Nasty Chemicals to Avoid in Your Beauty Products
I concentrate so much on what I am consuming food wise. I’m always reading food labels and analysing the ingredients. I have to remind myself that what we put on our bodies is also extremely important.
Every lotion, cream, shampoo and makeup product that goes onto our skin, ends up being absorbed by our body. I certainly don’t want random chemical potions entering into my system and having harmful effects! No thank you!
Below are some big nasties to become familiar with. Try being as natural as possible, without being too hard on yourself.We are all learning here, and this is a journey that will take time as we replace toxic products we haven’t even realised we are using! Try use your own judgement when looking at ingredients, if you can’t pronounce the word, it is a nasty chemical ready to harm your body.I sometimes do a quick google search in the store if I am unsure.
I invite you to question where are these ingredients being sourced? Is it ethical?
How are these products being tested? And, who are you actually supporting by buying that particular product?
Shop and apply consciously.
Be kind to your body and treat it with the care it deserves.
Nasty Chemicals:
Synthetic Fragrances
Purpose: An assortment of chemicals used to artificially scent products.
Often found in: Perfumed products such as soap, makeup, conditioners and moisturisers.
Labelled as: Fragrance, aroma, parfum, perfume.
The nasty: Products are not required to disclose what ingredients are creating the fragrance in their products (as this would be handing over their secrets). Scary right! Basically, us as consumers are using various chemical potions without the option of even knowing what they are! These chemicals could be affecting YOU and you don’t know it yet. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, allergic reactions or even skin irritation and rashes. There have even been reports surrounding reproductive issues. Is it worth using hazardous chemicals that we are forced to be in the dark about. Honestly, does our eyeshadow have to smell like strawberries?
Advice: High quality essential oils or worthy products that disclose their ingredients.
2. Parabens
Purpose: A preservativeto extend a products shelf life, acting as an anti-bacterial agent.
Often found in: Deodorant, makeup, soap, skincare, hair care, body washes.
Labelled as: Any ingredient with ‘paraben’ attached. As well as, ingredients that include ‘ethyl’, ‘butyl’, ‘propyl’ and ‘methyl’.
The nasty: Easily absorbed into the skin. Research has shown parabens mimicking oestrogen in the body and therefore affecting hormone levels. Evidence suggests there is an affiliation between parabens and breast cancer, due to the detection of parabens found in breast cancer tissue. It has also been suggested parabens could affect fertility. Some countries are re-assessing industry standards. Best to be on the safe side, I think!
Advice: Buy products labelled paraben-free, check the ingredients, look for organic, use natural alternatives.
3. Synthetic Colours
Purpose: Artificially colours the product forappearance.
Often found in: Soap, makeup, skincare, haircare.
Labelled as: Colourant, FD&C (Food, Drug & Cosmetics), D&C, Lakes, Artificial colour names such as red 1, yellow 6 and blue 3.
The nasty: Made from coal tar (petroleum). Ultimately leading to allergies and skin irritations. Suspected carcinogenic.
Advice: Products don’t need to contain artificial colours when there are natural alternatives. For example, look for products that extract colours in a plant-based manner.
4. Phthalates
Purpose: Assist in preserving scent and colour.
Often found in: Perfumed products, hairspray, nail polish, children’s toys.
Labelled as: Dibutyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate. Not always labelled as fragrance ingredients are not required by law to be listed. Not cool.
The nasty: Linked to premature puberty, fertility and foetal development issues. Also believed to be a carcinogen, as well as links to obesity have been found. Hmm. Australia has prohibited some phthalates including diethylhexyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, dimethyl oxyhexyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate.
Advice: Read the ingredients, shop naturally.
5. Petrolatum & Mineral Oil
Purpose: Moisturiser and product preserver.
Often found in: Skincare, baby products, moisturisers, makeup, mascara.
Labelled as: Baby oil, mineral oil, petroleum jelly, petrolatum, petroleum distillates.
The nasty: By-product of petroleum and a potential carcinogen. Acts as a coating layer on top of the skin, which can prevent self-cleaning and breathing of the skin. Resulting in skin issues such as acne and premature aging.
Advice: Being a nasty cheap alternative to plant oils, always seek quality plant-based oils such as jojoba oil.
6. Triclosan & Triclocarban
Purpose: An antimicrobial chemical.
Often found in: Toothpaste, makeup, deodorant, hand sanitizer, antibacterial soap products.
Labelled as: Triclosan & Triclocarban.
The nasty: Known to disrupt hormones, skin irritably and effects on the immune system. Various studies are claiming that there is not enough evidence to prove that there is any benefit by washing with soap that contained triclosan as opposed to normal soap and water.
