Cosmetics and personal care product labels give consumers no
information about the toxicity of chemical ingredients. If the manufacturers were regulated by U.S. consumer protection
agencies, which they are not, the label warnings would probably convince most
people to think twice before making a purchase. There is also no restriction on
the use of words, such as “natural,” “earth friendly,” “pure,” or even
“chemical free.” Actually, there is no
conventional beauty product that is chemical free!
Even “organic” needs some clarification. You can use an organic label if all (100%) of
the ingredients are certified organic, but you can also say “made with organic
ingredients” if the product contains a minimum of 70 percent organic
ingredients.
We recommend choosing products that give full disclosure of
certified organic or food-grade ingredients.
For a list of manufacturers who make truly safe personal care and
cosmetic products, visit www.grassrootsinfo.org and click on “Common
Exposures.”
1. Parabens
(methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben): Used in shampoos,
conditioners, lotions, facial and shower cleansers, and scrubs to prevent
bacteria growth. Parabens are linked to endocrine disruption, cancer, and are
developmental and reproductive toxins.
2. Formaldehyde:
Used in nail polish, nail glue, eyelash glue, hair gel, hair-smoothing
products, baby shampoo, body soap, body wash, and color cosmetics as a
preservative. Formaldehyde has been identified as a known human carcinogen by
many expert and government bodies, including the International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC) and the United States National Toxicology Program.
3. Coal
Tar: Used in shampoos, soaps, hair dyes, and lotions as colorants. Coal tar has
been linked to skin tumors, as well as lung, bladder, kidney, and digestive
tract cancer. It may also cause neurological damage.
4. Triclosan:
Used in antibacterial soaps and detergents, toothpaste and tooth whitening
products, antiperspirants/deodorants, shaving products, creams, and color
cosmetics as an antibacterial. Triclosan may be harmful to a developing fetus
and act as an endocrine disruptor, with a documented effect on the thyroid
gland in particular. Moreover, studies have proven that antibacterial products,
in which triclosan is often utilized, are no more effective than the
application of soap and water.
5. Ethanolamine
Compounds (MEA, DEA, TEA, etc.): Used in soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners and
dyes, lotions, shaving creams, paraffin and waxes, eyeliners, mascara, eye
shadows, blush, make-up bases, foundations, fragrances, and sunscreens as
emulsifiers and foaming agents. Ethanolamine compounds are linked to cancer and
organ system toxicity.
6. Synthetic
Fragrances: An almost universal component in personal care products,
chemical-based fragrances are found in sunscreen, shampoo, soap, body wash,
deodorant, body lotion, makeup, facial cream, skin toner, serums, exfoliating
scrubs, and artificial scents. Thought
not required to list their chemical compounds under a “trade secret” loophole,
studies of chemicals in fragrances show links to cancer, endocrine disruption,
reproductive toxicity, allergies, asthma and skin sensitivities.
7. Phthalates:
Used in color cosmetics, fragranced lotions, body washes and hair care
products, nail polish, and nail treatments to help the product cling to the
skin (or to increase longevity). Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, as well
as reproductive toxicants. The National Toxicology Program and the U.S. EPA
also report that certain phthalates are likely to be classified as human
carcinogens.
8. Chemical
Sunscreens: (with Retinyl Palmitate, Oxybenzone, and Octyl Methoxycinnamate that
may or may not be combined with mineral sunscreens), absorb ultraviolet light
and are also absorbed by your skin. Potential health impacts include endocrine
disruption and reproductive system toxicity.
9. Talc:
Used in baby powder, body and shower products, lotions, feminine hygiene
products, eyeshadow, foundation, lipstick, deodorants, and face masks as an
abrasive, an absorbent, an anti-caking or bulking agent. Talc can cause
respiratory irritation if inhaled. Perennial use of talc has also been
classified as possibly carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC).
10. Sodium
Laureth Sulfate: Used in foaming cosmetics, such as shampoo, cleanser and
bubble bath as a surfactant, detergent, and emulsifier. Sodium Laureth Sulfate
may cause organ system toxicity, as well as skin, eye, and lung irritation.
11. 1,4-Dioxane:
Found in foaming personal care products, such as shampoo, baby shampoos and
body washes, liquid soap, bubble bath, and hair relaxers, 1,4-Dioxane is a
byproduct of certain cosmetic ingredients, including detergents, foaming
agents, emulsifiers, and solvents. It is considered a probable human carcinogen
by the U.S. EPA.
12. Benzophenone
& related compounds: Used in lip balm, nail polish, foundations, baby
sunscreens, fragrance, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, moisturizers, and
foundation as a fragrance enhancer and as an ultraviolet light absorber and
stabilizer. California EPA’s Proposition 65 list identifies benzophenone as a
possible human carcinogen. Benzophenone may also lead to endocrine disruption,
developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, and irritation.
13. BHA and
BHT: Used in lip products, hair products, makeup, sunscreen,
antiperspirant/deodorant, fragrance and creams as a preservative. BHA has been
classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC), in addition to being linked to endocrine disruption.
Exposure to BHT has been linked to liver, thyroid, and kidney problems in mice
and rats.
14. Hydroquinone:
Used in skin lighteners, facial and skin cleansers, facial moisturizers, hair
conditioners, and nail glue. Banned in the EU, hydroquinone is linked to cancer
and organ-system toxicity.
15. Lead and
other heavy metals: Used in lip products, whitening toothpaste, eyeliner, nail
color, foundations, sunscreens, eye shadows, blush, concealer, moisturizers,
and eye drops. Exposure to metals could lead to reproductive, immune and
nervous system toxicity.
16. Paraphenylenediamine
(PPD): Used in hair dyes to achieve a particular color of dye and to bind that
color to the hair permanently. PPD has been linked to skin sensitization,
cancer, mutagenicity, and organ system toxicity.
17. Petrolatum:
Used in hair products, lip balm, lipstick, and skin care products as a barrier
to lock in moisture and to make hair shine in hair care products. It has been
associated with cancer, skin irritation, and allergies.
18. Polyethylene
Glycol (PEG): Used in conditioners, moisturizers, and deodorants as thickeners,
solvents, softeners and moisture-carriers. PEG may be contaminated with
compounds that are possibly carcinogenic to humans and may cause organ system
toxicity.
19. Siloxanes:
used in moisturizer, makeup, and hair products to soften, smooth, and moisten.
Siloxanes are possible endocrine disruptors and reproductive toxicants.
20. Toluene:
Used in nail polish, nail treatment, and hair dyes as a solvent to dissolve
other substances, such as resins and plasticizers. Toluene has been linked to
developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, and irritation.
