PEG, phtalates, parabens, BHA, fragrance : Do these ingredients mean anything to you?
Woman, man, child or baby, all of us are concerned because we find them everywhere: in deodorants, shampoos, moisturizing creams, domestic cleaning products, toys, food, etc. Without being conscious of it, we absorb these chemicals daily: we swallow them, inhale them and absorb them through the skin, the largest organ of the body.
Approximately 82 000 ingredients compose our personal care products, among which approximately 10 000 arise from chemical industries. Chemical ingredients do not necesarilly mean toxic, but a portion of these chemical substances are toxic and have been pointed out by several scientists. They are considered as endocrine disruptors: substances which block, mime, disrupt the action of hormones by disturbing the normal operation of the hormonal system. Some organizations like the David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Working Group and even the World Health Organization are increasingly interested in these toxic ingredients.
“Certain links exist between the exposure of endocrine disruptor chemicals and several health problems “, according to the study, published in February 2013, of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and World Health Organization (WHO).
Long-term effect on the health and the environment?
The quantity of any particular chemical of concern in a single application of a single cosmetic is, in most cases, very small. Yet it is not uncommon for a given cosmetic to contain multiple ingredients linked to health and environmental hazards, and most of us regularly use several products every day. These individual small doses add up, combined with other daily exposures to toxic substances in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the manufactured products we use at work and at home.
(David Suzuki – What’s inside that counts report)
Here is the list of 12 toxic ingredients usually found in cosmetics to be avoided:
BHA and BHT: these additives are used as preservatives. Present in lipsticks, lotions, moisturizing products or industrial food.
http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—bha-and-bhti/
Parabens: preservative agents (David Suzuki Foundation considers that 75% to 90 % of cosmetics contain parabens). Present in shampoo, revitalizing lotion, facial cleanser, exfoliant, it is considered to be a health and environemental hasard.
http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—parabens/
PEG: substance which increases the penetration of the products, finds itself in the bases of cosmetic creams, shampoos, liquid soaps, bases for foam bath.
Petrolatum: mineral oil, by-products of the petroleum industry, often found in moisturizing creams, lip balms, lipstick, etc.
http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—petrolatum/
Laurylsulfate of sodium: foaming ingredient of choice, this additive is easily absorbed by the skin and is a well known skin irritant.You can find it in shampoo, toothpastes, soap, foaming gel, etc.
Liberator of formaldehyde: use as a preservative in a wide range of products. Found under the names DMDM HYDANTOIN, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, METHENAMINE and QUARTERNIUM-15.
Cyclomethicone and siloxanes: added to cosmetics as emollient, softener and smoothing agent these ingredients are used in hydrating products, make-up and hair products.
http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—siloxanes/
P-Phenylenediamine (Coal tar dyes) : coloring agent often indentified under the name IC followed by 5 digit numbers or under a number of colors. By-product of the petroleum industry, we find it in the capillary dyes or lipstick.
http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—coal-tar-dyes/
DEA, MEA and TEA: substances used as emulsifier and foaming agents, you can find them in different cosmetics like shampoo, body cleaning products as well as make-up.
http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—dea/
Fragrances / parfum: this complexe mixture of chemicals, present in more than 80 % of cosmetics on the market, can also be found in fragrance-free products. This irritant ingredient is composed of 3000 chemicals and contains phtalate.
http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/fragrance-and-parfum/
Phtalate: plasticizer ingredient, the phtalate is everywhere: in your shower curtain, your children’s toys, in your cosmetics (nail polish, perfume, moisturizing products, etc.). It is suspected to be a endocrinian disruptor and 6 phthalates are now prohibited in children’s toys but not regulated anywhere else.
http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—dibutyl-phthalate/
Triclosan: preservative and antibacterial ingredient, this additive can be found in a wide range of products on the market: toothpaste, soap, hand disinfectants, tooth whitening, shaving cream, deodorant / antiperpirant. This hard to biodegrade ingredient may contribute to antibiotic resistant bacteria.
http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—triclosan/
All these unpronounceable names are very difficult to remember! Here is a link to a pocket shoppers guide that will help you to make an informed choice.
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/downloads/2010/whats-inside-shoppers-guide.pdf
Want to know more about this subject?
Here are some reading suggestions and information sources which were used for publishing this article:
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/2011/04/12/why-this-matters/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2013/hormone_disrupting_20130219/fr/
http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/
http://environmentaldefence.ca/issues
http://www.who.int/ipcs/publications/new_issues/endocrine_disruptors/en/
Interview
Lise Parent
Professeurechercheure en environnement à la TELUQ
Doctorat en écotoxicologie
Maitrise en environnement
Chercheur CINBIOSE: Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur le bienêtre, la santé, la société et l’environnement
Membre des IRSC (Institut de recherche en santé du Canada)
Here are some suggestions of articles and informations on the subject:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/fr/publications/telechargements/2010/DSF_cosmetics_French.pdf
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/fr/champsdintervention/sante/enjeuxetrecherche/substances-toxiques/les12ingredientsaeviterdanslesproduitsdebeaute/
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/2011/04/12/whythismatters/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2013/hormone_disrupting_20130219/fr/
http://www.cremtl.qc.ca/publication/entrevues/2013/entrevueliseparentreseaufemmesen-environnementrqfesabotage
http://www.safecosmetics.org/getthefacts/chemicalsofconcern/
http://environmentaldefence.ca/issues
http://www.who.int/ipcs/publications/new_issues/endocrine_disruptors/en/
Gillian Deacon – There’s lead in your lipstick – Stacy Malkan Not just a pretty face The ugly side of the beauty industry.