Chemicals To Avoid In Skin Care Products

Unfortunately, the majority of skin care products on the market today are causing more harm to our bodies than good; for this reason it is important to read the ingredients on the skin care products that you purchase. Please watch the videos that I've posted on the right side as they provide adequate information on this topic.

Today, I will talk about the dangers of chemicals found in our everyday beauty products.

1) Phthate family or di-n-butyl phthate (dbp) and di (2-ehtylhexl) phthalate (dehp):
Found in: Nail polish, hair straighteners and sprays, body lotions and deodorants.
Side effects: Cancer causing (carcinogens), they cause birth defects, lowered sperm counts, damage to reproductive organs, cancer of the liver, lung and kidney. They also disrupt our endocrine (hormone) system.

2) Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES):
Found in: Toothpaste, shampoo, bath salts, body and shower gels.
Side effects:It is cancer causing and has been linked to kidney and liver damage, nervous system disruption, damage to the eyes (cataracts), eczema and dermatitis.

3) Paraben preservatives or alkyl-p- hydroxybenzoates (methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl):
Found in: Conditioners, hair styling gels, nail creams, foundations, concealers, mascara, facial masks, skin creams, deordorants, sunscreen and hair colouring.
Side effects: Rashes, disrupts the hormones and has been linked to breast cancer. It is estrogenic, meaning that it mimics estrogen which leads to cancer.

4) Formaldehyde family or diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, nitropropane-1, formalin, methanal, methyl aldehyde, methylene oxide, morbicid acid, oxymethylene:
Found in: Shampoo and conditioners, shower gels, liquid antiseptic hand wash, bubble baths, hair care products, nail polish, mascara, skin lotions, deordorants, talcs, mouthwash, makeup remover.
Side effects: Carcinogen, allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, headaches, irritates mucous membranes, damages the eyes, joint and chest pain, depression, fatigue, dizziness and immune dysfunction.

5) Amine family diethanolamineily (DEA), trierhanolamine (TEA), amonoethanolamine (MEA):
Found in: Shampoos, soaps, hairsprays, sunscreens, foundations, concealers, eyeliner, talc, face powders, shaving creams, hair coulouring products, hair sprays.
Side effects: Kidney and liver cancer, hormone disrupter, skin and hair irritant, corosive to the eyes, contact dermatitis, carcinogen.

6) Propylene/ Butylene glycol (PG):
Found in: Deodorants, body lotions, body washes, hair conditioners, hair gel, creams, hand wipes, lipsticks.
Side effects: Linked to possible brain, liver and kidney abnormalties, respiratory and throat irritation, depression, pulmonary oedema, brain damage, hypoglycemia, skin rashes, dermatitis, weakens protein and cellular structure.

Here is a list of chemicals that you should avoid.
(Unless specified as vegetable or plant derived in the ingredients)

Diethanolamine (DEA)
FD&C color pigments
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Petrochemicals
Fragrance
Parabens
Polyethylene glycol (PG)
Mineral Oil/ Petroleum/ Paraffin
Sodiu Lauryl or Laureth Sulfate (SLS)
Peg 100 Stearate (Polyethylene Glycol)
Glycol Glycerin crosspolymer
Glyceryl Stearate
Sorbitan Oleate
Stearic Acid
Carbomer
Myristyl Alcohol
Triethanolamine
Methylparaben/ Pabaparaben

I really hope that you find this information useful. As I often tell people, your skin is your largest organ and what you put on it is very important. It is best to purchase *certified organic* skin care products. However, you still have to read the ingredients because some natural products contain adequate amounts of these chemicals.

Keep in mind that it's really up to us the consumers... to look out for ourselves.

Peace and Love,

Monique 'Mut Sia' Jackson