Cosmetic & Personal Care Ingredients to Avoid

The personal and beauty care market is completely unregulated by the FDA. There are many chemicals that are put into the products that you may use everyday on your face, hair, nails and body that have the potential to cause frightening health consequences.

I have put together a list of the most common chemicals that are found in everyday products that you probably use. This way you can take the health of your body into your own hands.

* Bismuth Oxychloride

Reason for Concern: causes itching, breakouts and general irritation as it is a heavy metal.

Found in: products with a pearlescent finish.

* Ethyl Acetate

Reason for Concern: Irritant to the eyes, skin and lungs. Vapors may cause dizziness and drowsiness and it is highly flammable.

Found in: mascara, perfumes, nail products and tooth whiteners.

* Hydroquinone

Reason for Concern: respiratory intoxicant, suspected to cause a skin disease called ochronois, and may cause cancer.

Found in: skin lightening products.

* P-Phenylenediamine

Reason for Concern: may cause cancer, neurological and endocrine damage, asthma and is a respiratory irritant.

Found in: shampoo, hair dyes and hair sprays.

* Toluene

Reason for Concern: liver and kidney damage, can be toxic to infants and children and potentially may cause cancer.

Found in: nail products and hair dyes.

* Sodium/Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (LSL)

Reason for Concern: skin irritant and alters skin structure allowing chemicals to deeply penetrate the skin.

Found in: toothpaste, sunscreen, perfumes, shampoo, conditioner, whiteners andmoisturizers.

* Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Reason for Concern: causes neurotoxicity, eye and skin irritation.

Found in: lipsticks, fragrances, moisturizers, lotions, shampoo, conditioner, foundations and acne treatments.

* Parabens

Reason for Concern: skin irritation, rash, dermatitis or allergic skin reactions.

Found in: shampoo, conditioner, whiteners, lotions, insect repellents and liquid skin and hair products.

* Diazolidinyl Urea

Reasons for Concern: linked to cancer and endocrine system disruption.

Found in: fragrances, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, foundations, eye make-up, lipsticks and liquid hand soaps.

* Diethanolamine (DEA)

Reason for Concern: toxic to immune system, irritant to skin and may form carcinogenic nitrosamines.

Found in: shampoo, body wash, cleansers, bath oils, bar soaps, moisturizers, deodorants, body scrubs and hair sprays.

* Formaldehyde

Reason for Concern: known human carcinogen, potentially toxic to human immune,respiratory, reproductive and cardiovascular systems.

Found in: nail products, hair dyes, deodorants, shampoo, soaps, shaving creams and gels.

* Petroleum & Petroleum By Products

Reason for Concern: may cause allergic reactions, contains impurities that cause cancer and liver toxicity.

Found in: creams, lotions, styling gels, eyebrow pencils, mascara, lip products and liquid powders.

* Phthalates (Dibutyl Phthalate, (DBP) Diethyl Phthalate

Reason for Concern: damage to liver, kidney and lungs.

Found in: fragrances, hair sprays, nail polishes, deodorants, hair gels, lotions and moose.

* Talc

Reason for Concern: respiratory irritant
Found in: baby powder, blush, eye shadows, face powders, deodorants and soaps.

* Prophylene Glycol

Reason for Concern: alters skin structure and allows toxic ingredients to penetrate bloodstream, skin irritant and may cause allergic reactions.

Found in: shampoo, conditioner, body washes, toothpastes, moisturizers, colognes, deodorants, nail polishes and eye shadows.

* Triethanolamine

Reason for Concern: may form carcinogenic compounds and it is one of the most potent cancer causing agents.

Found in: shampoo, lotions, creams and soaps.

* Butylated Acetate

Reason for Concern: causes skin dryness and cracking.

Found in: nail polish and treatments.

* Triclosan

Reason for Concern: may cause cancer and reproductive toxicity.

Found in: liquid hand soaps, body wash, toothpaste and lipsticks.

* Synthetic Fragrance

Reason for Concern: neurotoxicity, allergies and immunotoxicity.

Found in: moisturizers, shampoo, conditioner, cleansers, body washes, hair dyes, deodorants, styling gels and facial treatments.

* Methacrylate Monomers (MMA)

Reason for Concern: causes skin, eye and respiratory irritation, with potential to cause neurological damage ranging from headaches and dizziness to memory loss.

Found in: most artificial nails.

* Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, AHA (Alpha hydroxy acid), BHA (Beta hydroxy acid)

Reason for Concern: developmental and reproductive toxicity.

Found in: anti-aging, moisturizers, and acne treatment products.

* Padimate-O, PABA

Reason for Concern: irritation of the eyes, rashes and allergic reactions.

Found in: sunscreens and hair dyes.

* Cocomide DEA/Lauramide DEA

Reason for Concern: may form carcinogenic nitrosamines

Found in: shampoo, body wash, cleansers, bath oils, liquid soaps, bar soaps and moisturizers.

* Coal-Tar Colors (FD&C or D&C)

Reason for Concern: known human respiratory toxin and possible cancer risk.

Found in: shampoo, psoriasis relief liquid.

Check out Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database from The Environmental Working Group. It is a searchable database of toxic ingredients in cosmetic and personal care products.

Photo Courtesy of powerbooktrance

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