The skin is your body’s largest organ. Every day, it keeps you safe, but are you also keeping it safe?
Our bodies absorb what we put on them directly into our cells, which can have an impact on our health. Occasionally, not right away, but over time, a buildup of harmful substances might result in permanent harm. Frequently we devote a lot of time to think about our face and hair care. What about your shower routine? What do you use each day? If your bath or shower gel contains any of the following substances, check the ingredient list. If they do, it might be time to look at another option and you can see some here.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate aka SLES
This is a surfactant that is used as a foaming agent. It is a common misconception that foaming equals clean. This substance is a skin irritant and allows other chemicals to penetrate skin more deeply and enter bloodstream. This is not a good thing as it goes through the ethoxylation process which has a possibility to produce 1,4-Dioxane. 1,4-Dioxane is categorized as possibly carcinogenic to humans. This is possibly carcinogenic to humans and a hormone disrupter that is linked to breast cancer.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate aka SLS
This is similar to Sodium Laureth Sulfate, but often with worse effects as it takes the body longer to break down the residue. It is a skin irritant and can cause dry skin, itchy skin (especially the winter months), as well as canker sores and eczema in more sensitive skin. This can permanently damage eye tissue if it were to get into your eyes. Researchers used the product to CAUSE the formation of cataracts, to then study the repair of the cataracts with healing agents. This substance can be absorbed into the body upon application and mimic Oestrogen so it is considered a hormone disrupter. It may result in the formation of potentially carcinogenic nitrates and dioxins.
Ethoxylated Ingredients (prefixes PEG- and poly-, suffixes -eth and -oxynol)
Ethoxylation is a chemical process using ethylene oxide (EtO) to turn alcohol, acid, or triglyceride oil into a surfactant. This makes products interact better with each other and make them more effective cleaners. The biggest problem with these ingredients is their process of ethoxylation because it produces traces of 1,4-dioxane, ethylene oxide, both known carcinogens. It also produces polyethylene glycol compounds (PEGs).
California Proposition 65 lists ethylene oxide as a known developmental toxicant, and it also lists 1,4-dioxane as a cancer-causing ingredient. 1,4 Dioxane has been shown to be harmful to a developing fetus, as well as increased incidences in nasal cavity, gall bladder, and liver tumors after exposure in animal studies.
The prefixes and suffixes above will help to identify ethoxylated ingredients but here is a list of others found in common household, beauty, and self-care products:
- Acrylates/Steareth-20 Itaconate Copolymer
- Ammonium Capryleth Sulfate
- Ammonium Pareth-25 Sulfate
- Ammonium Myreth Sulfate
- Ceteareth -20
- Cocamidopropyl Betaines
- Disteareth-75 IPDI, -100 IPDI
- Emulsifying Wax NF
- Isosteareth-20
- Steareth – 2, -4, 10, 16, -20, 21
- Isosteareth -2, -10, -20
- Magnesium Laureth Sulfate
- Magnesium Oleth Sulfate
- PEG’s – ingredients listed as a polyethylene glycol or with a PEG- prefix such as PEG-20, PEG-40
- Phenoxyethanol
- Polyoxyethylene
- Polysorbate-20, -40, -60, -80
- Steareth-2, -4, -10, -16, -20, -21
- Sodium Coceth Sulfate
- Sodium Deceth Sulfate
- Sodium Oleth Sulfate
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Trideceth Sulfate
- Zinc Coceth Sulfate
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol is an ingredient in antifreeze. Because of its abilities as a solvent, antibacterial, preservative, and moisture regulator, propylene glycol is utilized in cosmetics. Research on this substance has shown mixed results; some studies claim it is harmless, while others claim it is irritating to the skin and eyes and, when inhaled, can result in headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, and even unconsciousness.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
The “Allergen of the Year” for 2004 according to the American Contact Dermatitis Society was Cocamidopropyl Betaine. Those who are sensitive to this chemical get contact dermatitis, a condition marked by itching, redness, and tightness of the skin. Blisters and sores have also been reported as severe responses.
This product has a few names including, but not limited to:
- CADG
- cocamidopropyl dimethyl glycine
- disodium cocoamphodipropionate
- 1-propanaminium
- hydroxide inner salt
Triclosan
Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent. This substance is restricted in cosmetics in Canada and Japan and of very high concern in the European Union’s REACH program. According to a research indicating that prenatal exposure to this chemical boosts testosterone levels in human newborns as well as several animal studies demonstrating triclosan’s antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic effects, this compound is classified as an endocrine disruptor. Moreover, triclosan may cause cancer. When it is combined with chlorine in tap water it can form chloroform which is a possible carcinogen.
This material can result in dermatitis or skin irritation when absorbed via the skin. It is linked to the developement of allergies in children.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. It is known to have a link to leukemia, as well as initiating tumor formation.
