RED ALERT - (Listed in order of importance from the book)
- FRAGRANCE (2) OR PARFUM (May contain hundreds of chemicals that are neurotoxins). Used to mask hundreds of ingredients, including phthalates, which disrupt the endocrine system and could cause reproductive and developmental harm.
- PARABENS (Disrupts normal hormone function).
- TRIETHANOLAMINE (Adversely affects the immune system).
- IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE (Can cause confusion, fatigue, irritability and is toxic to the liver and gastrointestinal tract).
- TRICLOSAN (5) (Probable human carcinogen). Used in almost all antibacterial products, including soap, toothpaste and cosmetics. Triclosan is often contaminated with dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic and can also weaken your immune system, decrease fertility and cause birth defects.
- 1,4-DIOXANE (Known carcinogen).
- FORMALDEHYDE (Long list of adverse health effects).
- P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE (6) Commonly found in hair dyes and is also known as 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine and 4-Phenylenediamine. It can damage your nervous system, cause lung irritation and cause severe allergic reactions. This has given a bad name to regular hair dies.
- DIETHANOLAMINE (DEA) (Hormone disruptor).
- HYDROQUINONE (3) (Neurotoxin and possible carcinogen). Commonly found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, it is a neurotoxin and is allergenic.
- NAIL POLISH CHEMICALS TO AVOID ARE: Toluene, DBP and Formaldehyde
These were also listed in the book
- COAL TAR (1): Used in dandruff shampoos and anti itch creams, coal tar is a known carcinogen. Coal tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, which are used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green 3, which is used in mouthwash, should be avoided. (listed above Fragrance in the book)
- ALUMINUM (4): Often used in eye shadow as a color additive and also used in deodorants, it is listed as carcinogenic, toxic and mutagen. (listed above Triclosan in the book)
- LEAD AND MERCURY (7): Lead could appear in toothpaste as a naturally occurring contaminant of hydrated silica. It is a neurotoxin that also appears as lead acetate in men’s hair dye. Mercury is found in a cosmetic preservative called thimerosol. (listed after P-Phenylenediamine in the book)
Note: The worst 7 listed in the book are in bold with the order listed next to them.
TO DO: Check: Shampoo, Conditioner, Body wash, lip products and hand lotions for 1-7
ORANGE ALERT:
- Nitrosamines: Cocamide DEH • Lauramide DEA • Cocamide MEA • Triethanolamine (TEA) • Diethanolamine (DEA)
- Mineral Oils: Liquid paraffin • Paraffin oil • Paraffin wax • Petrolatum: They coat the skin like plastic so it cannot breath. They can slow down the skin’s natural functions and cell development resulting in premature ageing. Mineral oils can also be contaminated with PAH (Polycyclic, Armatic, Hydrocarbons), which can be carcinogenic. Petroleum Jelly, which by the way, I touted as a cure-all as a younger girl, is now thought to be a probable carcinogen because of the way it is manufactured. Ugh – to think of all those years of slathering it all over my face and lips.
- Parabens (methyl-,ethyl-,propyl,butyl,isobutyl-): These were in our ‘worst six” list and for good reason: they are chemical preservatives that have been identified as estrogenic and disruptive of normal hormone function. Estrogenic chemicals mimic the function of the naturally occurring hormone estrogen, and exposure to external estrogen's has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. Enough said - I don’t touch them with a barge pole.
- Phtalates (thal-eights): These horrid little synthetic chemicals are known to cause a broad range of birth defects and lifelong reproductive impairment in lab animals that are exposed during pregnancy and after birth. They are also hormone- mimicking chemicals, many of which disrupt normal hormone processes, raising concerns about implications for increased breast cancer risk.
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES): This ingredient is typically used to de-grease car engines in the shop! In personal care products, it can damage the immune system. It is particularly dangerous when it is combined with other chemicals, as it can become a nitrosamine, which is a carcinogen. According to the American College of Toxicity. “SLS stays in the body for up to five days. It is easily absorbed through the skin.
- FC&C/D&C Color: Animal tests have found these dyes to be carcinogenic. They are coal-based. FD&C Blue 1 is used in some toothpastes and FD&C Green 3, is used in mouthwash.
- PEG: This is an abbreviation for POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL, which is a potential carcinogen that is typically used as a grease- dissolving cleaner and a thickener for skin care products. Also look out for PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL.
- Formaldehyde Producing Preservatives: Some preservatives can become formaldehyde-donors, in that they release small amounts of formaldehyde into the skin. Many preservatives are cellular toxins. Formaldehyde can cause many health issues including joint discomfort. Examples: DMD, HYDANTOIN, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, AND PHENOXYETYHANOL.)
- Talc: Contains a chemical that is similar to asbestos and can increase the risk of a certain ovarian cancers.
- Acrylates, Methlacrylates: These are carcinogenic. The really great news is that with so much media awareness, many of the really cool products will tell you on their labels that they do not contain the following 3 additives so you won’t have to do too much squinting at the small print. Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Mineral Oil.
WEEDING OUT
Now is decision time. Choose which products stay and which go. I suggest getting rid of the ones from the “Red Alert ” list and then put the rest in your “Use-up-but-don’t buy again” list. With your new found knowledge, you can make better choices when you next run out.
CONFUSED?
If you are in doubt or confused by a particular product you own, or have thrown out the box, you can go to a fabulous website from a company called Safe Cosmetics and actually type in the product to get the safety scoop on it. They rate the product from 0 thru 10 (0 being the safest and 10 having the most dodgy chemicals). I avoid products with a rating of 5 or higher. www.safe cosmetics.org Safe Cosmetics is an offshoot of EWG (Environmental Working Group). I often refer to this non-profit research organization that is based in Washington D.C. If your product isn’t listed and you are concerned about a particular chemical in one of your products, go to www.scorecard.org and click on “chemical profiles”. This is an amazing pollution informational website where you can check your air, water, home and general environment for toxic concerns. It is quite addictive as you can type in your zip code and see exactly where all the most offensive polluters are located. You can also see how your area stacks up, toxicity-wise, against every other area in the U.S. Plan to put aside some time for this one.
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