There are more people than ever who are plagued by allergies, cancer and other diseases of toxic stress. When you read the labels of almost every product you might see a host of added ingredients that you probably can’t pronounce. Some of the worst culprits are beauty and cleaning products. With the skin being the body’s largest organ and an easy pathway to the cells, having toxic ingredients in these products can easily put the body in a state of toxic overload.
Here are some of the products to look for and avoid as much as possible.
1. Benzoyl peroxide: Used in acne products. The warning on this product is that it may promote tumors and may cause DNA damage in humans.
2. DEA, MEA and TEA (di-, mono-, and triehanolamine): This is a foam booster and is an eye and skin irritant and can cause contact dermatitis. These are easily absorbed through the skin and accumulate in the organs of the body, as well as the brain.
3. Dioxin: This won’t appear in the ingredient list. This is often in antibacterial ingredients like triclosan, emulsifiers, PEGs and ethoxylated cleaners like Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Dioxin causes cancer, reduced immunity, causes nervous system disorders and birth defects.
4. DMDM Hydantoin and Urea (Imidazolidinyl): These are two preservatives that release formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, cancer, skin reactions, allergies, depression and chronic fatigue.
5. FD&C color and pigments: Synthetic colors from coal tar contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins in the skin causing skin irritation. Animal studies have shown them to be carcinogenic.
6. Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl and Propyl): Used as preservatives but not always label-ed.Frequently used in deodorant and other skin care products, these have been found in breast cancer tumors and may contribute to hormone imbalances.
7. PEG (Polyethylene glycol): Made by ethoxylating propolene glycol. Dangerous levels of dioxin have been found as a by-product of the ethoxylation process. PEGs are in everything from personal care, baby care and sunscreen products.
8. Phthalates: Found in many products but not listed on the label. Health effects include kidney and liver damage and birth defects.
9. Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol: These are petroleum plastics. The EPA considers PG so toxic that it requires gloves, clothing, goggles when handling and burying is the only accepted method of disposal. The EPA warns against skin contact to prevent brain, liver and kidney abnormalities, yet it is found in most skin care products.
10. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): These are used in car washes garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers and in 90% of personal-care products that foam. Health risks include eye damage, depression, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, skin irritation and even death.
11. Avobenzone, benzphenone, ethoxycinnamate, and PABA ingredients that are commonly used in sunscreens. These are known free radical generators and are believed to damage DNA and lead to cancer.
12. Triclosan: This is a synthetic antibacterial ingredient. The EPA registers it as a pesticide, posing a risk to human health and the environment. It is classified as a chlorophenol, which are chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer in humans.
So, check the labels of products around your house. You will undoubtedly be unpleasantly surprised how many you find. To help reduce the toxic load on your body, reduce the chemicals it is exposed to. Look for natural products, organic products and chemical free products.
It isn’t easy, but your health now and in the future may thank you for the effort you took to find less toxic cleaning and beauty products.