The Toxic Ingredients in Cosmetics and Food!

Do you know what you're buying? Do you know what is in your food, skincare, cosmetics and lots of other products you use almost everyday Really? I believe most people do not.

Do you know why? Because if you knew the real story and understood what it did to your body, you wouldn't purchase the products in the first place. In addition, the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, skincare companies would simply go out of business!

Unfortunately, we still buy the stuff as we 'need it' - to look beautiful, appear clean or healthy. Little do we know what some of these ingredients that are so commonly used and added actually do. Quite the opposite!

There is so much evidence in reputable, published journals about the link between cancer and toxicity caused by many of these chemicals, you just have to do a net search on them. And, it's actually pretty scary. Some of them are so noxious, they can cause death but are let into the products as the percentage is 'low'. What has been neglected is that the 'low' percentage combined with other chemicals then can turn into something far nastier!

Over recent years, a lot of attention has been focused on this topic and thankfully changes are happening. Now, at least, labels must list ALL ingredients so the consumer knows what they're buying, however, not al of us know the long unpronounceable words that appear on these labels. You almost have to have a degree in chemistry to understand how it works and what's good and bad.

Organic everything is on the rise which is good but there are problems. That is, natural preservatives don't work as well as chemical or for as long and a lot of manufacturers are heralding their products as organic when in fact they are not. Laws are coming into effect to try and combat this and 100% organic foods and products must be labelled accordingly and be registered with the correct 'authorities' who will ensure their claims are correct before allowing them to use the "100% Organic" stamp of approval.

It would be great to see the nasties replaced with the goodies, but I think it'll be quite some time in coming...

WASHINGTON, January 30, 2009 ­ While it’s common to see lipstick sales jump during an economic recession, the current global financial crisis may not produce the same result in Canada where the government today declared two chemicals used in lipstick and other personal care products to be toxic.

The move by Canada signals that the government has serious concerns about the hazards of the chemicals, which persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain. Canada will prioritize the chemicals, known as D4 and D5 siloxanes, for action under the government’s Chemicals Management Plan to ensure that exposures are safe for people and the environment.

Canada’s action, which paves the way for possible mandates requiring that companies phase these chemicals out of use, is the first environmental or health-based determination concerning the chemicals issued by any nation.

D4 and D5 toxins are found in such everyday items as body lotions, hair-care products, soaps, baby bottle nipples, cookware and home cleaning products. Both chemicals are linked to uterine tumors and other types of damage to the female reproductive system in animals. Effects in people have not been studied, despite the likelihood of near universal exposure. According to an analysis of Environmental Working Group’s own database of ingredients of over 41,000 personal care products, D4 and D5 are in more than 1 out of 7 products.

Furthermore and maybe of the most concern, both D4 and D5 are extremely persistent, building up in the food chain, the environment, and potentially in people, and remaining for a very long time. And, with both able to move great distances by air, D4 and D5 can easily travel thousands of miles.

Canadian health officials are most concerned about harm to wildlife from these now ubiquitous environmental pollutants. But chemicals like D4 and D5 that resist degradation in the environment and have the potential to build up in the food chain may therefore post significant long-term risks to human health as well.

“Today’s move by Canada is not only important for the health of its citizens, it helps underscore the need for real reforms within the EPA’s failed programs to regulate toxins in the U.S.,” said EWG VP for Research Jane Houlihan. “Congress and President Obama need to overhaul broken toxics laws, and establish a policy that forces the chemical companies to first prove their products are safe before being used.“

As Canada moves forward to assess actions needed to reduce the use of these toxic chemicals under its Chemical Management Plan program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to publish a single study or assessment on D4 and D5 under their parallel program, the High Production Volume (HPV) chemical challenge. D4 and D5 have been prioritized for assessment in the HPV program since 1998.

EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment.

Source: http://www.ewg.org/node/27563

What are these? Some common additions to your food, beauty and personal care products of course!

