURAMIDE DEA, Diethylolamine, Triethylolamine: partly natural, partly
synthetic chemicals used to build lather and thicken various cosmetic products.
Also used in dishwashing detergents for grease-cutting ability. Can be drying
to the hair, cause skin and scalp itching and allergic reactions. Have been
declared carcinogens.
dangerous
chemicals M-P
Methyl and Propyl and Butyl and Ethyl
Paraben: Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of
products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many
allergic reactions and skin rashes. Methyl paraben combines benzoic acid with
the methyl group of chemicals. Highly toxic.
Mineral Oil: petroleum by-product that coats the skin like
plastic, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin's ability to eliminate
toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell
development, resulting in premature aging. Used in many products (baby oil is
100% mineral oil!)
Petrolatum: You will see this on lip products from time to time,
which is amusing because they are usually advertised as protecting the lips
from sunburn, chapping and so forth. Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly, and
mineral oil causes problems when used on the skin photosensitivity (i.e.,
promotes sun damage), and it tends to interfere with the body's own natural
moisturizing mechanism, leading to dry skin and chapping. Manufacturers use
petrolatum because it is very cheap.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): potentially carcinogenic petroleum
ingredient that can alter and reduce the skin's natural moisture factor. This
could increase the appearance of aging and leave you more vulnerable to
bacteria. Used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease. It adjusts the melting
point and thickens products. Also used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners.
Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol: gaseous hydrocarbons,
which in a liquid state act as surfactants (wetting agents and solvents). They
easily penetrate the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure.
Commonly used to make extracts from herbs. PG is strong enough to remove
barnacles from boats! Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns
against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver, and kidney
abnormalities. But there isn't even a warning label on products such as
deodorant sticks, where the concentration is greater than in most industrial
applications.
PVP/VA Copolymer A
petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, setting lotions and other
cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles may contribute to
foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons. Cancer suspect.
dangerous
chemicals P-Z
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium
Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Detergents and surfactants that pose serious health
threats. Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers - and
in 90% of personal-care products that foam. Young eyes may not develop properly
if exposed to SLS because proteins are dissolved. SLS may also damage the
skin's immune system by causing layers to separate and inflame. When combined
with other chemicals, SLS can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class
of carcinogens. Your body may retain the SLS for up to five days, during which
time it may enter and maintain residual levels in the heart, liver, the lungs,
and the brain. It is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the
parenthetic explanation ‘comes from coconut’.
Stearalkonium Chloride A chemical used in hair
conditioners and creams. Causes allergic reactions. Stearalkonium chloride was
developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, and is a lot cheaper and
easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals. Toxic.
Talc: This is found in baby powders, face powders, body powders.
Talc is a known carcinogen and is a major cause of ovarian cancer. It can be
harmful if inhaled as it can lodge in the lungs, causing respiratory disorders.
Triclosan: a synthetic ‘antibacterial’ ingredient - with a
chemical structure similar to Agent Orange! The EPA registers it as a
pesticide, giving it high scores as a risk to both human health and the
environment. It is classified as a chlorophenol, a class of chemicals suspected
of causing cancer in humans. Its manufacturing process may produce dioxin, a
powerful hormone-disrupting chemical with toxic effects measured in the parts
per trillion. Internally, it can lead to cold sweats, circulatory collapse, and
convulsions. Stored in body fat, it can accumulate to toxic levels, damaging
the liver, kidneys and lungs, and can cause paralysis, suppression of immune
function, brain haemorrhages, and heart problems. It has a wide-spread use in
popular antibacterial cleansers, tooth pastes and household products.
Triethanolamine: Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH, and
used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then
becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye
problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the
body over a long period of time.
HOMEMADE RECIPES
Honey Conditioner
5 tbsp honey 3 tbsp olive oil
Mix the honey and olive oil together. (Use just
2 tablespoons of oil for normal hair to avoid over conditioning). Work a small
amount at a time through dry hair until completely coated. Cover hair with a
shower cap (or a plastic carrier bag if you haven’t stayed in a hotel room for
years) and leave to marinate for 30 minutes. Remove shower cap and work copious
amounts of shampoo through your hair before wetting, and then lather well. You
may need to repeat the washing process if the hair still feels oily.
Peaches & Cream Moisturising Lotion
Peel and mash one very ripe peach. Strain through
a sieve to extract all the juice. Mix peach juice with an equal quantity of
fresh double cream. Spread the mixture over the face and leave for 15 minutes.
Rinse with warm water. Keep refrigerated and use within 7 days
Honey 'n Oats Scrub
˝ cup uncooked oatmeal
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp ground almonds
Mix all the ingredients together. Moisten face with a warm facecloth then apply
mixture to face avoiding the sensitive area around the eyes. Let mixture dry,
then remove with a warm, damp facecloth
MORE TO FOLLOW SHORTLY...
