The HIGH Cost of Beauty

For me, living a “cleansing lifestyle” is the only way to go. Its something that didn’t happen overnight but slowly evolved over years, not only does it involve putting the very best foods in my body (unprocessed, organic) but also putting the very best ON my body! I think its pretty pointless to eat organic, drink green juice, partake in a cleansing diet and juice fasts if I’m just going to assault my body on a daily basis with chemical laden skincare and cosmetics. Did you know that whatever we put on our skin ends up in our bloodstream?  It has been proven that if you were to step barefooted on a garlic clove within 5 minutes you will taste it on your breath. We are assaulted by too many toxins on a daily basis – even when living what would be considered a clean life. If there are natural alternatives out there, why not use them?  Our skin is our largest organ – it absorbs everything we put on it – every soap, every lotion, every deodorant, every cosmetic – all absorbed through our skin and into our bloodstream.  As women we are especially susceptible for a few reasons:

 

A) we are consistent consumer and users of skincare, body care & hair care products – I challenge every woman to compare her amount of products to any man in her life – guaranteed, she will have 10 for each one of his!

B) We are also vulnerable as being the great possessors of one of the most powerful hormones – Estrogen (which can be a double edged sword) – estrogen allows us to hold onto fat – good for somethings, not good for others as fat is the main place where toxins are stored. The chemicals & toxins in many products will be stored in fat stores.

C) THE BIGGIE – many of these chemicals are hormone disruptors, they will mess with the endocrine system big time –  even raising estrogen levels – so this is a double whammy of sorts – the chemicals will raise your estrogen levels, which will promote fat storage, which will in turn allow your body to store more toxins!!!  

Beauty SHOULD not come as such a dangerously high cost.

The list below may overwhelm you, just remember there is an alternative to every favorites shampoo, hairspray, nail polishe, body lotion,  etc.  I’m not suggesting you throw out everything immediately, but as your current products run out, try to replace them with chemical free counterparts.  A good place to start would be the ones that have been banned in other countries!!!  Dirty Thirty is a list of 30 chemical ingredients that have been linked to cancer. Many have been banned by the European Union on suspicion of their toxicity. What you may not know is that many of the biggest manufacturers of these products reformulate without these chemicals for the European market, but continue to manufacture with these potentially dangerous chemicals for the US market.  While the list is a bit exhaustive, read through and decide – are the risks really worth it? For me personally they’re not – Organic, chemical free skincare doesn’t have to be uber expensive, it can be as simple as swapping out using baby oil or other moisturizer in favor of coconut oil.  

1. ALUMINUM ZIRCONIUM and OTHER ALUMINUM COMPOUNDS
Function: Used to control sweat and odor in the underarms by slowing down the production of sweat.
Present in: Antiperspirants. Banned by EU.
Health concerns: Linked to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease; may be linked to breast cancer; probable neurotoxin; possible nervous system, respiratory, and developmental toxin.

2. BENZYL ACETATE 
Function: Solvent; hidden within “fragrance.”
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products.
Health concerns: Linked to pancreatic cancer; easily absorbs into skin causing quick systemic effects; animal studies show hyperemia of the lungs; possible gastrointestinal, liver, and respiratory toxicant; possible neurotoxin.

3. BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE and BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE 
Function: Antimicrobial agent, deodorant, preservative, biocide.
Present in: Moisturizer, sunscreen, facial cleanser, acne treatment, pain relief. Restricted in Japan and Canada. 
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; may trigger asthma; possible organ system toxicant; animal studies show endocrine disruption and brain, nervous system, respiratory and blood effects; possible carcinogen.

4. BRONOPOL
Function: Preservative.
Present in: Moisturizer, body wash, facial cleanser, makeup remover, anti-aging products. Restricted in Canada.                                                                   Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; lung and skin toxicant; animal studies show endocrine disruption and gastrointestinal, brain and nervous system effects; irritant.

5. BUTYL ACETATE 
Function: Solvent in polishes and treatments, prevents chipping.
Present in: Nail polish and nail treatments.
Health concerns: Repeated exposure causes skin dryness and cracking; vapors may induce drowsiness or dizziness; flammable.

6. BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE (BHT)/ BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE (BHA)
Function: Anti-Oxidant; slows down the rate at which product ingredients change in color.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products.
Banned by EU.
Health Concerns: Immune system toxicant; endocrine disruptor; probable human carcinogen; animal studies show brain, liver, neurotoxin, reproductive and respiratory toxicant.

