One of the ways I work with my patients is by helping them reduce the toxic burden on their bodies.  This means we support their liver in removing toxins in their system as well as lower the amount of toxins going into their body.  A simple way to avoid toxins is by using non-toxic skin care products.  After all, our skin is our largest organ, what we apply topically does get absorbed into our bodies.

Many skin care products are loaded with ingredients that harm our skin and bodies over time.  Read on to educate yourself on a few harmful ingredients you should avoid.  And forward this blog post on to your family and loved ones.

Mineral Oil

• May also be listed as: liquid paraffin, paraffin wax, petrolatum
• Found commonly in lotions, creams and baby care products, this ingredient is a byproduct of distillation of gasoline.  Should you be putting this on your skin?  It is a cheap ingredient to purchase and therefore it is used liberally in skin care products!  When applied topically to the skin it is difficult to absorb, it clogs pores and slows the skin’s ability to breathe and eliminate toxins.  Mineral oil is foreign to the human body and once it is absorbed it has to be broken down by liver.

Dioxane

• May also be listed as: 1 4-dioxane.  Also a by-product of products listed as – myreth, oleth, laureth (sodium laureth), PEG, polyethylene glycol, polyxynylene, oxynol.
• Readily absorbed into the skin, this chemical is ‘known to the State of California to cause cancer’.  This is another cheap ingredient that provides mildness to harsh detergents.  It is also often found in products that claim that they are ‘natural’ or ‘organic’, so read labels carefully!

Fragrances

• Ever wonder what they mean by ‘fragrance’ on an ingredient label?  We all like to smell nice but at what expense?  Many fragrances are produced from ingredients that are known to be harmful to our bodies.  When an ingredient is listed as ‘fragrance’ it is composed of artificial ingredients and harsh alcohols.  If you enjoy scented products look for products that are scented with essential oils.  Essential oils nourish your skin while providing a natural scent.  ‘Fragrances’ can be especially irritating if you have dry or sensitive skin.

Parabens

• May be listed as: methy, propyl, butyl and ethyl paraben
• Found in a variety of personal care products parabens are used as a preservative to give products a long shelf life.  Parabens can mimic estrogen and therefore can interfere with the body’s endocrine system and also play a role in the development of breast cancer.

Polyethylene (PEG) compounds

• May be listed as: PEG
• This harsh petroleum product is found in oven cleaners!  And when used on skin over time, it can cause premature aging.  PEG compounds are used as surfactants, cleaning agents and humectants in a variety of skin care products.

DMDM Hydantoin

• This preservative emits formaldehyde, which the US National Toxicology Program and Environmental Protection Agency has described as a “known to be a human carcinogen”.  Formaldehyde hampers immune-system function and the use of it has been banned in personal care products in many other nations.  The following ingredients break down and release formaldehyde: diazolidinyl urea (or 3-diol diazolidinyl urea) 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1 (or bronopol) DMDM hydantoin.

Triclosan

• A versatile antibacterial, Triclosan is often used in hand sanitizers, body washes, antiperspirants, deodorants and toothpastes but this ingredient can disrupt thyroid and reproductive function.

Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate

• A petroleum derivative, this ingredient gives soaps and body washes their suds.  Sodium lauryl sulfate dissolves the oils on your skin, causing a drying effect and altering skin chemistry which allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper.  The Journal of the American College of Toxicology declares this ingredient as a mutagen – which means it can change the genetic material found inside our cells and also damage our immune system.

Pthalates

• May be listed as: Dibutylphthalate and diethylphthalate (DBP, DEP, also butyl ester)
• Pthalates help lotions absorb into the skin.  The EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services classify phthalates as potential or probable human carcinogen.  This chemical has been associated with many severe allergic reactions and can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and the reproductive system.    DBP is used in cosmetics, toys, flooring, adhesives, wallpaper, furniture, raincoats and shower curtains.

Overwhelmed?  Why are these chemicals still used in personal care products if they are so harmful?  In the United States there is no overseeing authority that scrutinizes the ingredients in or the safety of personal care products.  The European Union Cosmetics Derivative bans many carcinogens and toxins from personal care products and the United States has yet to meet these standards.  Educate yourself and protect yourself from the contamination of our bodies by these chemicals of concern.  For starters – support the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and download the Environmental Working Group’s – Shopper’s Guide to Safe Cosmetics.  Educate and empower yourself!