soaps, foams, butters and anti-wrinkle products just to name a few,
contain synthetic ingredients that are known to damage your skin?
Have a look at the back of the bottles and you’ll see a bunch of names
that I have trouble pronouncing. These products are known to contain
toxins and cause: allergic reactions, rashes, irritation and some of these
are known to cause cancer.
In this article I’ll expose 8 of these toxic ingredients to look out for and
explain what they are:
Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben – These chemicals are used to
extend the shelf life of products and inhibit microbial growth. These
are known toxins and studies show that they can be absorbed through
the skin.
Diazolidinyl Urea and Imidazolidinyl Urea (urea is urine) – These
are used as preservatives. The American Academy of Dermatology
has found them to be a primary cause of contact dermatitis. These
chemicals release formaldehyde (what they use to preserve dead
bodies), and are toxic.
Propylene Glycol – This has been used for a long time and used to
be a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol which is natural.
Today it is usually a synthetic petrochemical mix. It is known to
cause allergic reactions, hives and eczema. If you see PEG (poly-
ethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol) on the labels,
watch out as these are related synthetics.
Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) – These are
often used as emulsifiers or foaming agents. They can cause allergic
reactions, eye irritation and dry skin. DEA and TEA are ammonia
compounds and can form cancer causing nitrosamines. They are
toxic when absorbed into the body with continued use.
Petrolatum (petroleum jelly) – This mineral oil is used for its moistening
properties. It has absolutely no nutrient value for the skin and interferes
with the body’s natural moisturizing process leading to dryness and
chapping. It gives you a quick boost where your skin feels softer and
then shortly after starts to dry out your skin. Manufacturers use petrolatum
because it’s very cheap to buy.
Stearalkonium Chloride – This is an ammonium compound used in
skin creams. It was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric
softener and is cheaper to use than beneficial proteins. This product
is toxic and causes allergic reactions.
Synthetic Colors – You see on the bottle where it says example:
FD&C Red No. 6. These colors are used to make products look good
and are known to be carcinogenic. Make sure you avoid using products
containing these colors (and food).
Synthetic Fragrances – On many labels it will say the word fragrance.
These “fragrances” are chemicals and can contain up to 200 ingredients.
Some problems caused by these chemicals are: headaches, dizziness,
rashes, violent coughing, skin irritation, vomiting, hyper-pigmentation
and more.
I know it can be shocking to find out that even products for babies
contain these harmful ingredients. The truth is that these companies
producing these products just want to make money and will spend
more money on commercials to advertise than on spending a bit more
to create a quality product. If you look at the ingredients in many
products labeled as “organic” you will find these same ingredients.
Conclusion
Luckily, there are some great companies out there that are making
fantastic natural products. Once you make the switch you will
immediately feel the difference. Your skin will feel soft, nourished,
and you may even start to glow!
Victoria Dawson is a writer living on the Big Island of Hawaii.
For more important information on skin care visit her
website: Skin Products