7. ETHOXYLATED INGREDIENTS:CETEARETH/PEG COMPOUNDS 
Function: Surfactant, emulsifying or cleansing agent, penetration enhancer.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products.
Health concerns: Animal studies show brain, nervous system and sense organ effects; irritant; reproductive and skin toxin, alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin and increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream; may contain harmful impurities.

8. COAL TAR 
Function: Controls itching and eczema, softens and promotes the dissolution of hard, scaly, rough skin, also used in hair dyes.
Present in: Shampoo and Hair Dye. Banned by Canada and EU. 
Health concerns: Known human carcinogen; skin and respiratory toxicant.

9. COCAMIDE DEA/ LAURAMIDE DEA
Function: used as foaming agents in shampoos and bath products, and as emulsifying agents in cosmetics; foaming and cleansing agents for “mouth feel.”
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products.
Health concerns: Human immune system toxicant; forms carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents; animal studies show sense organ effects and skin irritation; may contain harmful impurities.

10. DIETHANOLAMINE (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA)
Function: pH adjuster.
Present in: Sunscreen, moisturizer, foundation, hair color.
Health concerns: Skin and immune system toxicant; possible carcinogen; irritant; studies show endocrine disruption and neuro developmental, brain and nervous system effects; may trigger asthma.

11. ETHYL ACETATE 
Function: Solvent.
Present in: Nail polish products, mascara, tooth whitening, perfume.
Health concerns: Probable neurotoxin; possible nervous system toxin; possible carcinogen; irritant; highly flammable

12. FORMALDEHYDE 
Function: Disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, preservative.
Present in: Deodorant, nail polish, soap, shampoo, shaving cream. Restricted in Canada. Banned by EU. 
Health concerns: Immune system, repertory, hematological, and skin toxicant; KNOWN carcinogen and cardiovascular toxicant; can damage DNA; may trigger asthma; animal studies show organ, brain, and nervous system effects; possible human development toxicant.

13. FORMALDEHYDE-RELEASING PRESERVATIVES ( QUATERNIUM-15, DMDM HYDANTOIN, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA AND IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, DEA, MEA, TEA) 
Function: Anti-microbial preservative Examples: diazolindyl urea, imidazolindyl urea are common preservatives that release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, that is irritating to the mucous membranes and known to cause contact dermatitis, headaches and internal bleeding.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products.
Health concerns: Forms nitrosamines when in the presence of amines such as MEA, DEA and TEA; probable immune system, blood, cardiovascular and skin toxicant; KNOWN carcinogen;studies show endocrine disruption, nervous system and organ system effects; may contain harmful impurities.

14. FRAGRANCE (PARFUM) 
Function: Deodorant, masking, perfuming
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; possible neurotoxin; can contain between 10 and 300 different chemicals, many of which have never been tested for safety; see phthalates. Labeling can be confusing. If uncertain, check with manufacture.

15. HYDROQUINONE 
Function: Antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, skin bleaching agent, hair colorant.
Present in: Skin fading/lightener, facial moisturizer, anti-aging, sunscreen, hair color, facial cleanser and moisturizer. Restricted in Canada. 
Health concerns: Immune system and respiratory toxicant; probable neurotoxin; possible carcinogen; irritant; studies show endocrine disruption. 

16. IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE 
Function: Preservative.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products. Restricted in Japan. 
Health concerns: Human toxicant; possible liver immune system toxin; allergenic.

17. LEAD and LEAD COMPOUNDS 
Function: Colorant.
Present in: Hair dye, hair products. Traces found in some red lipstick. Restricted in Canada.
Health concerns: Probable carcinogen; developmental, respiratory, gastrointestinal and reproductive toxicant; reduced fertility; studies show metabolic, brain and nervous system effects; suspected nano-scale ingredients with potential to absorb into the skin

18. METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE (MI/MCI) and METHYLCHLOROISOTHAIZOLINONE 
Function: Preservative.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products. Restricted in Canada and Japan. 
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; animal studies show restricted growth of the axons and dendrites of immature nerves, neurotoxicity and positive mutation results; can lead to a malfunction in the way neurons communicate with each other; especially detrimental to a developing nervous system.

