Toxins in Skin Care Products & Beauty Products
The skin is the largest organ in our bodies. Because of that, it should be treated the same way we treat our internal organs. Taking care to ensure we aren’t exposing ourselves to any unnecessary toxins is an important part of overall health.
The skin is able to absorb any chemical we put onto it and it goes into the blood stream and then our liver tries to grab all these toxins and hold onto them so they don’t end up in other places of our bodies like the brain.
Those with chronic symptoms and illnesses need to be more aware of avoiding these chemicals.
Chemicals to look out for
Acrylates- linked to cancer, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, cellular and neurological damage
Found in artificial nails, and nail enhancing polish
Benzophenone- linked to cancer, endocrine disrupter, developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity
Found in lip balm, nail polish, foundations, baby sunscreens, regular sunscreen, fragrance, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, moisturizers
Butylated Compounds- endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity, reproductive toxicity, cancer
Carbon Black- linked to cancer and organ system toxicity
Found in eyeliner, mascara, nail polish, eye shadow, brush on brow pencil, lipstick, blush, and foundation
Coal Tar- linked to cancer and organ system toxicity
Found in shampoos, scalp treatments, soaps, hair dyes, and lotions
Dibutyl and diethylhexyl phthalates- which disrupt hormones and damage the reproductive system.
Dioxane- a contaminant linked to cancer, a known breast carcinogen
Found in shampoo and liquid soaps, anything that creates suds
Hair relaxers
Found in lip products, hair products, makeup, sunscreen, deodorant
Ethanolamine Compounds (MEA, DEA, TEA, and others)- prohibited by the European Union due it being a carcinogen, linked to cancer and organ system toxicity
Found in soaps, shampoos, conditioners, dyes, lotions, shaving creams, paraffin waxes, household cleaning products, pharmaceutical ointments, eyeliners, mascara, eye shadow, blush, make-up bases, foundations, fragrances, sunscreen
Ethoxylated ingredients- results in two toxic contaminants linked to breast cancers and other cancers
Found in shampoo, liquid soap, bubble bath, hair relaxers
Formaldehyde- a known carcinogen.
Found in shampoos, and body wash, even baby soaps
Nail polish nail, glue, hair color, eyelash glue
Homosalate- endocrine disruption and skin absorption
Found in sunscreen and any skin care products containing sunscreen
Hydroquinone- cancer, respiratory irritation, organ system toxicity
Found in skin lighteners, facial and skin cleansers, facial moisturizers, hair conditioners, finger nail coating products
Isobutyl and isopropyl parabens- which disrupt hormones and harm the reproductive system.
Lead and other heavy metals (i.e. aluminum)- like mercury damage the liver, the kidneys, nervous system and get into the brain
Found in lipstick, whitening toothpaste, eye liner, and nail color, and deodorant
The long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances- known as PFAS, which have been linked to cancer.
Mercury- which damages the liver, the kidneys, nervous system and get into the brain
Found in lipstick, whitening toothpaste, eye liner, and nail color
Methylene glycol- a type of formaldehyde.
Found in shampoos, and body wash, even baby soaps
Nail polish, nail glue, hair color, eyelash glue
M- and o-phenylenediamine- used in hair dyes, which irritate and sensitize the skin, damage DNA and can cause cancer.
Methylisothiazolinone & Methylchloroisothiazolinone- inhalation toxicity, allergies, and neurotoxicity
Found in shampoo, conditioner, hair color, body wash, lotion, sunscreen mascara, shaving cream, baby lotion, baby shampoo, hairspray, makeup remover, liquid soaps and detergents
Mica- lung irritation
Found in makeup products, shingles, wallpaper, insulation, cement, asphalt
Nail polish removers- irritation of the skin, eyes, and lungs, organ toxicity, and cancer
Nano particles- not much is known about nano particles, but they do put stress on the lungs
Found in sunscreen, deodorant, toothpastes, shampoos, lotions, foundation, anti-aging cream, and nail polish
Nitrosamines- cancer, endocrine disruptor, organ system toxicity
Found in nearly every kind of personal care product
Octinoxate- endocrine disruptor, reproductive and developmental toxicity, organ system toxicity, harms the thyroid, it is absorbed rapidly through the skin, it mimics estrogen in the body
Hair color products, shampoos, sunscreen, lipstick, nail polish, skin creams
Parabens- endocrine disruptor, cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, absorbed through the skin, blood, and digestive system
Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, facial and shower cleansers and scrubs
PABA (padimate O)- endocrine disruptor, sensitization and bioaccumulation
Found in sunscreens
Paraformaldehyde- a type of formaldehyde.
