“Consumers believe that ‘if it’s on the market, it can’t hurt me’
and this belief is sometimes wrong”
-Director of FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors (FDA 1998)
The FDA classifies cosmetics and personal care products, but does not regulate them. In 1938, the FDA granted self-regulation to the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association (CTFA), a self-appointed industry organization. With the exception of color additives and a few prohibited ingredients, a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from the FDA” (“Prohibited Ingredients”, FDA Office of Cosmetics Fact Sheet, Dec. 19, 1994).
The absence of government oversight for the 35 billion dollar industry leads to companies routinely marketing products with ingredients that are poorly studied, not studied at all, or worse, known to pose potential serious health risks. Little research is available to document the safety or health risks of low-dose, repeated exposure to chemical mixtures like those in personal care products, but the absence of data should never be mistaken for proof of safety. The more we study low dose exposures, the more we understand that they can cause adverse effects ranging from the subtle and reversible, to effects that are more serious and permanent.
Did you know that:
One of every 120 products on the market contains ingredients certified by government authorities as known or probable human carcinogens, including shampoos, lotions, make-up foundations, and lip balms manufactured by Almay, Neutrogena, Grecian Formula, and others. An astonishing one-third of all products contain one or more ingredients classified as possible human carcinogens.
Seventy-one hair dye products contain ingredients derived from carcinogenic coal tar. These products have all been granted a specific exemption from federal rules that deem products to be adulterated when they contain ingredients that can harm human health. Coal tar containing products include dyes made by Clairol, Revlon, L’Oreal, and others. Coal tar hair dyes are one of the few products for which FDA has issued consumer advice on the benefits of reducing use, in this case as a way to potentially “reduce the risk of cancer” (FDA 1993).
Fifty-five percent of all products assessed contain “penetration enhancers,” ingredients that can increase a product’s penetration through the skin and into the bloodstream, increasing consumers’ exposures to other ingredients as well. We found 50 products containing penetration enhancers in combination with known or probable human carcinogens.
Nearly 70 percent of all products contain ingredients that can be contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other health problems. Studies by FDA and European agencies show that these impurities are common, in some cases occurring in nearly half of all products tested (FDA 1996, DTI 1998). Some manufacturers buy ingredients certified by an independent organization called the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). These ingredients may contain lower levels of harmful impurities, but the criteria for certification are not public. There are no federal standards for ingredient purity. While it seems likely that some companies purchase or manufacture refined, purified ingredients, it is equally likely that many do not. Consumers and government health officials have no way to know.
Fifty-four products violate recommendations for safe use set by the industry’s self-regulating Cosmetic Ingredient Review board. Most of these products contain ingredients found unsafe for the intended use of the product they are found in. Examples include ingredients found unsafe for use in baby products, but used in diaper cream, ingredients found unsafe for use on injured or damaged skin contained in products marketed specifically for use on chapped and injured skin, and ingredients not safe for sprays, but found in spray products. Brand name products found in violation of industry recommendations include Neutrogena, Desitin, Herbal Essences, and Rite Aid.
In its 67-year history of monitoring cosmetic safety, FDA has banned or restricted just nine personal care product ingredients (FDA 2000). In its review of 1,175 ingredients, the industry’s safety panel has found just nine ingredients (a different nine) unsafe for use in cosmetics (CIR 2003). By contrast, 450 ingredients are banned for use in cosmetics in the European Union, although the vast majority of these have never been used by the industry.
The regulatory vacuum in the U.S. gives cosmetic companies tremendous leeway in selecting ingredients, while it transfers potentially significant and largely unnecessary health risks to the users of the products.
In a systematic comparison of ingredients in 7,500 personal care products against government lists of cancer-causing chemicals, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found that one of every 100 products on the market lists on the label a known or probable human carcinogen, and an astonishing one-third of all products contain one or more ingredients with at least some evidence of carcinogencity in laboratory studies or investigations of human populations.
EWG’s assessment of product ingredient labels and data on cancer-causing chemicals identified three common impurities in personal care products that are linked to mammary tumors in animal studies – ethylene oxide, PAHs, and 1,3-butadiene. The ingredients for which these impurities are of concern are used in one of every four personal care products on the market. http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/report/cancer.php
Overview Of Ingredients By Personal Product Class
Cosmetics
The number of chemicals in a simple lipstick is astounding. In addition to phthalates (which can cause kidney and liver damage and harm developing fetus), lipstick may contain the possible human carcinogens butylated hydroxytoluene, polyethylene, dimethicone and a slew of artificial colors derived from coal tar. If you wear lipstick every day, you will ingest at least 4 pounds of it over your lifetime. (Better Nutrition February 2005).
Colognes and Perfumes
Excessive alcohol content may harm and/or kill a small child after a small amount of ingestion. More children are poisoned every year in the home from toxic substances, including personal care products, than are accidentally killed playing with guns. http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/report/executive_summary.php
Other ingredients may include formaldehyde (a potential human carcinogen); petroleum distillates (a crude oil distillate); and toluene (a volatile, flammable liquid). Overexposure to these ingredients may serve as a skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; may be a central nervous system depressant or a cardiac sensitizer. Prolonged exposure may cause liver damage, kidney damage, anemia, or even cancer. Consistent exposure during pregnancy may cause birth defects.
