Chemicals in Cosmetics

Here is a list with just a few of the chemicals we have found in some normal skincare including toothpaste, cosmetics and suncream. We are sure you will find it as disturbing as we did!

Below each chemical we have listed our references if you fancy some further reading, and we have also linked the pages we have used for reference from Wikipedia so you can also see their references. All you need to do is click on 'wikipedia' when it is highlighted. That way the information is available to everyone. If there are chemicals not on the list that you would like to know about, please contact us and we will look into it for you. Please be sure to use the scroll down button next to the text in the bottom left hand corner. Enjoy!

1,4 Dioxane:

Commonly used as a foaming agent and is a probable carcinogen (causes cancer). Toxic, harmful via inhalation, ingestion and absorbtion, and an irritant.

(References: Material Saftey Data Sheet)

Talc:

In its natural form talc can contain asbestos, a known carcinogen. Irritating to eyes and skin, it is commonly used as a lubricant, filler or astringent. Several studies have linked talc to cancer

(References: Material Safety Data Sheet and the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety)

Isopropyl Alcohol:

When this substance comes into contact with air, it can form very dangerous peroxides and fomaldehyde (carcinogen), and is typically used as a cleaner and solvent. An irritant to eyes, throat and mucous membranes, prolonged use may also cause sensitivity, eczema, in coordination and narcosis. Ingestion will cause stomach pain, nausea and sickness, and may even cause coma and death!

(References: National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety)

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate:

This has many forms and names, normally listed as SLS, ALS etc, and one form or another is pretty much any skin care product you can think of! SLS is commonly used as an engine degreaser, floor cleaner, and in pesticides, but also in our shampoos!! It causes irritation on contact with the skin, and eyes and mucous membranes. Contact with the skin may cause allergic reactions. In regards to handling it safely, it is reccomended that if you get it on your skin, to rinse with large amounts of water and soap, but yet, we put this on our skin to clean it!

Repeated use may cause dermatitus. Ingestion will cause upset stomach and sickness.

'Beauty to Die For' author Judi Vance says, shampoos with SLS could retard healing and keep childrens eyes from developing properly, and can actually cause cataracts in adults. It also builds up in the heart, liver and brain, and can cause major problems. It strips off the top layer of skin causing flaking and roughness.

Author of 'Health Wars', Phillip Day says it actually corrodes the hair follicle and impairs its ability to grow new hair.

(References: Material Safety Data Sheet, 'Beauty to Die For' by Judi Vance, 'Health Wars' by Phillip Day and Wikipedia)

2-brono-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol aka BNPD/Bronopol:

Used as a preservative, can form nitrosamines and formaldehyde (carcinogens) It is harmful if swallowed and in contact with the skin! May cause serious damage to eyes.

(References: Material Saftey Data Sheet, and Wikipedia)

Coal Tar Dyes, including 2,-4 Diaminoanisole:

Used in lipsticks and hair dyes. According to the New Jersey Depatrment of Health and Senior Services and their Hazordous Substances fact sheet, should be handled as carcinogens. In the US, when these dyes are used, the product must carry a warning stating that it causes cancer to animals. They can cause liver and thyroid damge, tremors, weakness, trouble with breathing and stomach upsets.

(References: New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Servics, and The Ecologist, with articles by Pat Thomas)

Cocoamidopropyl Betaine(Coco-betaine):

Used as a detergent, causes irritation to eyes and skin and if inhaled, trouble with breathing. If ingested, can cause stomach upsets, cramps and nausea.

(References: Material Safety Data Sheet)

Diazolidinyl Urea:

A skin sensitiser and irritant to skin and eyes. A formaldehyde (carcinogen) releasing preservative. Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause target organ damage.

(References: National Library of Medecine, and Material Safety Data Sheet)

Formaldehyde:

A carcinogen. Very toxic. Causes burns on contact. Toxic when inhaled, ingested or through absorbtion, and it is rapidly absorbed. A mutagen. May cause damage to kidneys. May cause allergic reactions, sensitisation and genetic damage. Used as a preservative, very destructive to mucous membranes, eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

(References: Material Saftey Data Sheet and National Institue of Occupational Health and Safety)

Imidazolidinyl Urea:

In combination with parabens, it is a very widely used preservative system. Produced as a byproduct in the distilation of other chemicals including formaldehyde. It is classed as a toxic substance with the Environmental Protection Agency, and is also used in pesticides. It remains on the skin for hours, allowing more and more absorbtion to take place, and can cause dermatitus.

(References: National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety, and the National Cancer Institue)

Fragrance:

Roughly 95% of ingredients used for fragrance are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum and coal tar dyes. Some of which are known toxics, sensitisers, carcinogens, and can cause birth defects, central nervous system disorders, allergic reactions, migraines, and asthma attacks. Even when products state they are fragrance free this holds no legal bearing, and does not actually mean they are fragrance free.