Parabens Widely used as a preservative in the cosmetic industry, studies have shown parabens to be carcinogenic (cancer forming), yet many products still use them. Some of these agents also disrupt hormones and interfere with the body’s natural systems! There are alternatives to parabens, but the downside is either they produce harmful carcinogenic activity further, or they are natural preservatives so don’t preserve the product for long enough, therefore buyers won’t use them...  

Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) / Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) SLS was a compound designed initially for heavy industrial applications. It’s now found in about 90% of personal care products like cosmetics, soaps, shampoos as well as detergents and degreasers… SLS ‘cuts’ through grease and grime, so when used in a cosmetic formulation, it is so effective it removes all traces of oil / fat which ultimately breaks down the skin’s moisture barrier. This also then penetrates the skin thus allowing other agents to be absorbed through a now non-existent skin barrier. What they fail to tell you is sometimes, when combined with organic chemicals SLS becomes a nitrosamine, which is a carcinogen... 

Toluene (Butylated Hydroxytoluene / Butylhydroxytoluene BHT) Also made from petroleum and found in a lot of fragrances, nail polishes and nail polish removers. The BHT form helps to prevent oxidisation of ingredients in formulations. It is a heavy industrial solvent and is a scheduled carcinogen. It is a T4 cell immune suppressant, which means it weakens the body. This is a highly toxic chemical... 

Petroleum (Mineral Oils / Paraffin Oil) Petroleum is an extraction from crude oil. Anything that is petroleum based and put on the skin doesn’t allow the skin to ‘breathe’ and ultimately leads to skin irritations. It is also a suspected carcinogen. We get a lot of things made from petroleum like diesel, petrol and plastics... But we like to put it on our lips to make them soft 9think petroleum jelly)! 

Acrylamide This is a chemical used as a thickener. Used in industrial applications, it is used in waste water treatment, dyes and ore processing. It is linked to cancer and there have been studies recently (2007 / 2008) showing this to be the case. It is found in skincare and cosmetic products as well as in food like potato chips!  

Phenol (Carbolic Acid) This is a powerful antiseptic, deodoriser and disinfectant used in many skincare preparations. Repeated or prolonged skin contact with Phenol may cause dermatitis, and the substance is a suspected carcinogen...  

Dioxane (Ethylene Oxide) Used as a solvent in a wide range (50%) of personal care products. The compounds are usually contaminated with high concentrations of highly volatile 1,4-dioxane, which is a kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant and easily absorbed through the skin. Look for "myreth", "oleth", "laureth", "ceteareth", any other "eth", "PEG", "polyethylene", "polyethylene glycol", "polyoxyethylene" or "oxynol" on labelling. 

And this is the teensiest list only...

Australian food labelling shows how much salt, sugar, carbohydrate, protein and fat solids are in the food but dangerous food additives can fail to appear on the label. Some of the worst additives are found in packet chips, rice crackers, cheese crackers, two-minute noodles, processed meats, cordials, chocolate flavoured milk...

Do you eat Tim-Tam biscuits? They're a favourite in Oz... the chocolate coating in Tim Tams is not made from cocoa, but a mixture of artificial colours of Tartrazine (102), Sunset Yellow (110), Allura Red (129), Brilliant Blue (133) and Caramel (150). These additives are all suspected carcinogens!

There is also a 5% loophole in the law, which allows manufacturers to not list 5% of the additives in their product. This is regardless of how toxic the chemical is to human health including pregnant and breast feeding women, babies and school children. Even though the labelling can state that there are no added artificial flavouring or colouring agents used!

This a huge list of toxic agents put into cosmetics. Why don't you get one of your products at home and have a look at the ingredients, I think you may be surprised.. 

Toxic Ingredients in Cosmetics Skin Care and Personal Care Products

Did you know this?

