Cosmetic Ingredients, synthetic and harmful
cosmetic ingredients - There are no regulations that require firms to register with the FDA, nor are products required to be tested for safety and efficacy before being marketed. Over 200,000 emergency room visits nationally each year are related to body product use. We do not put any of these poisons in our products.
Acetone - A solvent often used in the manufacture of nail polish removers. These types of solvents (i.e.: methyl, butyl and amyl) are used to chemically extract oils from herbs, as well as in other areas. They are toxic.
Alcohol - There are both natural alcohols and synthetic alcohols. Synthetic alcohols, such as isopropyl alcohol (isopropyl alcohol has been found to be cancerous) This is a very cheap alcohol found in any store for about 50 cents to $1.00. The synthetic alcohols are petroleum compounds; they have a strong odor and are a cheaper raw material. The "SD" alcohols (SD stands for "specially denatured") are also not natural; these are grain alcohols with various substances added to them to prevent them form being rebottled and sold beverages (i.e.: SD alcohol 40). Natural alcohols are made by fermentation of starch, sugar, grains and various carbohydrates. They are often called "grain alcohol" or "ethyl alcohol." Because they can dissolve oils, like your skin's sebum, strong alcohol solutions can be drying, but natural alcohols are better tolerated by the skin and help otheradded products work better.
Aluminum Chemicals (i.e.: aluminum allantoinate, aluminum carbonate and aluminum chloride) - A Common ingredient in deodorants and antiperspirants, aluminum compounds can virtually stop the body's natural perspiration process. Known to shrink sweat glands and block pore, they can cause severe allergic reactions and have been implicated as a possible link to Alzheimer's disease.
Aluminum - A metallic element used extensively in the manufacture of aircraft components, prosthetic devices, and as an ingredient in antiperspirants, antacids, and antiseptics. Breast cancer has been linked to deodorants containing chemicals such as aluminum.
Ammonium Compounds - Many ammonium compounds are used in body products. They are toxic and cause allergic reactions in many people.
Azo Colors, Azo Compounds - Chemicals often used in food and body products as a color. They are toxic and have been linked to cancer.
Benzophenone - Used to prevent the colors used in body products from deteriorating. Causes allergic reactions and are toxic.
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) - A synthetic antioxidant (like (BHT) often used to retard rancidity of oils in foods and body products. It causes allergic reactions and is toxic.
Carbomer 934 & 40 - A resin used to thicken, stabilize and prevent freeze damage in products. Some allergic reactions have been reported and is toxic.
Cetyl Alcohol - A mixture of solid alcohols consisting chiefly of n-hexadecanol. When produced synthetically it is less expensive and has a slight toxicity. In it natural, pure form, it is derived from coconut oil as a fatty acid and is of superior quality, with no toxicity or allergic reactions.
Cocamide DEA - A mixture of ethanolamines of coconut acid used as a lather-builder and thickener in shampoos, ect. Coconut acid is compounded with synthetic chemicals and can cause allergic reactions and drying of skin, scalp and hair. It is toxic. (See Triethanolamine).
D & S Colors - The initials refer to "Drug" and "body product" colors, which have been approved by the FDA for use in drugs and body products. Most contain synthetic coal-tar substances and Azo chemicals. They are dangerous, unnecessary and toxic. FD & C Red No. 6 and Green No. 6 are highly suspected of causing cancer.
Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) - Substance found in most sunless tanning products. Chemically related to acetone, which is toxic, although found in paint thinners and nail polish removers. What is does when it gets into the body is unknown.
Formaldehyde - Used as a preservative and fungicide, to reduce bacteria count in solutions. Also listed under the trade name formalin. Not found too often in body products because of its overpowering odor. Can cause allergic reactions. Potentially carcinogenic and definitely toxic. Many preservatives and body product additives will make and emit formaldehyde when mixed together.
Glycols - Glycerin combined with alcohol to form a syrupy humectant. Iit helps the foundation adhere to the skin. Propylene glycol is one very commonly used synthetic glycol. Most glycols are synthetic and toxic.
Imidazolidinyl Urea - Antibacterial agents to prolong shelf life. Causes allergic reactions, skin rashes and toxicity is unknown.
Isopropyl Myristate - A partly natural, partly synthetic chemical used to reduce high oil content. Allergic reactions and toxicity unknown.
Lauramide DEA - A partly natural, partly synthetic chemical used to build lather and thicken products. Can be drying to eh hair and cause itching and allergic reactions. Also contains DEA (diethanolamine), which be contaminated with nitrosamines (see Triethanolamine).
Methyl, Propyl and Butyl Paraben - Synthetic preservatives that inhibit microbial growth. Widely used to extend shelf life of products, even though they are known to be toxic and cause allergic reactions.
Mineral Oil - Manufactured from crude oil. A mixture of liquid hydrocarbons separated from petroleum. Petrolatum, paraffin or paraffin oil, and propylene glycol are other common forms for mineral oil. Clogs skin keeping it from taking in oxygen and releasing toxins. Highly acne-producing. Can cause both sun-sensitivity and chapping the very problems it is promoted to alleviate. Toxic.
