Toxic ingredients!
Have you decided to eliminate all products containing toxic substances from your life? Arm yourself with patience and a magnifying glass, as ingredient lists are often written in very small print, and most products contain a lot of ingredients. A tip : read the first two lines and the last two lines of the list. This is often where sulfates, parabens, and fragrance are found.
Here are the ingredients TO AVOID in our beauty products:
BHA and BHT , used as preservatives in lipsticks and lotions or moisturizers, as well as in many other cosmetics. They are suspected of interfering with hormonal functions and being carcinogenic.
Coal tar dyes ( p-phenylenediamine " PPD " and dyes identified by " CI " followed by five numbers) used in some hair dyes and many cosmetic products may be carcinogenic and contain heavy metals that are toxic to the brain. Caution : Some dyes are harmless, such as CI 77820. To differentiate them, visit this site for the INCI search.
DEA -related ingredients ( cocamide DEA, lauramide DEA , and anything containing the word " DEA ") used in creamy and foaming cosmetics, such as moisturizers and shampoos, can react with other substances to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.
Dibutyl phthalate (also known as dbp or ester ) is used as a plasticizer in nail products. It is considered a reproductive toxicant and suspected of interfering with hormonal function.
Formaldehyde and toluene ( dmdm hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol and quarternium-15 ) are used in nail polishes, nail strengtheners, soaps, shampoos and hair growth preparations. They slowly and continuously release small amounts of formaldehyde, a carcinogen.
Parabens ( methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben , and all other ingredients ending in " paraben ") are used as preservatives in almost everything. They are considered endocrine disruptors and may interfere with male reproductive functions.
The fragrance used to give a scent to makeup products, face creams, shampoos, etc. The recipe for the fragrances used in the products is considered secret , so it is impossible to know what they contain . Some ingredients used can trigger allergies and asthma and are associated with cancer and neuron poisoning.
PEGs and PPGs (any ingredients that begin with PEG or PPG , such as PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil ) used as emulsifiers, gel bases, binders, or emollients can make the skin permeable and allow harmful substances to pass through. They may also contain 1,4-dioxane , which is a potential carcinogen (e.g., PEG-60 ).
Petrolatum (Like petrolatum , mineral oil, and petroleum distillates are petroleum derivatives) is used in some hair products for shine and as a moisture barrier in lip balms, lipsticks, and moisturizers. It is a petrochemical that may contain carcinogenic impurities.
Siloxanes (ingredients ending in " siloxane " or " cone ," such as cyclotetrasiloxane and cyclomethicone) are used in cosmetic products to soften, smooth, and moisturize. Cyclotetrasiloxane is considered an endocrine disruptor and a potential reproductive toxin.
Sodium laureth sulfate (and most ingredients ending in " eth ," such as steareth-10, ceteareth, and choleth-20) is used in foaming products such as shampoos, cleansers, and bath products. It may contain 1,4-dioxane , a potential carcinogen.
Triclosan is used in antibacterial products such as toothpaste, soap, and hand sanitizers. It is suspected of interfering with hormone function and contributing to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
EDTA (the letters " edta " are usually combined with another word, such as tetrasodium edta and trisodium edta ) is used in soaps and other cleaning products. It is a substance that can settle in the body and is difficult to degrade, which can therefore contaminate drinking water. Not enough is known about its effects on the human body.
Have you spotted an ingredient and don't know what to think? Check out The Truth About Cosmetics , developed by Rita Stiens, the author of the book of the same name. In the " INCI Search " tab, simply enter the first three letters of the ingredient you're looking for to find out whether it's harmful or not.
On that note, I wish you a good decryption!
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