Deodorants and Aerosols
Most common spray deodorants contain ammonia, formaldehyde (a potential human carcinogen), isobutane, petroleum distillates, and propane. Isobutane and propane are highly flammable propellants, which generate fumes that are irritating to the eyes and lungs. These fumes may cause depression. After spraying, airborne residues may aggravate sinus cavities and cause migraine headaches. Excessive spray may trigger asthma or other respiratory ailment. Prolonged exposure may damage the lungs, liver, kidneys, and heart. Label precautions read “DANGER!”
Hair Sprays, Aerosol
Isobutane and propane propellants are highly flammable. Under the right circumstances (like smoking a cigarette while spraying your hair), they can be ignited like a flame-throwing torch. Direct contact may cause eye damage. They can act as a skin irritant. Fumes may cause chronic lung irritation, depression, dizziness, fatigue, headache, and stupor. Label precautions read “DANGER!”
Mouthwash
These usually contain 20% ethyl alcohol. May act as an eye, nose, and throat irritant. Over-ingestion can lead to dizziness, sluggishness, and stupor. Label precautions read “CAUTION”.
Toothpaste
Fluoride is found in nature in the form of calcium fluoride. The active ingredient in toothpaste is sodium fluoride (0.15% w/v fluoride ion). Concentrated sodium fluoride is a toxic and corrosive chemical compound derived from fluorine gas. Any effect that fluoride provides in preventing dental caries is topical rather than systemic. Children should always be supervised when brushing their teeth. They should be instructed to use only a pea-size amount of toothpaste and never be allowed to swallow it. Adults and children should consider natural, non-fluoridated toothpastes considering our societies and environments increasing exposure to this highly toxic chemical. See Zone #3 for details.
Here are some safe alternatives for personal care products, listed by category:
Shampoo
Pure Essentials Fragrance-Free Shampoo – they also make a conditioner
Giovanni’s Tea Tree Shampoo (contains no sodium laurel sulfate or propylene glycol!)
Granny’s Old Fashioned Shampoo – they also make a conditioner
Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Castile Liquid Soap
Soap
Sirena Pure Coconut Oil Soap
Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Soap
Dr. Bronner’s Baby Super mild Soap
Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Castile Liquid Soap
Deodorant
Mineral crystal stones (or spray) – least toxic choice (HFS)
le Stick French Green Clay Deodorant (Unscented)
Baking soda
French clay powder
Corn starch (great for powder!) – in the baking section of your grocery store.
Toothpaste (Avoid fluoride – it’s toxic and doesn’t prevent cavities.)
Weleda
Tea Tree Oil Toothpaste – various brands
Jason’s (contains no sodium laurel sulfate or propylene glycol!)
Baking Soda, salt and peppermint oil mixed to a paste.
Face Creams and Body Lotions
(Avoid “Quaternium-15″, which releases formaldehyde!)
Plain almond oil or olive oil
Kiss My Face Fragrance-Free Olive and Aloe moisture lotion
Granny’s Old Fashioned Moisture Guard
Nature’s Plus Vitamin E Cream
Cocoa butter, plain or with almond oil only
Any fragrance-free moisturizer from regular stores would be better than scented moisturizers.
Cosmetics
“Most natural makeup bases use products such as jojoba oil and candelilla wax instead of petrochemicals such as mineral oil (a gasoline production by-product). Colors are derived from naturally occurring earth pigments in lieu of artificial colors.” (Soref A. 2005 Feb. Beautiful You: Natural Makeup Goes High-End. Better Nutrition).”
“Shoppers will see breakthrough technology in natural makeup that rivals the big brands. Brands like Borlind of Germany are made with tiny lecithin liposome’s (pouches) that melt over time, so that foundation maintains a dewy look. “Some natural foundations tended to look gritty over time”, says Linda Upton, Borlind’s vice president of education and training. “This technology has changed that.” Borlind also offers more than 20 eye shadow shades and 16 lipstick tints.”(Ibid).
“Some manufacturers are finding new ways to avoid using synthetic preservatives such as parabens. At Logona USA, the makeup packaging is designed so that fingers do not make contact with the product, possibly introducing bacteria, says Michael Wrightson, president of Logona USA. The products are preserved with essential oils, tocopherols, even salt.(Ibid).
Sunscreens
Aubrey Organics Ultra 15 Natural Herbal Sun block
Jojoba oil
Hair Spray
For the most part – AVOID! Most hair sprays contain nerve gas and propane or butane (yes, the stuff that goes into your gas heater and lighters!) and are VERY toxic. Cut hair in a style that does not require sprays. You can also make a homemade gel by dissolving 1 package of unflavored vegetable gelatin in 2 cups of hot water. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.
Plain aloe vera gel!
Feminine Hygiene
Glad Rags – organic cotton menstrual pads, tampons, and other non-toxic products.
(NOTE: FDA studies have shown commercially made pads and tampons to contain harmful substances. The traditional cotton used in these products has been grown using as many as 35 different pesticides and chemicals and is then chlorine-bleached, creating dioxin in the process.)
Shaving Cream
Kiss My Face
Plain aloe vera gel can be used for aftershave – works great!
Homemade Recipe: 1/4 cup pure aloe vera gel, 1/4 cup pure coconut oil, 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin, 1/8 cup liquid Castille soap. Stir gently together and either put in a spray bottle or apply by hand. Apply a nice coating and then shave away!
Miscellaneous Tip: Plant mint around the house to keep mosquitoes away. Rub some mint leaves on you to keep them from biting you.
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