“For 20 years scientists radically opposed the use of aspartam in food due to its proven toxicity. Would you believe that the US manufactures Searle Laboratory proved in their own two-year study that aspartam was clearly linked to brain tumours in rats! In 1981 the US Food and Drug Commissioner Arthur Hull Hayes rallied to have it approved. Then one month later resigned to become a senior executive that managed Searle's accounts!!!!!

...apartam toxicity is now widespread in not just diet drinks, but other foods such as sausages, rice crackers, yogurts, snacks, desserts, mints, cordials, juices, instant coffee drinks, vitamins and medicines.

Over 75% of reported adverse reactions are linked to aspartam. Aspartam's "crime to fame" is linked with adverse side effects such as depression, mood swings, rages and headaches. These symptoms quickly subsided when aspartam was removed from the diet. In 2005 cancer research at the Ramizzini Institute in Italy published alarming results, confirming that aspartam caused lymphomas and leukaemia in female animals.

... other artificial sweeteners such as Saccharin, Acesulphame Potassium, Sucralose and Cyclamates which may appear on labels as Nutrasweet, Equal, Splenda or Sweet and Low are definitely suspect to good health.

There is also conflicting information about the safety of the new breed of "natural" artificial sweeteners such as Sorbitol (420), Mannitol (421), Isomalt (953), Maltitol (956), Lactitol (966), Xylitol (967), Erythritol (968) and Polydextrose (1200)..”.

Excerpt: www.nutritionandyou.com.au

WASHINGTON, July 17 – It’s a toxic pesticide that may be in your child’s toothpaste and toys, in your bed, kitchen counters and clothing. It’s supposed to kill germs, but is really no better than soap and water, and could harm your baby’s health.

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent used in many everyday products including liquid hand soap, dishwashing detergent, mattresses, shower curtains, bathtubs, and cutting boards. Federal agencies continue to allow its use despite the fact it may be toxic to the developing fetus and child, and pollutes mothers’ breast milk.

For a study released today, Environmental Working Group (EWG) scientists dug through industry documents, independent studies, and government data, and found no evidence that triclosan’s widespread use gives consumers the increased germ-killing benefits the products promise. Still, it is touted by leading brands like Softsoap, Dial, and Bath & Body Works, and listed on the labels of almost half of 259 hand soaps. EWG’s investigation is at www.ewg.org/reports/triclosan.

“A toxic pesticide linked to serious health problems should not be in our soap or toothpaste,” said EWG Staff Scientist Rebecca Sutton, PhD. “It’s time to ban triclosan from all personal care and household products.”

Triclosan has been linked to cancer in lab animals, has been targeted for removal from some stores in Europe for its health and environmental risks, and the American Medical Association recommends against its use in the home. It is also linked to liver and inhalation toxicity, and low levels of triclosan may disrupt the thyroid hormone system. Thyroid hormones are essential to proper growth and development, particularly for brain growth in utero and during infancy.

Triclosan breaks down into very toxic chemicals, including a form of dioxin; methyl triclosan, which is acutely toxic to aquatic life; and chloroform, a carcinogen formed when triclosan mixes with tap water that has been treated with chlorine. Scientists surveyed 85 U.S. rivers and streams, and found traces of triclosan in more than half.

As required by law, the Environmental Protection Agency is now reviewing health and safety data for triclosan. This is a critical process that could lead to the stringent health and environmental protections needed to reduce exposure to this toxic antimicrobial agent. However, EPA’s draft risk assessment of triclosan raises serious concerns: Plagued with data gaps and inconsistencies, the assessment was crafted to support the status quo.

“The AMA is concerned that antibacterial agents like triclosan may contribute to the serious problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Until these agents have been proven to be beneficial, we should remove them from consumer products” said Dr. Anila Jacob, MD, EWG Senior Scientist. "The widespread use of this pesticide without proven benefit exposes people and the environment to a potentially toxic chemical."

EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment.

Source: http://www.ewg.org/node/26885