Harmful ingredients to avoid!
PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Called a humectant in cosmetics, it is a mineral oil used in “hydraulic fluid” and industrial anti-freeze. A strong skin irritant it can also cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.
SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE / SODIUM LAURETH SULPHATE
These are also very commonly used, as they are very cheap. These are harsh detergents that strip the skin and cause contact dematitis. These are the exact same lathering cleansers you find in your dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo and toothpaste. These substances cause canker sores in the mouth from using toothpaste, and irritates women and girls who take bubble baths. These ingredients indicate a low quality product, no matter what the cost, and they will make your skin age faster. This is often used with a numbing agent in case it gets in your eyes, like with many popular baby shampoos, so they seem gentle.
MINERAL OIL
A commonly used ingredient, as it is a very inexpensive substance. This is basically petroleum, like what you put in your car. It is known to clog pores and while it does not moisturize as many believe, it will trap water inside the skin. A product containing this ingredient, especially if it is an expensive product, is something to beware of. An expensive product containing this has no commitment to quality ingredients. It is a substitute for rich plant oils like jojoba, almond oil, apricot kernel oil, etc.
DIOXINS
A potentially carcinogenic by-product that results from the process used to bleach paper.
Dioxin treated containers can transfer dioxins to the product in the container.
FORMALDEHYDE
A toxic, colourless gas that is an irritant and a carcinogen. When combined with water, formaldehyde
is used as a disinfectant, fixative or preservative. Found in many cosmetic products and conventional
nail care systems.
ALUMINUM
A metallic element used extensively in the manufacture of aircraft components is an ingredient in anti-perspirants, antacids and antiseptics. Associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
FLUOROCARBONS
A colorless , non-flammable gas or liquid that can produce mild upper respiratory tract irritation. Fluorocarbons are commonly used as a propellant in hairsprays.
LANOLIN
A fatty substance extracted from wool, which is frequently found in cosmetics and lotions. Lanolin is a common skin sensitiser that can cause allergic reactions, such as skin rashes.
TALC
Routine application of talc in the genital area is associated with 3-4 times increased risk of ovarian cancer.
TRIETHANOLAMINE
This is an emulsifier and also strips the lipid barrier from the skin. In addition to this, the University of Bologna, Italy has found it to be the most frequent 'sensitizer' among commonly used emulsifiers in the US. A sensitizer might sound tame, but skin cells which are more sensitive are also exposed to a plethora of conditions which can increase the chance of abnormal cell reproduction and/or hyperpigmentation.
BENTONITE
These are clays in foundations that may clog and suffocate the skin. Bentonite is used to suffocate forest fires.
COLLAGEN and ELASTIN of HIGH-MOLECULAR WEIGHT
Derived from animal skins and ground up chicken feet. Both of these ingredients form films that may suffocate and flood the skin with too much moisture.
BAR SOAPS
Made from animal fat and lye. Bacteria feeds and grows on it. Corrodes the skin and dries it out. Many of the "hyped" ingredients procollagen, collagen, elastin, and hylauronic acids found in cosmetic brands cannot penetrate the skin because of high-molecular weight and are of little benefit.
|
Linear Mode
