Toxic Ingredients (aka The Dirty Dozen) in Cosmetics
Did you know? Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), cosmetic products and ingredients, with the exception of color additives, do not have to undergo FDA review or approval before they go on the market. Cosmetics must be properly labeled, and they must be safe for use by consumers under labeled or customary conditions of use. Cosmetic companies have a legal responsibility for the safety and labeling of their products and ingredients, but the law does not require them to share their safety information with FDA. Source
1.BHA and BHT
Used mainly in moisturizers and makeup as preservatives and is found in lipstick, eye shadow, lip gloss and skin cream. This preservative penetrates the skin and stays put in fatty tissue. When the body metabolizes them, it creates free radicals in your body that can create damage to cell’s DNA, causing cancer. Suspected endocrine disruptors.
2.Coal tar dyes (FD&C Color Pigments)
Is used in some hair dyes; other colors are used in a variety of cosmetics like lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow, blush, and other facial makeups. Potential to cause cancer and may be contaminated with heavy metals toxic to the brain. Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even lead to death in some rare cases. Synthetic colors from coal tar contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins in skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation; many are carcinogenic.
3.DEA
These foam boosters are found in shampoos, hair styling products, facial cleansers, moisturizers, soaps and shower gels; all can cause contact dermatitis. They are easily absorbed through skin to accumulate in body organs, even the brain. Repeated use can result in major increases of liver and kidney cancer.These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamines, which may cause cancer.
4.Dibutyl phthalate
Used as a plasticizer in some nail care products. Suspected endocrine disruptor and reproductive toxicant.Manufacturers use phthalates to help dissolve other ingredients into a consistent solution, to make nail polishes less brittle and to keep hair spray from making hair too stiff. Both phthalates and parabens act on estrogen pathways, which in humans have been associated with such varied effects as decreased sperm count, endometriosis and insulin resistance.
5.Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
They are found in nearly all mainstream brands of skin, body and hair care products, antiperspirants and nail polish. Formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations. Extended exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. More serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer.
6.Parabens
Are the most widely used preservative in cosmetic products (they are also used as fragrance ingredients but are not listed). Parabens in personal care products act as preservatives and antimicrobials. They can easily penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. They can mimic estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, and have been detected in human breast cancer tissues, suggesting a possible association with cancer. Parabens may also interfere with male reproductive functions.
7.Fragrance or Parfum
Manufacturers are not required to disclose the specific chemicals they use for fragrance in their brand’s list of ingredients. Sometimes called parfum, this is considered to be a ‘trade secret’, but it’s one that could harm your health. Anything that smells nice, including deodorants, perfumes, make up, shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, body care and even baby care products, probably contains chemical fragrance. Many of the compounds in fragrances are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic, and even one single ‘fragrance’ listing on a product can actually indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of these are usually synthetic. Symptoms related to fragrance use include headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, and other behavioral problems. Some fragrance ingredients can trigger allergies and asthma. Some linked to cancer and neurotoxicity.
8.PEG compounds
Used in some cosmetic cream bases. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer. PEG also functions as a “penetration enhancer,” increasing the permeability of the skin to allow greater absorption of the product — including potentially harmful ingredients.
9.Petrolatum (Mineral Oil and Petroleum Jelly)
These petroleum-industry by products are found in shampoos (for shine), creams, lipsticks/lip balm(moisture barrier), eyeshadows, foundations, and of course, baby oil, which is 100% mineral oil. Petroleum is commonly used to coat the skin like plastic wrap, but by doing so, the skin’s natural immune barrier is disrupted and the skin then loses its ability to breathe and release toxins, which can then promote acne and other disorders. This process also slows down skin function and normal cell development, causing the skin to prematurely age and may cause cancer.
10.Siloxanes
Widely used in moisturizers, makeup, and hair care products, these silicone-based compounds are used to soften, smooth, and hydrate. They make hair products dry more quickly and deodorant creams slide on more easily. They are also used extensively in moisturizers, facial treatments, medical implants and lubricants, but these chemicals are thought to build up toxicity in the liver and gastro intestinal system. Suspected endocrine disruptor and reproductive toxicant.
11.Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate
These foaming agents are found in almost all shampoos, shower gels, toothpastes and other foamy products and are irritants to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract and which may cause cancer.
12.Triclosan
Is a common ingredient in many grooming products, including toothpaste, facial washes, and deodorants, but it is mainly found in antibacterial hand washes, soaps, gels and household cleaners (which have since been removed from soaps). The chemical can cause liver damage, and even small amounts have been linked to thyroid problems. Suspected endocrine disruptor and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
Baker’s Dirty Dozen Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics
13.Talc
The naturally occurring mineral is extracted from open-pit mines in the U.S. and around the world. It's a dilutant that's paired with pigment for the desired effect. Talc is a powdered native, hydrous magnesium silicate sometimes containing a small portion of aluminum silicate. Talc can be contaminated with asbestos fibers, posing risks for respiratory toxicity and cancer. Studies by the National Toxicology Panel demonstrated that cosmetic-grade talc free of asbestos is a form of magnesium silicate that also can be toxic and carcinogenic.