Advice: Plain old soap and water! If you are seeking antibacterial properties, think natural alternatives such as antibacterial oils like tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and citronella oil.
7. Formaldehyde
Purpose: Preservative toprevent bacteria growth & a by-product of some chemicals.
Often found in: Skincare, haircare, nail polish, makeup, hair straighteners, eyelash glue.
Labelled as: Formaldehyde, Formalin.
The nasty: Carcinogen, known for allergic reactions, irritable skin & eyes. Has been known to produce asthmatic affects. Certain chemicals have also been found to negatively release formaldehyde, these include: imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15 & Sodium hydroxylmethylglycinate.These are best to be avoided as well!
Advice: Read the ingredients, use natural products instead of these nasty chemicals.
8. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Purpose: Foams product.
Often found in: Skincare, haircare, makeup, hand wash, bubble bath and any foaming products.
Labelled as: SLS, SLES,Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Irium.
The nasty: Eye and lung damaging, acne & skin irritations. When mixed with other chemicals, nitrosamines are formed which is a carcinogen. Eugh. Can be drying and strip the body of its natural oils, this also enhances skin penetration so even more chemicals can be absorbed. No thanks!
Advice: Look for SLS-Free labelling on products. Sulphates can be derived from natural sources such as coconut oil.
9. Propylene Glycol and Butylene Glycol
Purpose: Moisturiser retention in products, thickens products.
Often found in: Skincare, haircare, makeup, sunscreen, hairspray.
Labelled as: Propylene Glycol, 1,2-Propanediol, PPG, Polypropylene Glycol), PEG, Polyethylene Glycol.
The nasty: Again, a believed carcinogen. Common reports of skin irritations, eczema, premature ageing and even hives. Ouch. Contains penetration enhancing properties, meaning it changes the skin composition allowing chemicals to be easily absorbed into the body.
Advice: Avoid. Read the ingredients.
10. Lead
Purpose: By-product of many synthetic colour additives.
Often found in: Lipsticks, whitening toothpastes, nail polish, hair dye.
Labelled as: Lead, lead flake, C.I. 77575,read over synthetic colours for more information.
The nasty: Not added to products on purpose but more a by-product of colour additives. Lead is believed to be a neurotoxin, having an association with an increase in aggression, learning difficulties and brain impairments.
Advice: Seek naturally coloured ingredients to use on your body.
11. Resorcinol
Purpose: Antiseptic and decontaminate.
Often found in: Acne, dermatitis treatments, hair dye.
Labelled as: Resorcinol & resorcin.
The nasty: Associated with thyroid issues, skin irritation and effects on the immune system.
Advice: Seek natural antiseptic alternatives such as antibacterial oils like tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and citronella oil.
12. Toluene
Purpose: A paint thinner and dissolver.
Often found in: Nail polish, hair dye.
Labelled as: Toluene, toluol, benzene, methylbenzene, phenylmethane.
The nasty: Affects including dizziness, nausea, headaches, hallucinations, transmits the ‘high’ from petrol/glue sniffing. Skin irritations and may impair foetus development during pregnancy.
Advice: Avoid high levels of exposure to toluene, be aware of ventilation when exposed to environments with high levels of toluene, such as nail salons. Avoid products containing toluene that are being directly applied to your body.
13. Sunscreen / UV filters
Purpose: Protection from the sun, absorption of ultraviolet.
Often found in: Sunscreen products.
Labelled as: Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4MBC), homosalate, oxybenzone, benzophenone,Para-aminobenzoic acid(PABA), avobenzone, homosalate and ethoxycinnmate.
The nasty: The body easily absorbs these chemical and studies demonstrate endocrine damaging effects. Sensitive skin has been found to easily react to these additives some believe these chemicals are causing cancer and damage to one’s cells. Eek!
Advice: It might sound silly but be sun smart. Be aware of exposure time, time of day, clothing, location etc. We shouldn’t be afraid of the sun, the vitamin D we receive is crucial for our overall health and it is sad to think so many of us are deficient. When sunscreen is required seek more natural alternatives such as a sunscreen that contains only zinc oxide for sun protection.
As you can see, the industry is quite unregulated and depending where you are in the world has a vast impact on regulations. Stay tuned for deeper research that continues to be released, surrounding the harmful effects that these chemicals can have on our bodies.
In the meantime, expose yourself to as little toxicities as you can and embrace natural alternatives that can positively uplift your body.
What chemicals are you avoiding? What products are you loving? Let’s chat below
Helpful resources:
–EWG Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic database.
–PCPC Personal Care Products Council provides a helpful ingredient dictionary.
–NICNAS Australia’s chemical industry legalities.