Oleyl Betaine - Synthetic surfactant used for antistatic action in shampoos and hair lotions. It cause dandruff, dryness and allergic reactions, and could be toxic when absorbed into the body.
PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) - A softener and binder widely used in body products and is a petroleum product. Allergic reactions.
Propyl Gallate - An antioxidant. Can cause skin reactions and skin irritations. Toxic.
Propylene Glycol - The key ingredient of antifreeze. Like SLS, a chemical borrowed from industry for body products apparently in the 60s. A common moisture-carrying vehicle, highly penetrative and solvent, used in moisturizers, creams, lotions, shampoos, mouthwashes, perfumes, make-up, hair products, deodorants, shaving cream, etc. Propylene glycol was found ("The Medical Post" September 1994) to produce an increase in anxiety due to increased brain beta activity in people who are chemically sensitive. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. Possible carcinogen, can cause allergic and toxic reactions.
Propylene Glycol
Industrial Use Personal Care Product
1. Anti-Freeze
2. Brake and Hydraulic Fluid
3. Paint
4. Floor Wax
5 . Shampoos
6. Hair Conditioners
7. Hand and Body Lotions
8. Skin and Beauty Creams
9. Deodorants
Implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities; can inhibit cell growth in human tests and can damage membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage.
Propylene Glycol causes a significant number of reactions and was a primary irritant to the skin in low levels of concentrations.
-The American Academy of Dermatologists Inc, Jan 1991 Propylene glycol, found in most moisturizers, is industrial anti-freeze "Your skin runs on water, not anti-freeze." Propylene glycol can penetrate into the skin and cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage according to Material Safety Data Sheets.
Propylene Glycol Stearate - Combinations of petroleum derivatives, carbon salts and vegetable alcohol derivatives used as emulsifiers creams. Can cause rashes and other allergic reactions. Could be toxic when absorbed into the body.
PVP - A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays and perm solutions. When particles are inhaled into the lungs of sensitive persons, it can be toxic.
Quaternium - An ammonium slat used in many products. Causes eye irritations, hair loss, scalp scales similar to dandruff, and serious allergic reactions. Toxic.
Sodium C14 - 16& Olefin Sulfonate - Used in shampoos and other products as wetting agents. They are petroleum-derived and cause allergic reactions. Toxic.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Cetyl Sulfacte, Sodium Laureth Sulfate - Synthetic substances used in shampoos, liquid soap, shower gel, dish soaps, toothpastes, bubble baths, detergents and foam-builders. SLS was industrial garage floor cleaner before someone got the bright idea to market it to the body product industry. Children's bubble baths contain labels warning us not to leave kids in for too long. They can get urinary tract infections. They cause eye irritations, may inhibit eye development in children (has caused corneal damage to animals), skin rashes, hair loss, scalp buildup similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions. They are frequently disguised in pseudo-natural products with the parenthetic explanation "comes from coconut."
Sorbitan Stearate - A fatty acid derivative with some synthetic chemicals compounded into it for the purpose of solubilzing emulsions. Can cause allergic reactions.
Stearalkonium Chloride - A chemical found in hair conditioners and creams. Cause allergic reactions. Toxic.
Synthetic Fragrances - The synthetic fragrances used in body and cleaning products may contain hundreds of chemicals. There is no way to know what they are, since on the label it will simply say, "Fragrance." Some of the problems caused by these chemicals are headaches, dizziness, rash, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation, etc. Fragrances draw from up to 5000 hydrocarbons. Some hydrocarbons are formaldehyde, styrene, toluene, phenol. Hydrocarbons can cause depression, exhaustion, anxiety, dizziness, headaches, trouble thinking clearly, diminished blood flow, and brain damage
Triethanolamine (TEA) Diethanolamine (DEA) - Often used in body products to adjust the ph and combined with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA and DEA cause allergic reactions, including eye problems and dryness. Could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.
COLLAGEN and ELASTIN of HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT Derived from animal skins and ground-up chicken feet. Both of these form films that may suffocate and over-moisturize the skin. BAR SOAPS Made from animal fat and lye may let bacteria feed and grow in it. May corrode and dry the skin.
Many of the hyped up additives found in most brands cannot penetrate the skin because of their high-molecular weight, so they are of little benefit. For example: procollagen, collagen, elastin, cross-linked elastin, and hyaluronic acids... Other virtually useless additives are insoluble oil-based Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate).
Placental Extracts, and Royal Bee Jelly. pH pH stands for the power of the hydrogen atom. Skin and hair do not have a pH. A scale from 0 to 14 is used to measure acidity and alkalinity of solutions. pH 7.0 is neutral. Acidity increases as the pH number decreases and alkalinity increases as the pH number increases. Usually the pH of a skin care product will not change the natural pH of the hair or skin because the hair and skin contain keratin, fatty acids and other substances that adjust the pH levels with which they come into contact.