Found in shampoos, and body wash, even baby soaps
Nail polish, nail glue, hair color, eyelash glue
Petroleum Jelly or Petrolatum- this is a byproduct of petroleum refining, causes cancer. Also labeled as paraffin oil, mineral oil, and white petrolatum
Found in lotions, cosmetics, Vaseline
Phenxyethanol- causes allergies, nervous system effects
Found in moisturizer, eye shadow, foundation, sunscreen, conditioner, mascara, eye liner, shampoo, lip gloss, concealer, body wash, hand cream, blush, hair color, hairspray, lip balm, lotion, nail polish, baby wipes, baby lotions and soaps, soap (liquid and bar), shaving cream, deodorant, toothpaste, fragrance, hair removal waxes, hand sanitizer, and ultrasound gel
Polyacrylamide- this breaks down into acrylamide, which is a carcinogen, reproductive and developmental toxicity
Found in facial moisturizers, anti-aging products, color cosmetics, lotions, hair products, sunscreens
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon ®)- linked to cancer, breast cancer, reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruptor
Found in pressed powder, loose powder, bronzer, blush, eye shadow, mascara, shave gel, lip balm, anti-aging lotions
P-Phenylenediamine- cancer, mutagenicity, organ toxicity
Found in hair dyes
Phthalates- endocrine disruptor, developmental and reproductive toxicity
Found in color cosmetics, fragranced lotions, body washes, hair care products, nail polish
Quaternium 15- which releases formaldehyde, causes irritation to the eyes, skin, and lungs
Found in shampoos, and body wash, even baby soaps
Nail polish, nail glue, hair color, eyelash glue
Resorcinol- organ system toxicity, endocrine disruptor
Hair dyes, shampoos, hair lotions, peels, in products that are used to treat acne, eczema, and other dermatological issues
Retinol & Retinol Compounds- cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity
Found in anti-aging creams and lotions, moisturizers, and foundation
Styrene Acrylates Copolymer- a carcinogen
Found in nail polish, sunscreen, sunscreen moisturizer, body wash/cleanser, shampoo, eyeliner
Synthetic Musks- endocrine disruptor, organ system toxicity, reproductive toxicity
Found in perfumes, colognes, scented soaps, body wash, sprays, lotions, hair products, detergent, and softeners
Talc- cancer, organ system toxicity
Found in baby powder, shower products, lotions, feminine hygiene products, eyeshadow, foundation, lipstick, deodorants, and face masks
Titanium Dioxide in nano-particle form- carcinogen
Found in sunscreen and pressed and loose powders
Toluene- developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity
Found in nail polish, nail treatment, and hair dyes
Triclosan (TSC, TCC)- endocrine disruptor, bacterial infection, environmental toxicity
Found in antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, tooth whitening products, deodorant, shaving products, creams, color cosmetics
Some of the chemicals in beauty products do not have to be disclosed on the package, because they are components of fragrance and so are exempt from federal labeling requirements.
Fragrance is defined by the FDA as “a combination of chemicals that gives each perfume or cologne (including those used in other products) its distinct scent. Fragrance ingredients may be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials. Companies that manufacture perfume or cologne purchase fragrance mixtures from fragrance houses (companies that specialize in developing fragrances) to develop their own proprietary blends. In addition to “scent” chemicals that create the fragrance, perfumes and colognes also contain solvents, stabilizers, UV-absorbers, preservatives, and dyes.”
These additives are not always, listed on product labels. The chemical components in fragrance itself are protected as trade secrets and listed on the label only as “fragrance.” In other skin care and beauty products, fragrances that are added also include the combination of ingredients that give the product a scent and that stabilize the scent. These are usually only indicated by the term “fragrance” or “parfum.” All fragrance products like perfumes, colognes, air fresheners, candles, anything that has a scent, etc. 9 times out of 10 contains harmful chemicals that weaken the immune system, and damage the liver.
Here are three of my favorite clean beauty brands: