Natural Cosmetics

Cosmetic Chemical List

Products without Chemicals

Every single day the majority of us innocently reach for that tub of moisturiser, that bottle of shampoo or conditioner or that can of deodorant that promises 24 hour protection.  We coat our nails in glossy colours, apply lipstick and dab perfume on to all the right places.  We look great, smell wonderful and feel we could take on the world.  All in the name of beauty.  But is this regime safe? Are we not too naive, considering we are becoming increasingly careful about what we consume on a daily basis, but then give very little or no thought to the chemical-laden products we soak up in the bath, massage into our skin or scrub our teeth with?  The truth of the matter is, that you would have most probably exposed yourself to over 200 chemicals before even stepping out of the front door!  Surely this can't be healthy?

The expanding list of synthetic ingredients manufacturers are adding to their products (even those labelled "natural") are turning even the most innocent looking beauty products into dangerous, toxic cocktails - ones that with sustained use could prove potentially deadly. Benzene, Coal tar, Phenylenediamine and even Formaldehyde - toxins which are transmitted into the bloodstream with every use - are just a few of the inexpensive chemicals added to provide things like fragrances and long shelf-life. Manufacturers just love them! 

Fragrances:
 These can consist of literally hundreds of ingredients - most of which are  common human allergens and toxins harmful to the brain and nervous system (neurotoxins)

Alpha hydroxy acids:
These intensely chemical-based 'skin-peeling' products are designed to banish wrinkles and blemishes by stripping off the outer layer of skin.  Continued use of these increases your risk of permanent scarring from chemical burns and developing cancer.

Phthalates:
Present in nail polish, perfumes and other cosmetics, these toxins disrupt proper endocrine function and could be linked to birth defects.

Coal tar hair dyes:
Still widely used, despite health warnings linking them to immunosuppression and cancer.

 "Most of the products you use have chemicals that haven't been tested for safety at all...Most people assume that if you see something on the shelf, it's safe for you. The findings of our study really contradict that" states Dr. Tim Kropp, a toxicologist with the Environmental Working Group

More than 99% of all personal care products and cosmetics sold on the market have at least one or more ingredients that have not been assessed for safety. Ingredients suspected of causing allergic reactions, birth defects and even cancer.  A study, updated in 2007 by the Environmental Working Group titled "Skin Deep", detailed over 14,000 common, household name personal care products and almost 7,000 of their chemical ingredients.  86% of these contained ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction; 46% that could contribute to birth defects and over 44% that contained carcinogens.

For more details on the chemicals found in cosmetics, look at : Cosmetic Chemical List

With these points in mind it may be wise to take some simple steps in limiting your and your family's exposure to the toxins found in the products we use everyday.

• Scrutinise the labels!  Manufacturers are bound by law to list all ingredients used in the making of the product.  Be aware also, that just because it says "natural" on the bottle, it's not necessarily "natural" on the inside!

• Opt for aromatherapy-scented body oils opposed to the synthetic perfumes available.  This will offer the double benefit of moisturisation.

• Choose herbal toothpastes and those that contain silica as a natural whitener.

• Use aluminium-free deodorants.

• Buy bath products containing palm extract instead of sodium lauryl sulphate.