The Dirt on Common Cosmetic Ingredients

By the Editor | April 4, 2011

Have you given up trying to figure out what causes your skin allergies?

Unbeknownst to many consumers, we could be spending good money on products that we think are good for our skin but are actually causing allergic reactions, dermatitis, premature aging, and worse.  The following are the cosmetic industry’s dirtiest ingredients, rated according to Environmental Working Group’s cosmetics database Skin Deep, which references the American Cancer Society and other reliable organizations.  Skin Deep rates specific ingredients on a hazard scale from 0 to 10, the latter being the most harmful.

Petrochemicals

Petrolatum (petroleum jelly) rates a low 2 on Skin Deep’s hazard scale but butyl alcohol goes up to 4 due to its properties as an eyes and lungs irritant as well as being potentially toxic to human organs.  The most immediate concern to consumers may be that mineral oil does not allow pores to breathe, often causing dermatitis or acne when applied to sensitive areas of the skin like the face.

Sodium laureth/lauryl sulfates

SLS is today’s most common cleansing agent and rates between a 4 and 3, respective to the two aforementioned types.  Although preferable to plain old soap when applied to the face according to beauty experts, SLS is a common eyes, skin, and lungs irritant.  Some cosmetics users find that when they stop using products with SLS high on the ingredients list, their skin allergies go away.

Moreover, SLS has been seen causing brain, nervous system, and behavioral effects as well as mutation in some animal studies at moderate doses.  Environment Canada Domestic Substance List classifies SLS as an environmental toxin, to boot.

Formaldehyde and paraben preservatives

Parabens are added to cosmetics to preserve the stuff while they sit in our bathroom cabinets for months (years?) on end.  They tend to rate higher on the hazard scale (between 5 and 6) and have been seen in many studies to cause endocrine disruption due especially in unborn children in pregnant mothers and infants.  In fact, parabens are sometimes referred to as “gender benders.”  They also have been known to cause allergic skin reactions in some consumers.

Propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol (PEGs and PGs)

Rating anywhere from 4 to 7 on the hazard scale, PEGs and PGs are known to cause skin, eyes, and lungs irritations in some consumers.  They are ecotoxic and in many instances are contaminated with more harmful chemicals like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.

Synthetic dyes and fragrances

Synthetic dyes tend to rate lower on the hazard scale but many studies show that people with unknown causes of allergies stop getting them when they desist use of cosmetic products with dyes as well as hand soap, dish detergent, laundry detergent, and fabric softener.

As for fragrances, companies don’t have to inform the public the ingredients to their trademark scent.  This means they can use practically anything they want—even skin irritants.  Skin Deep rates perfumes and colognes like Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker and Calvin Klein’s Eternity for Men at 10, the highest on the hazard scale, raising genuine concerns about the product’s contribution to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies, endocrine disruption, bioaccumulation, and environmental toxicity.

 

Bio: Alexis Bonari is currently a resident blogger at College Scholarships, where recently she’s been researching scholarships for math students as well as army scholarship programs. Whenever this WAHM gets some free time she enjoys doing yoga, cooking with the freshest organic in-season fare, and practicing the art of coupon clipping.

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Topics: Anti Aging, Natural Skin Care, Skin Care Ingredients, Skin Care Products, Skin Care Tips, Skin MD Blog, Skin Problems, Skin Science | No Comments »

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