Have a look at the back of the bottles and you’ll see a bunch of names that I have trouble pronouncing. These products are known to contain toxins and cause: allergic reactions, rashes, irritation and some of these are known to cause cancer.
In this article I’ll expose 8 of these toxic ingredients to look out for:
Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben – These chemicals are used to extend the shelf life of products and inhibit microbial growth. These are known toxins and studies show that they can be absorbed through the skin.
Diazolidinyl Urea and Imidazolidinyl Urea (urea is from urine) – These are used as preservatives. The American Academy of Dermatology has found them to be a primary causeof dermatitis. These chemicals release formaldehyde (what they use to preserve dead bodies), and is highly toxic.
Propylene Glycol – This has been used for a long time and used to be a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol which is natural. Today it is usually a synthetic petrochemical mix. It is known to cause allergic reactions, hives and eczema. If you see PEG (poly-ethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol) on the labels, watch out as these are related synthetics.
Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) – These are often used as emulsifiers or foaming agents. They can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation and dry skin. DEA and TEA are ammonia compounds and can form cancer causing nitrosamines. They are toxic when absorbed into the body with continued use.
Petrolatum (petroleum jelly) – This mineral oil is used for its moistening properties. It has absolutely no nutrient value for the skin and interferes with the body’s natural moisturizing process leading to dryness and chapping. It gives you a quick boost where your skin feels softer and then shortly after starts to dry out your skin. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it’s very cheap to buy.
Stearalkonium Chloride – This is an ammonium compound used in skin creams. It was developed softener and is cheaper to use than beneficial proteins. This product is toxic and causes allergic reactions.
Synthetic Colors – You see on the bottle where it says example: FD&C Red No. 6. These colors are used to make products look good and are known to be carcinogenic. Make sure you avoid using products containing these colors (and food).
Synthetic Fragrances – On many labels you will see the word fragrance. These “fragrances” are chemicals and can contain up to 200 ingredients. Some problems caused by these chemicals are: headaches, dizziness, rashes, violent coughing, skin irritation, vomiting, hyper-pigmentation and more.
I know it can be shocking to find out that even products for babies contain these harmful ingredients. The truth is that these companies producing these products just want to make money and spend more money on commercials to advertise than on spending a bit more to create a quality product. If you look at the ingredients in many products labeled as “organic” you will find these same ingredients.
Conclusion Luckily, there are some great companies out there that are making fantastic natural products. Once you make the switch you will immediately feel the difference. Your skin will feel soft, nourished, and you may even start to glow!