Formaldehyde releasers can be formed one of two ways: either directly from formaldehyde, or a chemical that breaks down over time that produces formaldehyde. Formaldehyde releasers can cause formaldehyde allergies and may cause immunotoxicity. They are also restricted in cosmetics in Japan due to the exposure having the potential to lead to formaldehyde allergy. Any way you think about it; we don’t want any of these in our products:
- Formaldehyde
- Diazolidinyl Urea
- Imidazolidinyl Urea
- Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
- Benzylhemiformal
- 2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
- 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane
- Quaternium-15
- DMDM Hydantoin
- Methenamine
Ethanolamines
- monoethanolamine (MEA)
- diethanolamine (DEA)
- triethanolamine (TEA)
Ethanolamines are used as wetting agents in cosmetics. DEA, specifically, is used to provide lather. Diethanolamine is a chemical that’s regarded as toxic enough in the European Union to be banned from personal products and cosmetics. Diethanolamine or DEA has been linked to the following health issues:
- Hormone disruption
- Cancer
- Liver tumors
- Accumulation in the liver & kidney causing organ toxicity
TEA and DEA have been associated with cancer in the liver in female mice
The main concern with ethanolamines is their interaction with other chemicals, creating an extremely potent carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), which is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked to the development of stomach, esophagus, liver, and bladder cancers.
Phthalates
Phthalates are chemicals used as gelling agents in shampoos, helping the fragrance last longer, and increases the spreadability of the other chemicals within the product.
Phthalates are able to enter the body both through skin absorption and inhalation. According to research, these chemicals stay inside the body and slowly accumulate within our fatty tissues instead of causing immediate symptoms, tending to lead to long-term serious health conditions after prolonged use.
Several studies have proven the effects phthalates have on the reproductive system, causing hormone disruption, low sperm count, sperm DNA damage, and even infertility in some cases. Exposure to phthalates in pregnant women may also increase the risk of gestational diabetes and miscarriage.
In the case of exposure to infants and children, phthalates can cause asthma, allergies, eczema, lowered IQ, ADHD, premature puberty, and male genital deformities.
The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, named some phthalates including DEHP, Di(2-Ethlhexyl) phthalates, a probable carcinogen.
Synthetic Fragrances, Perfume, and Dyes
The term fragrance refers to anything that is added to a product to alter its smell, and there can be dozens of such substances on a single product label. As you would imagine, unless you’re shopping in a store that only sells natural products (and even sometimes in that case), most fragrances you encounter will be made from synthetic chemicals.
Fragrance is a blanket term that allows companies to hide thousands of ingredients under this one ingredient, allowing them to conceal their “trade secret”. Unfortunately, many of the ingredients that are under this one term are the cause for allergic reactions including skin irritations, migraines, sinus issues, and respiratory problems.
Dyes are no better. In fact, some synthetic dyes are derived from coal and petroleum sources, suspected to be skin irritants, linked to ADHD in children, and possibly even carcinogenic (cancer causing).
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATs and QACs)
QUATs are commonly added to household products for their disinfecting properties but they can also be used as a surfactant. QUATs can disrupt key cellular processes and have been linked to a broad range of health issues including reproductive and development problems in animals. In one laboratory where studies were completed on mice, the staff switched from a chlorine-based disinfectant to QUATs, which resulted in fertility issues and neural tube defects in the mice. It has also been found that QUATs are resilient on surfaces, and it takes months to get rid of the residue. So, it is crucial not to use them on food preparation surfaces. They are related to a broad range of health issues that include skin and eye irritations, as well as respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies. Children are particularly at risk of developing complications. These chemical exposures have been linked to 5% of childhood cancer and 30% of childhood asthma.
Watch for ingredients that end in “ammonium chloride”, some examples are listed below:
- Alkyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride
- Didecyldimethylammonium chloride
- Dioctyldimethylammonium chloride
- Benzalkonium chloride
- Benzethonium chloride
- Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride
- Behentrimonium chloride
- Cetrimonium chloride
- Stearalkonium chloride
- Methylbenzethonium chloride
- Cetylpyridinium chloride
- Quaternium-15
- Polyquaternium-7
Products that are labeled as “antimicrobial” or “antibacterial” most likely contain QUATs.
Parabens
Another ingredient to avoid is parabens. Parabens are a type of preservative that is commonly used in personal care products to extend their shelf life. Some of the possible parabens include methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. Parabens have been linked to health problems like breast cancer and hormonal imbalances. Studies have also found that parabens can mimic estrogen in the body, which can lead to a variety of health problems.
Some of the possible parabens that may be found include:
- Methylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Benzylparaben
It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of parabens that may be found in personal care products, and there may be others as well. Be sure to check the ingredient list for any of the above names or for the word “paraben” in general.
Oofta, tired yet?
Indeed, I am.
In fact, it might be overwhelming and even a little discouraging to go through this list. Really, that is why I’m here telling you this because I completely understand. I want you to have confidence in the safety of whatever you use on your body. By offering these posts about what’s in our products I hope I am giving you a sense of empowerment. I encourage you to visit this page when you are ready to move to something better. I will provide you with a list of products here of all the things that I feel confident using on both my children and myself.
Keep reading and learning! Everyone begins somewhere…
And when I say that I’m still learning, believe me because it seems never ending!