19. OXYBENZONE (BENZPENONE-3) 
Function: Sunscreen Agent; Ultraviolet Light Absorber, UV Absorber; UV Filter.
Present in: Sunscreens and makeup
Health concerns: Associated with photoallergic reactions and immunotoxicity. Carcinogen and endocrine disrupter; Enhanced skin absorption and bioaccumulates to dangerous levels; biochemical cellular changes. Developmental and reproductive toxicity.

20. PARABENS (METHYL, ETHYL, PROPYL AND BUTYL) 
Function: Preservative and anti-bacterial agent.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: May alter hormone levels, possibly increasing risk for certain types of cancer, impaired fertility, or alteration of the development of a fetus or young child; studies have found parabens in breast tumors; probable skin toxicant; animal studies show brain and nervous system effects.

21. PETROLATUM (PETROLEUM) & MINERAL OIL
Function: Forms barrier on skin; makes lipsticks shine and creams smoother; inexpensive skin softener.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products. Banned by EU. 
Health concerns: May be contaminated with impurities, linked to cancer or other significant health problems.
Examples: mineral oil, petroleum, liquid paraffin; A petroleum by-product that interferes with the skin’s natural functions, clogs the pores, exacerbates acne, and is highly likely to be contaminated with carcinogens that are linked to breast cancer

22. PHTHALATES (DIBUTYL PHTHALATES) 
Function: Fragrance ingredient, plasticizer, solvent.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, nail polish, perfume, deodorant, hair products. Banned in EU.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; developmental and reproductive toxin; respiratory toxicant; probable neurotoxin; know to cause damage to the liver, kidney, lungs and reproductive system, carcinogen and endocrine disruptor. Causes birth defects, lowers sperm counts and increases breast cancer risk. bio-accumulative in wildlife.

23. P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE (PPD) 
Function: Hair colorant.
Present in: Hair dye, shampoo, hair spray. Restricted in Canada.
Health concerns: Immune system and respiratory toxicant; probable neurotoxin; causes eczema; possible nervous system, skin, kidney and liver toxicant; irritant; may trigger asthma and gastritis; shown to cause cancer in animal studies.

24. PROPYLENE GLYCOL 
Function: Solvent, penetration enhancer, conditions skin, controls viscosity and keeps products from melting in high or freezing when it is cold. Made from the same chemical that is used to create anti-freeze
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products.
Health concerns: Alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin and increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream; animal studies show reproductive effects, positive mutation results, brain and nervous system effects and endocrine disruption.

25. SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE 
Function: Surfactant, penetration enhancer, foaming agent
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin, increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream; Irritant; studies show sense organ effects. Known to cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. Often disguised as natural product with the term “derived from coconut” 

26. TALC 
Function: Absorbs moisture, anti-caking agent, bulking agent.
Present in: Blush, powder, eye shadow, baby powder, deodorant.
Health concerns: Carcinogen; link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer; talc particles are similar to asbestos particles and data suggests that it can cause tumors in the lungs; probable respiratory toxin;

27. TOLUENE 
Function: Antioxidant, solvent to improve adhesion and gloss.
Present in: Nail polish and hair dye.
Health concerns: Liver toxin; probable developmental, nervous system and respiratory toxin; possible cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, renal and sense organ toxin; possible carcinogen and reproductive toxin; irritant; highly flammable;

28. TRICLOSAN 
Function: Anti-bacterial agent, deodorant, preservative, biocide. Reduces and controls bacterial contamination on the hands and on treated products.
Present in: Antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, face wash and cleaning supplies. Restricted in Japan and Canada.
Health concerns: Probable endocrine disrupter and carcinogen; easily bio-accumulates to dangerous levels; irritant;  studies show reproductive and other broad systematic effects; potentially contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other significant health problems; studies have shown it can actually induce cell death when used in mouth washes. 

29. TREITHANOLAMINE (TEA) 
Function: Fragrance ingredient, pH adjuster, surfactant.
Present in: Hand & body lotion, shaving creams, soap, shampoo, bath powders and moisturizer.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; possible carcinogen; animal studies show endocrine disruption; may trigger asthma; forms carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents.

30. 1,4 DIOXANE 
Function: Penetration enhancer
Present in: Body lotion, moisturizers, sunless tanning products, baby soap, anti-aging products…
Health concerns: EPA classifies it as a probable carcinogen found in 46 of 100 personal care products marketed as organic or natural, and the National Toxicology Program considers it a known animal carcinogen. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to high levels of 1,4 dioxane has caused vertigo, drowsiness, headache, anorexia and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs