You just wouldn’t believe the dangers lurking in the most innocuous skin care products these days. These products are advertised as being very gentle on your skin, giving you a healthy and natural look, but when you look at what ingredients are inside, it will add more than just a healthy glow to your cheeks if you use them.
I created my own A-Z of Horrors just to make you aware of what you shouldn’t apply to your delicate skin.
If you find any of the following ingredients on the list of skin care products, avoid them like the plague or, if you already have them, throw them in the trash!
AHA: Found in skin creams, exfoliators and peels. These little beauties actually cause skin damage, and despite what it says on the jar, they won’t help you look younger – AHAs will actually age your skin – and therefore you – prematurely.
Aluminum salts: found in antiperspirants. for example aluminum hydroxychloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum sulphate, etc. Aluminum actually blocks your pores and has links to Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.
Aqueous cream: Most often prescribed for skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and diaper rash. Aqueous cream is paraffin and water in suspension. It clogs the pores. (See Paraffin and Mineral Oil) Butyl/methyl parabens: This is a preservative in most products, especially antiperspirants. There are some links to breast cancer and it slightly mimics estrogen, so it should be avoided during pregnancy. It can cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. Only look for vendors that do not use parabens in their products.
BHT: butylated hydroxytoluene, is a fat preservative found in cosmetics, skin creams and petroleum products. BHT can be carcinogenic. (See Paraffin, Mineral Oil) Collagen: Found in most “luxury” skin creams. Collagen is often taken from young animals and is a slaughterhouse by-product. Research shows links to certain diseases caused by mutant collagen genes and there is a possible link to BSE.
Dea – Diethanolamine, Mea – Monoethanolamine, Tea – Triethanolamine: Found in hair and skin care cosmetics, bubble bath, shower gel, soap and cleansers. Dea is highly carcinogenic, especially to the kidneys and liver. The Dea family is a hormone disruptor and can cause allergic reactions, irritate the eyes, and dry hair and skin.
Euxyl K100: Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoyl Alcohol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Hydroxytoluene: Found in soaps and perfumes. They are serious skin irritants that can also affect the eyes and respiratory system. (Same as Kathon CG.)
Fragrance, Parfum/Parfum: Found in almost all products, even baby care. Usually petroleum-based (see Petroleum, Vaseline) and are the most common cause of allergies. These are carcinogenic and toxic, causing headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, respiratory problems, coughing, vomiting, allergic skin irritation, multiple chemical sensitivity, hyperactivity , irritability and behavioral changes.
FD&C or D&C color: Made from coal tar, it causes skin sensitivity and irritation. This has been known to cause death in some very extreme cases. Carcinogenic.
Glycerin / Glycerin: Found in most beauty products and foodstuffs. Glycerin / Glycerin is a slaughterhouse by-product, made from animal bones. There are possible links to BSE. You should only use vegetable glycerin based products which is a more expensive product. If your label simply says “Glycerin”, it will come from animal sources.
Isopropyl myristate, isopropyl myristate (alcohol): Found in hair rinses, body rubs, hand creams, body lotions, aftershaves, perfumes, cosmetics. Derived from petroleum and found in antifreeze. Even inhalation can cause headaches, dizziness, flushing, nausea, depression, vomiting and coma. It dries out the skin and hair, creates cracks and cracks in the skin, which promotes bacterial growth. ONE OUNCE INGESTED IS FATAL.
Kathon CG: Found in shampoos and hair care products, skin creams, ointments and cosmetics. It is a constituent of antifreeze and wood preservative and can cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis.
Lanolin: Found in many skin creams, hand and foot creams, cosmetics, hair sprays, baby oils, and diaper rash products. Lanolin can cause allergic contact dermatitis. As it is derived from sheep’s wool, it will likely be contaminated with pesticides from the sheep bath – including DDT. Mineral oil: Found in skin creams, lotions, baby products, lip balms, cosmetics.
BABY OIL IS 100% MINERAL! This coats the skin like a cling film and disrupts the skin’s immune barrier while inhibiting its ability to breathe and absorb moisture or nutrition. The inability to release toxins leads to clogged pores, blemishes, acne, and other skin disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development and therefore leads to premature aging of the skin. (See Paraffin)
Padimate – o (PABA) OR Octyl dimethyl: Found primarily in sunscreens. Similar to DEA. The sun’s energy absorbed by sunscreens is converted into free radicals, which can actually INCREASE the risk of skin cancer. Paraffin/Petrolatum Petroleum Products: Found in skin creams, lotions, baby products, lip balms, cosmetics. This is also used as lubricating oil in sewing machines as well as in floor wax. It prevents the absorption of vitamins and can clog pores. Its use can promote acne, and it can be carcinogenic. (See Mineral Oil) This group of products can cause sensitivity to sunlight and strips the skin’s natural oils, causing chapping, dryness and premature wrinkles.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG): found in cleansers, creams and skin lotions. Caustic and carcinogenic, PEG eliminates the “natural moisture factor” of the skin, leaving the immune system vulnerable. Propylene glycol (PG): Found in makeup, hair products, lotions, aftershaves, deodorants, toothpastes and mouthwashes. PG is one of the ingredients in antifreeze and is also found in brake fluid. I’m sure you deserve better treatment than your car; it is highly toxic, causing brain, liver and kidney abnormalities.
PVP/VA copolymer: Used in hair sprays. A petroleum-based product. (See Petroleum / Vaseline)
Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulphate (SLS): Found in toothpastes, mouthwashes, shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, bubble baths, skin creams and lotions. This ingredient is very aggressive for the skin. It strips moisture and oils from the skin and hair, causing damage such as cracking, inflammation, rashes, hair loss, peeling skin, and mouth ulceration. It has been linked to cases of cancer and can accumulate in certain vital organs of the body.
Spermataceti cetaceum: Found in “luxury” skin creams. This is obtained from the head of the sperm whale.
Silk Amino Acid: Found in shampoos, conditioners, skin creams, lotions, and clothes. Silk amino acids are extracted from dead silkworms. Look for suppliers who use Sea Silk, which is made from plant extracts
Talc: Found in baby powders, face powders, and body powders. Talc is a known carcinogen and a major cause of ovarian cancer when used in the genital area. It can also lodge in the lungs causing respiratory problems.
Tallow: Found in soaps, skin creams, lotions, hand and foot creams, lipsticks, cosmetics and candles. Tallow is made from beef fat and contains heavy metals and pesticides. There is a possible link with BSE.
Triclosan: found in toothpastes, mouthwashes, antiseptic soaps and skin cleansers, detergents, deodorants and cosmetics. Triclosan is extremely toxic and is used as a pesticide. It is not an environmentally friendly ingredient and it can also disrupt your body’s hormones, as well as being a suspected carcinogen. It causes skin irritation and should not be swallowed as it may be toxic. Using triclosan can lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Urea and Hydantoin DMDM: Found in all skin/hair/body care products, antiperspirants and nail polish. Releases formaldehyde, which irritates the respiratory system, causes skin reactions, palpitations, joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, asthma and cough, weakens the immune system and causes cancer.
Vaseline: Found in skin creams, lotions, baby products, lip balms, cosmetics. Destroys vitamins, can be carcinogenic. Clogs pores. (See Mineral Oil and Paraffin) Ethical suppliers use NONE of these things in their products and because they are safe and free of harmful substances, they are more effective at keeping the skin looking its best.
Always look for suppliers who believe in using the finest 100% natural ingredients, sourced from ethical suppliers, so that you get the purest form of skin care that is not only effective and therapeutic, but also pleasant to use.
