Could Harmful Chemicals Be in Your Skin Care Products?
Do you know what you are putting on your skin?
I have been guilty of running through a store and quickly grabbing a product with a fancy label and promises to fight wrinkles or make your skin glow. But what is in this random product?
What goes on your skin does seep beyond the skin’s surface. Wouldn't it be nice to know that what you are using is not only good for your skin but safe for your whole body?
How could harmful chemicals be allowed in skin care products?
Believe it or not, the skin care industry is highly unregulated. A minuscule approval process with the FDA exists, but only for color additives and ingredients classified as over-the-counter drugs. This means that unhealthy and irritating chemicals could be in the products you are using right now.
What ingredients should I avoid?
I have researched the top 8 chemicals to avoid, and tell you why.
Parabens:
What are parabens?
These are preservatives added to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast. Ultimately, they are used to prolong the shelf-life of a product. Researchers have found that 85%-90% of personal care items (such as toothpaste, shampoos, lotions, and cleansers) contain measurable amounts of parabens.
Why should you avoid parabens?
They have estrogen-mimicking properties that have been linked to endocrine disruption and the growth of breast cancer cells. It was reported in a 2004 research study that parabens were actually found in breast cancer tumors. The big concern is that cumulative exposure to parabens may contribute to developmental disorders, fertility problems, and possibly breast cancer.
What is the FDA’s take on this?
The FDA acknowledges that several studies have linked parabens to breast cancer but has ruled parabens as not harmful. One interesting side note is that the European Union banned parabens in 2012 but then approved use in 2014 in limited amounts in products that rinse off (like shampoos and shower gels).
How do you make sure you're not using parabens?
Look for “paraben free” on the label. Another way is to avoid ingredients that end with the suffix “-paraben.” These are words like: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and isobutylparaben.
Synthetic/Artificial Colors:
How do you know if a color is synthetic?
If you take a look at your product label and notice FD&C or D&C followed by a color and a number, they represent artificial colors.
Why avoid these synthetic colors?
Many of these synthetic colors are derived from coal tar sources. Coal tar is a mixture of many chemicals, derived from petroleum. Coal tar is recognized as a human carcinogen and the main concern with coal tar colors is their potential to cause cancer. Additionally, coal tar can contain traces of heavy metal salts that can cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Synthetic colors are suspected to be a human carcinogen and a skin irritant.
What does the FDA say about this?
FD&C indicates colors approved by the FDA for use in foods, drugs, and cosmetics. D&C colors are not approved for use in food (just drugs and cosmetics). If they are too harmful to eat, do we really want to put these products on our skin?
How do I avoid synthetic colors?
Thankfully, it’s pretty simple to determine if those bright colors we love are real or not. Just check the label, and steer clear if any of the ingredients begin with FD&C or D&C.
Artificial Fragrance:
How do I know if a fragrance is artificial?
Fragrance mixtures can be composed of dozens, even hundreds, of individual chemicals, which don't have to be listed on the label. If you see the word “fragrance” or “parfum” listed on the ingredients list, it is likely that it is artificial.
Why avoid them?
The idea of artificial fragrance is pretty scary, because what does “fragrance” mean anyway? This term was created by the FDA to protect the product’s “secret formula.” But you could be putting on a concoction that contains tons of chemicals that are irritants and hazardous to your health. Somewhere close to 3000 chemicals are used in fragrances. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, and potential effects on the reproductive system.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), fragrance is the number one cause of contact dermatitis in cosmetic products and its prevalence is on the rise.
Additionally, some studies have shown that synthetic musks can build up in our bodies and may enhance the impact of other toxic chemicals. These synthetic musks also contaminate waterways and wildlife. Phthalates, which have been linked to hormone disruption (see Phthalates below), have also been found in synthetic fragrance.
What does the FDA think?
It’s interesting to note that every other ingredient used in personal care products must, as stated by the FDA, be listed on the label, but fragrance is considered a “trade secret” and is not required to be listed.
“FDA does not have the same legal authority to require allergen labeling for cosmetics as for food. So, if you are concerned about fragrance sensitivities, you may want to ... contact the manufacturer directly,” according to the FDA.
How do you avoid artificial fragrance in my products?
The best fragrances are found in essential oils and natural botanicals. If “fragrance” or “parfum” is listed on the label, put it back on the shelf. Or simply look for “fragrance-free” on the label.
Triclosan:
What is Triclosan?
Triclosan was all the rage as antibacterial products started coming out in the 1990s. It is a synthetic preservative and antibacterial agent that can be found in toothpastes, antiperspirants/deodorants, laundry detergent, facial tissues, hand sanitizers, and antibacterial soaps. Triclosan is best known for its germ-killing power. The most likely place you will see it is in hand soaps and body washes that are labeled “anti-bacterial”.
But make sure to check your toothpaste too. The FDA approved it after reviewing data showing that it prevents gum disease.
Why avoid Triclosan?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actually labels it as a pesticide! If that isn't enough to convince you to stop using products with triclosan, know that not all bacteria is bad for you and triclosan works so well as an antibacterial agent that it could give rise to harmful bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. In fact, studies have shown that washing with antibacterial soaps containing triclosan doesn’t provide any benefit over washing with regular soap and water.
And children exposed to these compounds at an early age also have an increased chance of developing allergies, asthma, and eczema.
The European Union classifies triclosan as irritating to the skin and eyes, and as very toxic to aquatic organisms. So not only is triclosan bad for you, it’s terrible for the environment.
