Technically there are a lot more than 12 chemicals you should aim to avoid but if you’re new to green living or just need a good place to focus, choosing 12 baddies is a smart way to start being more green with your personal care products.
Lots of toxic goodies!
Skin Deep notes that eight excellent toxic baddies in cosmetics and personal care items to avoid include:
- DMDM hydantoin and Imidazolidinyl urea – linked to allergies, toxic contaminants and more
- Fragrance and dyes – Skin Deep notes that allergies, cancer, and nervous system issues can arise with use of these, but my major problem is that the terms are so vague. If a company just writes, “Fragrance” on a bottle it could mean anything. Not cool.
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone – allergies, problems with nervous system.
- Parabens or “-paraben” – all of the paraben family has been shown to mimic female hormones, and linked to endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), possibly cancer, and more
- “PEG” and “-eth” – cancer, organ system toxicity, and more.
- Sodium lauryl or laureth – Developmental/reproductive toxicity, cancer, and yup, more.
- Triclosan and triclocarban – lots o’ issues.
- Triethanolamine (TEA)
The ingredients above may be found in items like shampoo; conditioner; moisturizer; exfoliating scrubs; body wash/cleanser; styling gel/lotion; facial moisturizer/treatment; lip gloss; facial cleanser; anti-aging products; liquid hand soap; hair coloring products; bubble bath; shaving cream; mascara and oh so much more.
Don’t worry, if you can’t remember all these chemical names off the top of your head, Skin Deep offers a shopping guide (pdf) you can download for free then take along in your wallet.
Four more icky ingredients to avoid include…
- Talc – seems harmless enough but is a proven carcinogen (even the cosmetic grade talc). It’s been linked to ovarian cancer, possibly tumors in the lungs, and has caused tumors in research animals.
- BHA
- Formaldehyde
- Petrolatum – comes from nonrenewable crude oil – do you really want that on your body?
Sigh. The cosmetic and beauty care companies really don’t care about your health. Of that I can assure you. To see what I mean take the “How do your baby products stack up challenge“ – it’ll work for adult products too.
Learn more about safe products and habits:
- Eco-friendly makeup brushes & accessories
- Color your hair green!
- How To Choose Greener Body Products
- Less expensive organic beauty products
[image via stock.xchng]
Post from: Blisstree