You simply wouldn’t believe the dangers that lie in today’s most innocuous skin care products. These products are advertised as being extra kind to your skin, giving you a natural and healthy look, but when you look at the ingredients they contain, they will bring more than just a healthy glow to your cheeks if you use them.
I’ve created my own AZ of horrors just so you know what not to apply to your delicate skin.
If you find any of the following ingredients listed as safe in your skincare products, avoid them like the plague, or if you already have them, throw them away!
AHA’s: Found in skin creams, scrubs, and peels. These little beauties actually cause skin damage, and despite what the bottle says, they won’t help you look younger: AHAs will actually cause your skin to age prematurely.
Aluminum salts: Found in antiperspirants. for example, aluminum hydroxychloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum sulfate, etc. Aluminum actually blocks pores and is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.
Watery Cream – Most commonly prescribed for skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and diaper rash. The aqueous cream is paraffin and water in suspension. Clogs the pores. (See Paraffin and Mineral Oil) Butyl/methyl parabens: This is a preservative in most products, particularly antiperspirants. There are some links to breast cancer and it mildly mimics estrogen so should be avoided during pregnancy. It can cause rashes and allergic reactions. Only look for suppliers that do not use parabens in their products.
BHT: butylated hydroxytoluene, is a fat preservative found in cosmetics, skin creams, and petroleum products. BHT may be carcinogenic. (See Paraffin, Mineral Oil) Collagen: Found in most “luxury” skin creams. Collagen is often extracted from young animals and is a byproduct of slaughterhouses. 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 baths, shower gels, soaps, and cleansers. DEA is highly carcinogenic, especially to the kidneys and liver. The Dea family are hormone-disrupting chemicals that can cause allergic reactions, irritate the eyes, and dry out the hair and skin.
Euxyl K100: Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoyl Alcohol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Hydroxytoluene: Found in soaps and perfumes. These are severe skin irritants that can also affect the eyes and respiratory system. (Same as Kathon CG.)
Fragrance, Perfume/Parfum: Found in almost all products, even baby care. They are usually petroleum-based (see Petroleum, Vaseline) and are the most common cause of allergies. These are carcinogenic and toxic, causing headache, 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, 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 foods. Glycerin/ Glycerin is a slaughterhouse byproduct, made from animal bones. There are possible links to BSE. You should only use products that are made from vegetable glycerin, which is a more expensive product. If your label only says “Glycerin”, it will be of animal origin.
Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Myristate (alcohol): Found in hair rinses, body gels, hand creams, body lotions, aftershaves, fragrances, and 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 fissures in the skin that encourages bacterial growth. AN OUNCE INGESTED IS FATAL.
Kathon CG: Found in shampoos and hair care products, skin creams, ointments, and cosmetics. This is a component of antifreeze and wood preservatives and can cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis.
Lanolin: Found in many skin creams, hand and foot creams, cosmetics, hairspray, baby oils, and diaper rash products. Lanolin can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Since it is derived from sheep’s wool, it is likely contaminated with pesticides from sheep baths, including DDT. Mineral Oil: Found in skin creams, lotions, baby products, lip balms, cosmetics.
BABY OIL IS 100% MINERAL OIL! This covers the skin like a cling film and disrupts the skin’s immune barrier, as well as inhibiting its ability to breathe and absorb moisture or nutrition. The inability to release toxins results in blocked pores, blemishes, acne, and other skin disorders. It slows down the skin function and cell development and thus leads to premature aging of the skin. (See Paraffin)
Padimate – or (PABA) Or octyl dimethyl: found mainly in sunscreens. Similar to the DEA. The sun’s energy absorbed by sunscreens is converted to free radicals, which can actually INCREASE your risk of skin cancer. Paraffin/Petroleum Products: Found in skin creams, lotions, baby products, lip balms, cosmetics. This is also used as a lubricating oil in sewing machines, as well as floor wax. It prevents the absorption of vitamins and can clog pores. Its use can promote acne and may be carcinogenic. (See Mineral Oil) This group of products can cause sensitivity to sunlight and strip the skin’s natural oils, causing cracking, dryness and premature wrinkling.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG): Found in skin cleansers, creams, and lotions. Caustic and carcinogenic, PEG removes the skin’s “natural moisture factor” and leaves 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. However, I’m sure you deserve better treatment than your car; it is highly toxic and causes abnormalities in the brain, liver, and kidneys.
PVP/VA copolymer: Used in hairsprays. A petroleum based product. (See Petroleum / Vaseline)
Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulphate (SLS): Found in toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, conditioners, shower gel, bubble baths, creams, and skin lotions. This ingredient is very aggressive with the skin. It removes moisture and oils from the skin and hair causing damage including cracking, inflammation, rashes, hair loss, flaking skin, and mouth ulcers. It has been linked to cases of cancer and can accumulate in some 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 shampoo, conditioner, skin creams, lotions, and clothing. Silk Amino Acids are extracted from dead silkworms. Look for suppliers that 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 leading cause of ovarian cancer when used in the genital area. It can also lodge in the lungs causing respiratory disorders.
Sebum: 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 to BSE.
Triclosan: Found in toothpaste, mouthwash, antiseptic soaps and skin washes, detergents, deodorants, and cosmetics. Triclosan is extremely toxic and is used as a pesticide. This is not an organic ingredient and can also disrupt hormones in your body, as well as being a suspected carcinogen. It causes skin irritation and should not be swallowed as it can be toxic. The use of triclosan can lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Urea and DMDM Hydantoin: Found in all skin/hair/body care products, antiperspirants, and nail polishes. Releases formaldehyde, which irritates the respiratory system, causes skin reactions, heart palpitations, joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, 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 the pores. (See Mineral Oil and Paraffin) Ethical suppliers use NONE of these things in their products and because they are safe and free of the nasties they are most effective at keeping skin in top condition.
Always look for providers who believe in using the best 100% natural ingredients, sourced from ethical suppliers, so that you benefit from the purest form of skin care that is not only effective and therapeutic, but also pleasant to use.