Now you’re thinking no one in there right mind would do this right. I mean who goes to the store and actually tries to buy a skin care product that will cause their body damage. Actually most people these days do exactly that, unknowingly of course as they aren’t aware of the toxic ingredients in the product of their choice. What people need to start realizing is that not every company that throws the word natural on their product really cares about the ingredients being truly natural. If you do a little research on the ingredients in skin care the information is alarming as you find that many skin care products contain carcinogens and other toxic ingredients.

Diethanolamine. A colourless liquid used as a solvent and pH adjuster. Also used as a lather agent in skin- can hair-care products when coupled with a foaming or detergent cleansing agent. In 1999 the National Toxicology Program (NTP) completed a study that found an association between cancer and tumours in laboratory animals and the application of diethanolamine (DEA) and certain DEA-related ingredients to their skin (Source: Study #TR-478, Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Diethanolamine, CAS No. 111-42-2, July 1999—http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/ and Food Chemistry and Toxicology, January 2004, pages 127-134).

Nitrosamines. Can be formed in cosmetics when amines (such as DEA, MEA, or TEA) are combined with a formaldehyde-releasing preservative (bronopol or quaternium-15, among others). Nitrosamines are known for their carcinogenic properties. There is controversy as to whether or not this poses a real problem for skin given the small concentrations that are used in cosmetics and the question of whether nitrosamines can even penetrate skin.

TEA.triethanolamine. Used in cosmetics as a pH balancer. Like all amines, it has the potential for creating nitrosamines. There is controversy as to whether this poses a real problem for skin, given the low concentrations used in cosmetics and the theory that nitrosamines can’t penetrate skin.

TEA-lauryl sulfate. While there is abundant research showing sodium lauryl sulfate to be a sensitizing cleansing agent, there is no similar supporting research for TEA-lauryl sulfate.

Mineral Oil (paraffinum liquidum) and petrolatum- prpyl-, methyl-, eth-, or -ene: Mineral oils are made from crude petrol. They are used as an emollient and carrying agent in cosmetics as well as baby (Baby Oil) and sorbelene cream. They can be dangerous if ingested and should not be used on babies as they are thought to be carcinogenic. Mineral oils may suffocate the skin by creating an oil film that keeps the skin from taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. It is also a major environmental pollutant. Mineral oil also causes a Catch-22 situation as far as moisture in the skin is concerned. When applying the product it may appear to relieve the skin’s dryness, but in actual fact it is causing the skin to become dry, so more product is required to keep the skin ‘moist’. Also, if you are a lady who has acrylic nail extensions and have a lot of trouble with ‘lifting’ of the acrylic, it has most likely been caused by the mineral oil in your hand creme , hair wax, body lotion or face cream. Check your products for liquid paraffin, petrolatum or mineral oil and get rid of them! This is a common ingredient in skin care products as it is a cheap ingredient.

Parabens (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben): These are the most widely used preservatives. These chemicals cause allergic reactions and rashes in quite a high percentage of users and should be avoided, especially by children who are particularly prone to developing atopic eczema. The parabens are added to products as they inhibit microbial growth and extend the shelf life of products. They are known to be toxic in both liquid and powder form, but they are still widely used in cosmetics. Parabens also mimic oestrogen, and this is of particular concern to women as increased exposure to exogenous sources of oestrogen has been linked to increased risk of breast and uterine cancer. People exposed to these chemicals accumulate it in their bodies. It has also been shown that parabens perform their task of inhibiting enzymes so well that once they enter the bloodstream via the skin, they may continue to inhibit the body’s own enzymes, including those used for digestion, putting stress on the body’s natural digestive processes.

Propylene Glycol: A chemical solvent and humectant, it has been related to a variety of disorders from liver abnormalities, kidney damage and depression to allergic dermatitis and eczema. Propylene glycol is a petro chemical and it’s solvent use makes it one of the most widely used ingredients in skin care products. Petro-chemicals produce xeno-estrogens which can affect our reproductive areas, causing long term effects for women, such as hormonal imbalances leading to PMT, acne, fertility problems, pigmentation and osteoporosis. The propelyne glycol that we apply to our skins via cosmetics is also a substance used to de-ice aeroplanes and a common ingrediant in anti-freeze. Propylene Glycol goes by a variety of names such as 1,2-dihydroxypropane, 1,2-propanediol, methyl glycol and trimethyl glycol. Propylene glycol (along with other glycols and glycerol) is a humectant or humidifying and delivery ingredient used in cosmetics.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate & Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLES & SLS): One of the worst offenders in skin and hair care products, SLS can be found in shampoo, toothpaste, bubble gel, bubble bath, liquid soap wash and cleansers. Considered to be the commonest cause of eye irritation from shampoos, it also has a drying effect on the skin and is linked to immune system damage, skin allergies, mouth ulcers, cataracts, dandruff, impaired hair growth and hair loss. SLS can cause tissue damage to the eyes, liver, brain, heart and lungs. Consumers must be aware that many of the ‘natural’ skin care companies claim their products do not contain SLES or SLS but use equally harmful ingredients for the same purpose, such as ammonium lauryl sulphate.