What does the FDA think?
Even the FDA agrees that there is “no health benefit to humans” to use triclosan. But if used, triclosan must be listed on the product label.
How do I avoid Triclosan?
If you are using an antibacterial agent, triclosan should be listed as an ingredient on the label.
But put your inner germaphobe at ease and know that water and regular soap will more than handle dirt and germs. Instead of looking for antibacterial products, reach for naturally antibacterial and antiseptic agents like tea tree oil.
Sulfates:
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) / Sodium laureth sulfate (SLE)
Where do I find SLS and SLES and what is it?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) are surfactants that can be found in more than 90 percent of personal care and cleaning products. These sulfates are what make shampoos, shower gels, and facial cleansers have bubbles and foam.
Why avoid SLS and SLES?
Sulfates are known to be skin, lung, and eye irritants. In addition, sulfates can dry out your hair and skin, resulting in split-ends, brittle hair, and maybe even itching. Despite a lot of internet chat about these surfactants being carcinogenic, there is not much concrete evidence to support this.
The only other factor to know is that these sulfates do not degrade easily, so are pollutants and are not the best for the environment.
What does the FDA think?
Not much. Just that the sulfates must be listed on the product label.
How do I avoid SLS and SLES?
Look for “no sulfates” on the product or check the ingredients list for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS). Sulfates are especially common in shampoos.
Formaldehyde:
Where do I find formaldehyde and what is it?
If you have ever dissected a frog in biology class, you know that formaldehyde smells terrible and is used as a preservative. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs) are used in some skin care products to help prevent bacteria growth. These can be found in nail polish, body washes, conditioners, shampoos, facial cleansers, and some eye shadows. According to data from the FDA, nearly 1 in 5 cosmetic products contains a substance that generates formaldehyde.
Why is formaldehyde something to avoid?
The FDA and EPA have classified formaldehyde as carcinogenic when its fumes are inhaled. It is also a potent skin sensitizer and allergen that can result in red irritated skin.
Of course, skin care companies don’t dump pure formaldehyde into their products. Instead, they commonly use something called “formaldehyde releasers.” These chemicals decompose over time to form formaldehyde. This process happens slowly as the products sit on the shelf of the store or your bathroom countertop.
What does the FDA think?
The FDA does not restrict the amount of formaldehyde that can be present in cosmetics sold in the U.S. But any formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasers must be printed on the label.
How do I avoid formaldehyde?
Check the label carefully, both for the ingredient formaldehyde itself and for these common formaldehyde releasers:
DMDM hydantoin
Imidazolidinyl urea
Diazolidinyl urea
Quaternium-15
Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol )
5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
Hydroxymethylglycinate
Phthalates
What is a phthalate?
Phthalates are industrial “plasticizers” that are used in skin care products to dissolve and coalesce ingredients, and to impart flexibility to nail polish after it dries. The main phthalates in personal care products are dibutyl phthalate in nail polish, diethyl phthalate in perfumes and lotions, and dimethyl phthalate in hair spray.
Why should I avoid phthalates?
Phthalates are not inert substances: They have biological activity. In animal studies, both phthalates and parabens were found to act on estrogen pathways, which in humans have been associated with chronic diseases, cancers, and a host of developmental disorders and fertility problems. It has been stated by experts who have reviewed the literature that phthalates pose significant potential health concerns to humans.
What does the FDA have to say?
The FDA feels that phthalates do not pose known risks for human health as it is currently used in cosmetics and fragrances.
But they do admit that “It's not clear what effect, if any, phthalates have on human health.”
What the CDC has to say: “Human health effects from exposure to low levels of phthalates are unknown. Some types of phthalates have affected the reproductive system of laboratory animals. More research is needed to assess the human health effects of exposure to phthalates.”
How do I avoid phthalates?
Phthalates are required to be listed on the product label ... unless they are one of the ingredients in a fragrance. Ingredients used in fragrances are considered “trade secrets” by the FDA and are exempt from labelling requirements. Industry sources have indicated that phthalates do not appear on the vast majority of products containing them because they are components of fragrance. This gives consumers little power to avoid phthalates in their purchases of personal care products.
If a product’s label says phthalate-free, that provides clarity. Otherwise, there’s no way to be sure. Bummer.
DEA (Diethanolamine) and DEA-related ingredients:
TEA (Triethanolamine) and MEA (Monoethanolamine) are DEA-Related Compounds
What exactly is DEA and related ingredients??
DEA (diethanolamine) and DEA compounds are used to make skin care products creamy or sudsy. DEA also acts as a pH adjuster, counteracting the acidity of other ingredients. DEA is found in all kinds of moisturizers, sunscreens, soaps, cleansers, and shampoos.
Why avoid DEA in your skin care products?
These substances are pretty harsh solvents and detergents and can cause allergic reactions and irritate your skin. But even worse, they have been found in lab studies (mostly done on animals) to cause certain types of cancers and organ toxicity.
What does the FDA think about DEA (Diethanolamine) and related ingredients?
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) completed a study in 1998 that found an association between the topical application of DEA and certain DEA-related ingredients and cancer in laboratory animals. But because the NTP study did not establish a link between DEA and the risk of cancer in humans, the FDA believes that at the present time there is no reason for consumers to be alarmed based on the use of these substances in cosmetics.
How do I avoid DEA and DEA-like compounds?
Steer clear of any products with any ingredients containing the letters: DEA, MEA, or TEA.