The following are some of the potentially harmful ingredients which are commonly used by the Personal Care and Cosmetics Industry – check all your labels carefully to see if the products you are using are poisoning you!

Alcohol
As an ingredient in ingestible products, alcohol may cause body tissue to be more vulnerable to carcinogens. Mouthwashes with an alcohol content of 25% or more have been implicated in mouth, tongue and throat cancers.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid
AHA is found in many skin care products. The products containing AHA exfoliate not only damages the skin cells, but also the skin’s protective barrier as well resulting in possible long-term skin damage.

Aluminium
Often used as an ingredient in antiperspirants, antacids and antiseptics. Aluminium has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Animal Fat (Tallow)
Animal fats are the main ingredients of most commercial soaps. It is a cleaning and emulsifying product that may act as a breeding ground for bacteria.

Collagen
This is an insoluble fibrous protein that is too large to penetrate the skin! The collagen found in most skin care products is derived from animal skins and ground up chicken feet. Collagen forms a layer of film that may suffocate the skin.

DEA, MEA, TEA
These can cause allergic reactions, irritate the eyes and dry the hair and skin. They can be carcinogenic, especially to the kidneys and liver.

Dioxins
A potentially carcinogenic by product that results from the process used to bleach paper at paper mills. Dioxin treated containers sometimes transfer dioxins to the product itself.

Formaldehyde
This is a toxic, colourless gas which is an irritant and a known carcinogen. When combined with water, formaldehyde is used as a disinfectant, fixative or preservative. It is found in many cosmetic products and conventional nail care systems.

Fragrance
Fragrances used in personal care and cosmetic products are usually petroleum-based. It can cause headaches, dizziness, rashes, respiratory problems, vomiting, skin irritation and multiple chemical sensitivity.

Imidazolidinyl urea and DMDM hydantoin
These formaldehyde forming preservatives can cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness, insomnia and asthma. They can also weaken the immune system and even cause cancer. Found in skin, body and hair products, antiperspirants and nail polish.

Lanolin
A fatty substance extracted from wool which is frequently found in cosmetics and lotions. Lanolin is a common skin sensitiser that can cause allergic reactions such as skin rashes.

Methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl paraben
These are commonly used to extend the shelf life of products and inhibit microbial growth. They can cause rashes and other allergic reactions.

Mineral oil
This is a derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. Mineral oil forms and oily film over the skin to lock in moisture, toxins and wastes, but hinders normal skin respiration by keeping oxygen out.

Padimate-O
Also known as octyl dimethyl, PABA is found mostly in sunscreens. Like DEA, it is a nitrosamine-forming agent. There is concern that the energy absorbed by the sunscreen is then turned into free radicals, which may actually increase the risk of skin cancer.

Petrolatum
A petroleum based grease that is used industrially as a grease component. Petrolatum exhibits many of the same potentially harmful properties as mineral oil.

Propylene Glycol
This is a cosmetic form of mineral oil which is found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and in industrial antifreeze. In skin and hair products, propylene glycol works as a humectant, which is a substance that retains the moisture content of the skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture. Material Data Safety Sheets warn users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
This is a harsh detergent and wetting agent used in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and auto cleaning products. SLS is well known in the scientific community as a common skin irritant. It is rapidly absorbed and retained in the eyes, brain, heart and liver, which may result in harmful long-term effects. SLS could retard healing, cause cataracts in adults and prevent children’s eyes from developing properly.

Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES)
SLES is the alcohol form of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS but may actually cause more drying. Both SLES and SLS may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood systems from just one shampooing.

Synthetic colours
Coal-tar dyes are generally labelled as FD&C or D&C followed by a number. They are highly carcinogenic.

Talc
Used in some personal hygiene and cosmetic products. Inhaling talc may be harmful as this substance is recognised as a potential carcinogen.




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