Skin Care should be Safe, Gentle, and Effective.
Of course it should be, right? Why state the obvious? But how much attention do we really pay to the ingredients list on the side of the bottle, and do we really know what to look out for? These are all issues that need to be answered when we decide on a holistic skin care solution for the family.
When you look for skin care for you, your baby, and your family, you should look out for the following ingredients and try to avoid any products that contain them.
The ingredients to avoid...
METHYL, PROPYL, BUTYL, AND ETHYL PARABEN
These are the most common preservatives used in skin/hair care today. They are designed to inhibit microbial growth, which extends the shelf life of products for up to 3 years (imagine your Facial Cream sitting on a shelf for 2 ˝ years before you got it – no thanks). Parabens are widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Parabens have been known to cause many allergic reactions and skin rashes and are commonly used as a group to preserve.
IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA AND DIAZOLIDINYL UREA
The most commonly used preservatives after the parabens. Derived from ANIMAL urine, they are well established as a primary cause of contact dermatitis (American Academy of Dermatology).
ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL
This is a solvent and denaturant (poisonous substance that changes another substances natural qualities). Isopropyl alcohol is found in hair colour rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics. This petroleum-derived substance is also used in antifreeze and as a solvent. It is very drying and damaging to hair and skin, according to ‘A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients’, inhalation or ingestion of the vapour may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis and even coma.
MINERAL OIL & PETROLATUM
The best baby oil is made from vegetable oils; however there are still companies that are selling baby oil that is 100% mineral oil. Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. Petrolatum - A petroleum-based jelly that is used industrially as a grease component. It is commonly contaminated with PAHs, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Petrolatum exhibits many of the same potentially harmful properties as mineral oil and is found in 40 percent of all baby lotion and oils (products assessed by EWG).
PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG)
Propylene Glycol is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpaste. The Material Safety Data Sheets warn against skin contact, as PG has systemic consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities.
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG)
Polyethylene glycol is used in making facial cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. Because of their effectiveness, PEG's are often used in caustic spray in oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products. PEG's contribute to stripping the skin while also leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are potentially carcinogenic.
PVP/VA COPOLYMER
A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, wave sets and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles may be inhaled and contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons.
SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS) & SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES)
These are the ones most people are familiar with, they are a synthetic substance commonly used in shampoos, body washes and bubble baths for their foaming capabilities. They cause eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp irritations (often mistaken for dandruff) and allergic reactions. It is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the parenthetic explanation "comes from coconut". SLS is a detergent that is used in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and is extremely disruptive to the mucous membrane. Research indicates that exposure to SLS can result in eye damage, depression, laboured breathing, diarrhoea, severe skin irritation, and in some cases even death. Eyes may not develop properly if exposed to SLS. SLS can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens. They accumulate in the body and maintain residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs, and brain.
DEA (DIETHANOLAMINE) MEA (MOMOETHNANOLAMINE) TEA (TRIETHANOLAMINE)
DEA and MEA are usually listed on the ingredients label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. For example; look for names like Cocamide DEA, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. They cause allergic reactions, eye irritation, dryness of skin and scalp/hair. They accumulate in the body over time.
STEARALKONIUM CHLORIDE
A chemical used in hair conditioners and creams, which causes allergic reactions because it is highly toxic. Stearalkonium chloride was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, and is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which do help hair health.
SYNTHETIC COLOURS
The synthetic colours are used to enhance aesthetic properties of the product and make it more appealing to the senses, synthetic colours should be avoided. They will be labelled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a colour and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6. Synthetic colours are believed to be cancer-causing agents. FD&C Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue #1 are synthetic colours from coal tar that deposits toxins onto the skin, causing skin irritation. Absorption can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and death.
SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES
The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 200 different ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on the label it will simply say "Fragrance". Some of the problems caused by these chemicals are headaches, dizziness, rash, hyper-pigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation, and the list goes on. Why would companies use Synthetic fragrances when there are so many wonderful natural scents available straight from nature. Avoid ALL products that have the word fragrance on the ingredients list.
SACCHAROMYCES MAGNESIUM FERMENT
An acid from a yeast which causes damage to the insulin producing beta cells and pancreatic cancer.
BUTYLENE GLYCOL
An acid that may be narcotic and cause asphyxiation.
AQUA BIOMIN SACCHAROMYCES/MAGNESIUM FERMENT
This is a yeast and an acid that causes diabetes and other topical yeast infections that can lead to a host of serious symptoms.
DMDM HYDANTOIN
Releases a powerful acid and neuro toxin formaldehyde which causes joint pain, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep. Exposure also irritates the respiratory system; triggers heart palpitations or asthma, and can aggravate coughs. Has been linked to a weakened immune system and cancer.
COCOMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE
This has added chemicals in the processing of the coconut oil which are carcinogenic.
TEA LAURYL SULFATE
This is a hormone disrupting chemical that can form cancer-causing nitrates. This ingredient is restricted in Europe due to the carcinogenic effects. Repeated applications can result in liver and kidney cancer.
LACTIC ACID
This is a cancer causing agent. An acid found around all cancerous tumours.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is a free radical and can cause dryness and flaking of the skin. Also very drying and are known to cause allergic reactions and skin irritation. Naturally occurring alcohol is different (ie: sugar cane alcohol is non-irritating and non-sensitising)
HYDROQUINONE
This ingredient is commonly used in skin whitening products. It is also commonly used in plastics manufacturing and is a highly toxic chemical. This ingredient should not be used on humans or animals. Hydroquinone is a well known carcinogen and is known as a liver, blood, lung and respiratory, reproductive organ and skin toxicant.
ETHYL ACETATE
This is a highly toxic chemical and is used in cosmetics. This is also used in paint remover products, including nail polish remover. Do not put this ingredient on your body, especially your face.
Would you like to find out more about:
The ingredients we use
Who are Essentia Organics
Go ahead and purchase
Bumble Bees Organic Baby Skin Care
Amboni Organics Mother Care
Amboni Organics Family Care