14.Bismuth
Bismuth oxychloride is a naturally ocurring mineral used as a makeup colorant that provides an iridescent (shiny) effect. The main concern with this ingredient is that it is irritating. The heaviness of the ingredient can also clog pores, which is definitely not good for those with acne-prone skin.
Used mainly in moisturizers and makeup as preservatives and is found in lipstick, eye shadow, lip gloss and skin cream. This preservative penetrates the skin and stays put in fatty tissue. When the body metabolizes them, it creates free radicals in your body that can create damage to cell’s DNA, causing cancer. Suspected endocrine disruptors.
2.Coal tar dyes (FD&C Color Pigments)
Is used in some hair dyes; other colors are used in a variety of cosmetics like lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow, blush, and other facial makeups. Potential to cause cancer and may be contaminated with heavy metals toxic to the brain. Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even lead to death in some rare cases. Synthetic colors from coal tar contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins in skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation; many are carcinogenic.
3.DEA
These foam boosters are found in shampoos, hair styling products, facial cleansers, moisturizers, soaps and shower gels; all can cause contact dermatitis. They are easily absorbed through skin to accumulate in body organs, even the brain. Repeated use can result in major increases of liver and kidney cancer.These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamines, which may cause cancer.
4.Dibutyl phthalate
Used as a plasticizer in some nail care products. Suspected endocrine disruptor and reproductive toxicant.Manufacturers use phthalates to help dissolve other ingredients into a consistent solution, to make nail polishes less brittle and to keep hair spray from making hair too stiff. Both phthalates and parabens act on estrogen pathways, which in humans have been associated with such varied effects as decreased sperm count, endometriosis and insulin resistance.
5.Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
They are found in nearly all mainstream brands of skin, body and hair care products, antiperspirants and nail polish. Formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations. Extended exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. More serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer.
6.Parabens
Are the most widely used preservative in cosmetic products (they are also used as fragrance ingredients but are not listed). Parabens in personal care products act as preservatives and antimicrobials. They can easily penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. They can mimic estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, and have been detected in human breast cancer tissues, suggesting a possible association with cancer. Parabens may also interfere with male reproductive functions.
7.Fragrance or Parfum
Manufacturers are not required to disclose the specific chemicals they use for fragrance in their brand’s list of ingredients. Sometimes called parfum, this is considered to be a ‘trade secret’, but it’s one that could harm your health. Anything that smells nice, including deodorants, perfumes, make up, shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, body care and even baby care products, probably contains chemical fragrance. Many of the compounds in fragrances are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic, and even one single ‘fragrance’ listing on a product can actually indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of these are usually synthetic. Symptoms related to fragrance use include headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, and other behavioral problems. Some fragrance ingredients can trigger allergies and asthma. Some linked to cancer and neurotoxicity.
8.PEG compounds
Used in some cosmetic cream bases. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer. PEG also functions as a “penetration enhancer,” increasing the permeability of the skin to allow greater absorption of the product — including potentially harmful ingredients.
9.Petrolatum (Mineral Oil and Petroleum Jelly)
These petroleum-industry by products are found in shampoos (for shine), creams, lipsticks/lip balm(moisture barrier), eyeshadows, foundations, and of course, baby oil, which is 100% mineral oil. Petroleum is commonly used to coat the skin like plastic wrap, but by doing so, the skin’s natural immune barrier is disrupted and the skin then loses its ability to breathe and release toxins, which can then promote acne and other disorders. This process also slows down skin function and normal cell development, causing the skin to prematurely age and may cause cancer.
10.Siloxanes
Widely used in moisturizers, makeup, and hair care products, these silicone-based compounds are used to soften, smooth, and hydrate. They make hair products dry more quickly and deodorant creams slide on more easily. They are also used extensively in moisturizers, facial treatments, medical implants and lubricants, but these chemicals are thought to build up toxicity in the liver and gastro intestinal system. Suspected endocrine disruptor and reproductive toxicant.
11.Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate
These foaming agents are found in almost all shampoos, shower gels, toothpastes and other foamy products and are irritants to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract and which may cause cancer.
12.Triclosan
Is a common ingredient in many grooming products, including toothpaste, facial washes, and deodorants, but it is mainly found in antibacterial hand washes, soaps, gels and household cleaners (which have since been removed from soaps). The chemical can cause liver damage, and even small amounts have been linked to thyroid problems. Suspected endocrine disruptor and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
Baker’s Dirty Dozen Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics
13.Talc
The naturally occurring mineral is extracted from open-pit mines in the U.S. and around the world. It's a dilutant that's paired with pigment for the desired effect. Talc is a powdered native, hydrous magnesium silicate sometimes containing a small portion of aluminum silicate. Talc can be contaminated with asbestos fibers, posing risks for respiratory toxicity and cancer. Studies by the National Toxicology Panel demonstrated that cosmetic-grade talc free of asbestos is a form of magnesium silicate that also can be toxic and carcinogenic.
14.Bismuth
Bismuth oxychloride is a naturally ocurring mineral used as a makeup colorant that provides an iridescent (shiny) effect. The main concern with this ingredient is that it is irritating. The heaviness of the ingredient can also clog pores, which is definitely not good for those with acne-prone skin.
