What you put on your skin goes directly into your body. Indeed, human autopsy studies have shown that mineral oil widely permeates our internal organs; major moisturizer brands have been found to cause tumor formation in treated animals. All the more reason why we need healthy “food cosmetics” as alternatives to petroleum-derived body care products.
It boggles the imagination how most mass market body care products today are almost entirely composed of petroleum-derived chemicals, whose toxicity are thoroughly established. Take parabens as an example. These endocrine-disrupting, estrogen-like petrochemicals have been found at concentrations 1 million times higher than the estrogen (estradiol) levels naturally found in human breast tissue, leading to the highly concerning conclusion that human hormones are now being eclipsed by synthetic chemicals.
Here is a list of the top toxic cosmetic ingredients and why. Beware!
1. BHA and BHT
Both of these ingredients, mostly found in moisturizers, are suspected endocrine disruptors and may cause cancer.
Alternative: Burt’s Bee’s natural products
2. Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colors listed as “CI” followed by a five digit number
Many hair dyes contain these ingredients. They potentially cause cancer and are often contaminated with heavy toxins and metals that can be damaging to the brain.
Alternative: Herbatint Non-Toxic Hair Dyes
3. DEA-related ingredients
Love Black America Web? Get more! Join the Black America Web Newsletter
We care about your data. See our privacy policy.
DEA is often found in creamy and soapy products such as shampoo and conditioners. This harmful substance can react to other ingredients and form nitrosamines, which may cause cancer.
Alternative: Organix Shampoo and Conditioner
4. Dibutyl phthalate
This ingredient helps give products like nail polish their plastic-like shine. It is suspected to be a endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant.
Alternative: Scotch Natural Non-toxic eco-friendly nail lacquer
5. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Look for DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine and quarternium-15. Used in a variety of cosmetics, these slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.
6. Parabens
Used in a variety of cosmetics as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disrupters and may interfere with male reproductive functions.
7. Parfum (a.k.a. “fragrance”)
The fragrance found in many products contain this ingredient— even in some products marketed as “unscented.” The fragrance ingredient more commonly can trigger allergies and asthma. Some are linked to cancer and neurotoxicity.
Alternative:Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Fragrance
8. PEG compounds
Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are used in many cosmetic cream bases. They can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer.
