Chemicals to Avoid in Your Cosmetics

What is lurking in your beauty products?

In order to make cheaper products and increase profit margins, large companies put harmful chemicals into their products. In most cases these chemicals are super cheap and produce a product that can sit on a shelf for 3 years without molding. Another problem is that anyone can call anything "natural" and even some natural ingredients are unsafe. Up to 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream. That is why the sudden popularity in medication patches for the skin. Take the time to educate yourself about ingredients that may cause you or your family harm.

Here is a list of some things to avoid when purchasing any beauty product.

1.DEA, MEA, TEA (diethanolamine, monoethanolamine,triethanolamine) These ingredients are almost always found in products that foam. They disrupt hormone function and a federal government study has shown DEA to greatly increase the risk of cancer. Can cause skin and hair dryness, allergic reactions, and may be toxic if absorbed by the skin over a long period of time.

2.Parabens (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben) Most products on the shelf have one or all of these chemicals to inhibit microbial growth and extend shelf life. Highly toxic, these ingredients cause allergic reactions and skin rashes.

3.Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea (I. Urea, D. Urea) These preservatives come in second to the parabens. They are not very effective, so they must be used with other preservatives. The American Academy of Dermatology has established these ingredients as a primary cause of contact dermatitis. One form releases formaldehyde. Highly toxic.

4.Propylene Glycol: This ingredient is usually derived from a synthetic petrochemical mixture. It is the active ingredient in antifreeze. It is used by industry to break down protein and cellular structure so they have to wear protective clothing, goggles and gloves. Yet, it is put into products that we slather all over our skin! Causes allergic and toxic reactions.

5.Petrolatum, Petroleum Jelly, Mineral Oil: Obviously these are petroleum derived ingredients. All petroleum products (petrochemicals) are incredibly cheap, which is why they appear in so many products. It coats the skin with a layer that disrupts your skins ability to function properly. Promotes burning (sun damage), dry and chapped skin, and clogged pores.

6.Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: It is very difficult to find a shampoo or even body wash without this ingredient. It is a detergent used for its foam building abilities. It causes allergic reactions, skin rash, eye irritation and hair and scalp problems. Although you will find it in many "natural" products; there's nothing natural about it.

7.Stearalkonium Chloride: This chemical is used in creams and conditioners. It was developed as a fabric softener. Causes allergic reactions.

8.PVP/VA Copolymer: Another petrochemical. This one is found in hairsprays, wavesets and other cosmetics. Considered toxic.

9.Synthetic Colors: Everybody loves color and in striving for a pretty product that people will buy most companies have turned to synthetics. You should avoid products that have FD&C or D&C followed by a color and number. You don't need them, avoid them. Many may be cancer-causing (carcinogenic).

10.Synthetic Fragrances: It is hard to know what you are getting when a label says "fragrance." Each fragrance can contain as many as 200 different ingredients. Some of those ingredients can be highly toxic and allergenic. Some problems caused by these ingredients can be headaches, dizziness, vomiting, severe coughing, and skin irritation. Use products scented with essential oils.