[Green]: Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics

In the year 2008, a time with so many wondrous medical advances, millions of people are still getting sick at alarming rates. It makes no sense, right?

We struggle to stay healthy by cutting back on junk food, try to get in at least some cardio (the gym is always packed), and you might even hold your breath when someone lights a cigarette near you. So why are you more likely than ever before to be at risk for diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more?

Researchers say that several illnesses might be caused by an increased use of chemicals in consumer products that we use EVERY DAY, such as cosmetics. Dun dun DUNNNN! It's scary to think that brushing your teeth can cause cancer!


Here are the top chemicals found in cosmetics and personal care products - and most importantly, how to avoid them!

According to "The Green Guide" and several other sources I researched, some of the top chemicals that we use several times per day are as follows:

• Coal tar: Coal tar is a human carcinogen that is used as an active ingredient in several products such as toothpaste and mouthwash! Look out for the dyes FD&C Blue 1 and FD&C Green 3. These dyes have caused cancer when injected into lab animals.
  
  
• Formaldehyde: Yes, this is the stuff they use to preserve those dissection frogs in high school. Remember how bad this stuff smelled? Well, formaldehyde is used as a preservative in nail polish, nail hardener, hair dyes, shampoo, soap, eyelash glue and more! Many companies try to play games and switch up the names of the chemicals. Formaldehyde is also known as quaternium 15, diazolidinyl urea and imidazolidinyl urea, among other aliases. This chemical results in respiratory irritation and even cancer in humans. Nail polish probably has the highest levels of this chemical. Little did you know that the nail salon was a potential death trap! I'm being dramatic, but to avoid the side effects of the chemical, paint your nails outside or in a well-ventilated area.
  
  
• Petroleum: Yes, the stuff that goes in your car! Petroleum is a possible human carcinogen, which means that it may cause cancer. The use of petroleum distillates are banned in European cosmetics, but are used rampantly in American brands of mascara and more! Watch out for the terms "petroleum" or "parrafin" on ingredients list, especially in hair oils which tend to prominently include this ingredient.
  
  
• Phthalates: Chemicals also known as dibuthylphthalate (DBP), dimethylphthalate (DMP), diethylphthalates (DEP) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) are used in several products such as nail polish, perfumes and more! Exposure to phthalates is linked to hormone abnormalities.
  

• Parabens: They are listed on your products as alkyl parahydroxy-benzoate, butyl-, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and isobutylparabens. They are an extremely common preservative in lotions, scrubs and conditioners. They mimic estrogen and increase the risk of breast cancer!

I've only listed five major chemicals, and there are so many more. After reading about this, I decided to go on an investigation of a couple of the major cosmetics brands that we love.

• MAC (owned by Estee Lauder): Reading this truly broke my heart to pieces, but MAC uses several toxic chemicals in their products! One of the most harmful chemicals they use in their eyeshadow is called BHT. It can cause "neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, allergies/immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), and irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)." Also, MAC conducts animal testing and has not signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics!
  

• L'Oreal: Basically, their cosmetics pose a low to moderate safety risk. However, all of their hair color brands were very very high risk. Be very careful when using these at-home hair dye formulas.

I am seriously disturbed! To avoid your exposure to potential risk, try to integrate some truly natural products into your beauty regimen (some products that claim to be "natural" contain just the same chemicals, but that's another post).

Here are some of the safest cosmetics brands, which do not conduct animal testing and do not include dangerous chemicals in their products.

• Bare Escentuals
• Burt's Bees
• Jane Iredale Cosmetics
• Larenim Cosmetics
• Zosimos Botanicals
  

Doing all of this research has proven to be very shocking. Even though one use of a product may not be immediately detrimental, exessive use over time can cause harmful effects. I'm not saying that you should stop using your favorite cosmetics. I will definitely be reading the ingredients list and buying more truly natural products, but I probably won't stop using MAC products. I know you probably won't either. Let's be real. However, we all need to be aware of exactly what we are ingesting and putting on our faces. That is the most important thing.

Here are some more resources on the safety of the cosmetics that we use every single day:

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Skin Deep - Chemicals in Cosmetics