(References: An article by Lynn Tondat Ruggeri PH.D)

Lanolin:

Wool fat/grease that comes from sheep. Used as a rust preventative and lubricant. Can be contaminated with pesticides.

(References: Orgainc Consumers Association, and Wikipedia)

Mineral Oil/Liquid Petroleum:

This is a byproduct in the making of petrol. It has at least 50 varieties. It can affect the lungs of animals and give them cancer, and is a known carcinogen to humans. Irritant to eyes, skin and respiratory tract, and can cause central nervous system disorders, headaches, dizziness and drowsiness.

(References: Occupational Safety of Health and Admin report and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)

Paraben Preservatives, Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl:

Endocrine (hormonal system in the body) disruptors, harmful when absorbed. Can cause contact dermatitus, and have been linked to potential breast cancer risks. If inhaled or ingested, can cause central nervous system disorders, sickness, dizziness, respiratoy irritation, unconsciousness and coma. Safety measures recommended with skin contact from the material saftey data sheet - rinse with large amounts of water for 15 mins and get medical aid.

(References: Environmental Working Group and Material Safety Data Sheet)

Phthalates:

Used as a lubricant in nail varnish and in the use of making plastic. Studies on rats showed liver and kidney damage, lung damage and changes to testes. It mimics oestrogen, so can cause hormonal changes, and studies have linked them to asthma, rhinitis, excema, altered genital development in boys, and possibly lupus. There are studies showing some phthalates in new born babies that have reched them by crossing the placenta, and brest milk, and can cause birth defects, and DNA damage to sperm in men

(References: An article in New Scientist by Andy Coghlan and the Phthalate Information Centre and articles by the BBC)

DEA, MEA, TEA:

Used as foaming agents. Dr Samuel Epstein, a proffessor of environmental health at the University of Ilinois said that repeated use resulted in a major increase in liver and kidney cancer. Chronic exposure may cause liver and kidney damage, and is severely irritating to skin and body tissue, they also react to nitrosating agents to form nitrosamines which are carcinogenic.

(References: Material Safety Data Sheet and articles by Dr Samuel Epstein on the Prevent Cancer website)

Toulene:

Used in nail varnishes, a flammable liquid that may irritate eyes, mucous membranes and respiratory tract. Harmful or fatal if ingested. Aspiration can cause damage to the lungs and chemical pnuemonia. Based on animal testing, it can cause adverse effects on the reproductive system. It can also cause contact dermatitus, drying, swelling, blistering and cracking of the skin, central nervous system disorders and severe tissue damage.

(References: Material Safety Data Sheet, and 'Beautys Ugly Face' by Susan Mitchell)

Sodium Hydroxide:

Used in creams and toothpaste, may be fatal if swallowed! Harmful if inhaled, causes burns to area of contact, reacts to water and other materials. Corrosive to skin and eyes, and can cause long-term tissue damage.

(References: Material Safety Data Shett)

Propylene Glycol:

May be harmful and cause skin and eye irritation. Used in medecines, cosmetics, food and tabacco, but also as a deicer and anti-freeze and as the killing agent in pitfall traps used to capture beetles.

(References: Material Safety Data Sheet and wikipedia)

Pottasium Hydroxide:

Corrosive, may cause serious burns and is harmful by ingestion, inhaltion and absorbtion. Seriously damaging to eyes.

(References: Material Safety Data Sheet)

PABA'S including Padimate-o:

These are endocrine (hormone) disruptors, and are bad for the development of the reproductive system. Forms nitrosamines, formaldehyde (carcinogens) when mixed with other ingredients. Quite often used in suncream, but can break down to form free radicals, actually increasing our risk of skin cancer.

(Referencce: Articles in the Ecologist by Pat Thomas, and the Environmental Working Group Ingredients report)

A few chemicals in some Suncreams:

Butylmethoxydibenzoyl Methane:

Used as a UVA filter. Can cause rashes and allergic reactions. May break down into chemicals that inhibit the skins natural defense against sunlight, making us more vulnerable and prone to sun damage.

(References: Articles by Pat Thomas in the Ecologist)

Octocrylene:

A UVB filter, part of the cinamate family, an irritant, hormone disruptor, and Norweigen Scientists say it can cause the death of animal cells.

(References: Articles in the Ecologist by Pat Thomas)

Cinamates including Oxybenzone:

Talk about saving the best for last. Cinamates are known hormone disruptors that mimic oestrogen, and are irritating to eyes and skin. Geoffrey Lean said that according to Swiss data and the University of California that Oxybenzone has changed the sex of male fish! It washes off us in the shower, travels through the sewage works untouched and settles on the sea bed where the fish eat it. The male fish were growing ovaries out of their testes. Also leads to formation of Octocrylene and 4 methylbenzylidene camphor.

(References: Environmanetal Working Group and article by Geoffrey Lean in the Independent)