parabens
According to recent studies, 99% of personal care products contain synthetic preservatives - used to increase shelf life - called parabens.
Parabens, commonly known as methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben and butylparaben, are also used extensively in shampoos, and other personal care products - also produced for children.
As well as causing skin irritation, rash, dermatitis, and allergic skin reactions, parabens mimic the female hormone oestrogen, and have recently been linked to breast cancer.
New research undertaken by the University of Reading found high concentrations of parabens in 18 out of 20 breast tumours, with the indication that they came from something applied to the skin, such as an underarm deodorant, cream or body spray.
The Journal of Applied Toxicology, which published the research. States that: & quote;From this research it is not possible to say whether parabens actually caused these tumours, but they may certainly be associated with the overall rise in breast cancer cases".
Previously published studies have shown that parabens are able to be absorbed through the skin and to bind to the body's oestrogen-receptors, where they can encourage breast cancer cell growth.
Children are also particularly at risk because the rate of exposure in relation to body mass is greater. Also, children's skin is thinner allowing harmful substances to be more easily absorbed. propylene glycol
An ingredient used in anti-freeze and brake fluid, it is the most widely used moisture carrying ingredient found in cosmetics. Propylene glycol is used in many moisturisers, and hand/body lotions as an emulsifier and solvent - used instead of glycerine (which is more expensive).
This chemical, acknowledged as a neurotoxin, is readily absorbed through the skin and scalp. It has been linked to contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities. It also inhibits skin cell growth, damaging cell membranes and causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage to the skin.
parfum (or fragrance)
The word 'parfum' can include thousands of different chemicals - many of which may be toxic of carcinogenic. Synthetic scents and musks, which are particularly linked to allergies and multiple chemical sensitivities, are typically made up of 95% chemical compounds derived from petroleum.
A loophole in current legislation - designed to protect the commercial secrets of manufacturers can mean that even hormone disrupting PHTHALATES which may be present in most types of body care preparations, doesn't have to be listed by name.
This is because it is used as part of the fragrance, and are therefore hidden within the all embracing term 'parfum'. Of the thousands of chemicals used in fragrance, only a few have been safety tested. |
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synthetic colourants
Synthetic dyes derived from aluminium and coal tar can be absorbed into our bodies and stored in our organs and fatty tissues.
For those sensitive individuals, the use of coal tar colours can cause such symptoms as nausea, headaches, skin problems, fatigue, mood swings, or other allergic symptoms.
Coal tar dyes have produced cancer in laboratory animals. phthalates
Phthalates have traditionally been found in many leading beauty care products, including hair spray, deodorant, nail polish and perfume. They are a group of chemicals used as solvents and fixatives. (They are also used extensively in the plastics industry - to make plastic pliable).
Phthalates can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled as fumes, ingested when they contaminate food, or when children bite or suck on toys. - They have recently been banned for use in children's plastic toys.
They are persistent and bio-accumulative and are widespread contaminants of the environment and the human body. Hundreds of animal studies have shown that phthalates can damage the liver, the kidneys, the lungs and the reproductive system.
Cosmetics companies have always been quoted as saying that the level of phthalates in their products is "safe." That might be true if people were exposed to only one phthalate from one source at any one time, but that is rarely the case. It's the cumulative effect that gives the greatest cause for concern.
Because they 'bio-accumulate', phthalates end up our rivers and seas, where they are ingested by water creatures, eaten by fish, and end up in the food chain. When the fish is eaten, the phthalates, enter the body, where they mix with other phthalates which have been absorbed by the skin. They have even been found in breast milk.
In 2001 the European Union classified phthalates as substances" toxic to reproduction", and In 2003, the European Parliament banned two phthalates - DBP and DEHP - in both domestic and imported cosmetics.
But, current labelling laws contain a "trade secret" loophole that allows companies to use generic terms such as "fragrance" or "parfum" rather than disclosing ingredients. Most synthetic fragrances contain phthalates - although you'll never find them listed on the label!
Women's Environmental Network - WEN has done a lot of research on phthalates, and has produced a report (PDF 250 KB) - "Pretty Nasty" . WEN states: "Chemicals that cause birth defects do not belong in products marketed for personal or house-hold use. While the levels of phthalates in some individual products were low, people are being exposed to phthalates from many different products each day." Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical used in industry in the manufacture of glues and is also used as a preservative in cosmetics, vaccines and for embalming bodies. Formaldehyde mixes easily with water but will not mix with oil or grease. It is common to find formaldehyde in aqueous cosmetic formulations such as shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, liquid hand wash and bubble bath, even products designed for children such as bubble bath and baby shampoo have formaldehyde in them! Skin: Formaldehyde solutions can destroy your skin's natural protective oils. Frequent or prolonged skin contact with formaldehyde solutions can cause dryness, flaking, cracking, and dermatitis (skin rash). Skin contact can also cause an allergic reaction (redness, itching, hives, and blisters). Studies show that as many as one in twenty workers who are regularly exposed to formaldehyde develop an allergic skin reaction Toluene Toluene is a sweet-smelling, industrial solvent and a volatile organic compound (VOC). Toluene is used in consumer products such as adhesives, nail polish, cosmetics, rubber cement, paints, paint thinners, lacquers, stain removers, dyes and inks. It is also found in gasoline, car exhaust, and cigarette smoke. These are the most likely sources of exposure to toluene for children.
Toluene is produced by petroleum refining and as a byproduct of styrene manufacturing. It is used to manufacture benzene and urethane. Emissions of toluene where people live could occur as a result of these industrial activities. Toluene's function in nail polish is to help it go on smoothly, adhere evenly to the nail, and give nail polish its unique characteristics (Source: emedicine.com/derm/topic507.htm). While toluene helps nail polish perform beautifully, it is considered a strong sensitizing agent, a toxic inhalant, and has a high risk of causing severe contact dermatitis and eye irritation. There is even risk that overexposure (which can occur if you are using nail polish with toluene in an area that is not well-ventilated, a concern mostly for manicurists) can result in central nervous system problems (Source: Handbook of Cosmetic and Personal Care Additives, Second Edition, Volume 2, 2002, page 1,571). Toluene may also appear on ingredient labels as benzene, methyl-methylbenzene, or toluol (Source: International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, Ninth Edition, 2002, page 1,724). Toluene is also used with formaldehyde (another problematic ingredient that functions primarily as a preservative) in the form of toluene sulfonamide/formaldehyde resin.
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