Facts About Toxic Chemicals Found in Branded Lotions and Cream

Harmful Ingredient Glossary

Toxic Name Brand Lotions

It is more harmful to put many of the following ingredients on our skin than it is to eat them? I was shocked to hear that. What I continued to learn is- if they don't coat our skin like plastic, preventing the skin from properly regenerating- they are causing anything from minor irritation to a variety of dermal diseases. these poisons and toxins are absorbed directly into our body and blood stream and stored in our fat tissues, possibly becoming cancer, changing our DNA, causing us infertility, neurotoxicity or causing an array of other medical problems- some we don't even know about or understand yet.

Lotion Secrets' LOTIONS & CREAMS ARE FREE FROM ALL OF THESE TOXINS.

The following sources led me to much of this information: MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS, COSMETICSDATABASE.COM, COSMETICSINFO.ORG and PESTICIDEINFO.ORG. I got some of the following information for this section directly from an article by "The Green Guide written by Claire Gutierrez" and will use unmarked quotes to cite each of those passages. I will use asterisks to show the passages from a health report by the UK*, there are links at the end of the glossary. There are a few other references for this section which I will name individually. *Asterisks and "quotes as well as a color change will be used to reference someone else's work. FYI- carcinogen means 'cancer causing', in case you didn't know.

Change takes time. Unless something is causing immediate danger, I don't think throwing away your entire bathroom supply of cosmetics is necessary for an adult who has been using them for years. And even when you run out and slowly start switching to less toxic alternatives, there will still be those certain things a girl, or boy, just can't live without. Moderation is the key to life. Many of these ingredients are only harmful if repeatedly used over extended periods of time. I hope you find this page useful.

"Your skin is designed to protect you from countless insults: from air pollution to murky lake water, from dirty gasoline-pump handles to staph. Skin cells provide a physical barrier, sort of like bricks and mortar, to keep the bad stuff out -- most of the time, says Francesca J. Fusco, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "The cells aren't as tightly packed as real bricks, though, which means things can squeeze by and penetrate." That's good news if you want, say, an anti aging wrinkle cream to wage war against your crow's feet or an anti-itch product to tackle that exercise-induced rash on your inner thighs. Bad news when strong chemicals meet sensitive or thin skin, cause an allergic reaction, or dangerously flood yourbloodstream." Source: cnn.com/health

Alkyloamides- Thickening agents, emollients and emulsifiers in lotion.
1. DEA – diethanolamides
2. MEA – monoethanolamides
3. TEA - triethanolamides
4. MIPA – monoisopropanolamides
5. PEG or ethoxylated alkyloamides
They are manufactured by using fatty acids as the starting material. Not considered toxic, but canbecome contaminated with nitrosamines. ' Nitrosamines are considered cancer-causing. Other chemicals that can cause nitrosamine contamination are: Cocoyl Sarcosine, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Hydrolysed Animal Protein, Lauryl Sarcosine, Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, etc, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate.'*
Aluminum - Metallic element used in antiperspirants and antiseptics. Certain scientists have established links between aluminum and breast cancer. It's use in antiperspirants blocks the pores of the skin, preventing the toxins we already have from being excreted in that area. The toxins then go to the closest fat reserve: the breasts or even the brain. Some suspicions have been equally raised about it's association with Alzheimers. For some this is a hard habit to break. Tom's natural deoderant works surprisingly well, better than other deoderants. It also heals and soothes under the arms. I like the apricot scent. They also carry unscented. It's a little over $4 per stick. One stick lasts a long time. A few dollars more a month for our health is definately worth it. Arm & Hammer aluminum and paraben free deoderant also works well. It has a nice citric scent and a reasonable price. If you sweat alot, just apply twice a day. They don't leave a heavy film like antiperspirants. Please consider avoiding aluminum as much as possible. Only wear antiperspirant when absolutely necessary and avoid other products containing aluminum all together, like lotion. You may see it listed as Magnesium Aluminum Silicateor another aluminum compound . Aluminum compounds are known to be neurotoxic to humans
Alcohol - Alcohol is the natural fermentation of sugar but should only be considered for topical use on small areas of the skin infrequently for only a handful of reasons. Otherwise, 'it strips our skin's natural acid mantle opening it up and leaving it vulnerable to bacteria, molds, viruses, carcinogens and other environmental toxins. It also severely dries and ages the skin and can be an allergen or irritant to many. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative. It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin.'*
Aminomethyl Propanol - A buffering pH adjuster. This ingredient is considered mildly toxic. There are federal restrictions on the amount that can be used in cosmetics. There are reports of neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, endocrine distruption, ecotoxicity. It may contain harmful impurities. If nitrosamine compounds are present because of nitrosating agents, this ingredient is considered a carcinogenic, or cancer causing. (It is impossible for a comsumer to know whether nitrosamine compounds are present unless they get the product tested.)
Animal Testing and Products - "Neither the FDA nor the US Consumer Product Safety Commission requires animal testing, and with viable alternatives such as in vitro and computer modeling, there is no need for animal testing to continue." Look for "cruelty free" labels or "no animal testing" labels, though this isn't a guarantee since there is no agency to regulate what companies put on labels.

I also always use pure vegetable products. Be careful of Glycerine. It can be manufactured naturally or synthetically. Even natural glycerine can be made from lard- animal fat. We wouldn't know what that animal was fed or if it was given any hormones. These hormones transfer to us and cause an array of problems. Look for 100% organic vegetable glycerine if you have to use it. (Glycerine makes homemade lotion very greasy though) Also, some animal fat cells, likeCollagen, are too large to pass through our skin and will just sit on top, preventing our skin from breathing and regenerating properly. And many animal products contain pesticides. Also look out for Stearoxytrimethylsilane. It is either fat from cows or sheep. Or it's from dogs or cats euthanized in animal shelters, etc. It's often a fatty substance taken from the stomachs of pigs. Can be harsh, irritating- especially on the skin. Used in cosmetics, soaps, lubricants, candles, hair spray, conditioners, deodorants, creams, chewing gum, food flavoring. Cholesterol is also an animal product in over the counter skin care products that may contain fat cells too large to pass through our skin, just like the cells are too large in our bodies and clogs our arteries? Have you ever seen "Fight Club"? What if the glycerine or cholesterol they are using is from human fat from liposuction clinics? If they don't label what it is, we have no way of knowing where it came from. Gelatin is also an animal product, that some people are seriously allergic to. It is a biproduct of boiling bones and joints of whatever animal is available. Elastin is another animal product. It is a protein in connective tissue that they extract from different animals and give to us.

My problem is that I like my skin. I like my genes. I don't know who these animals are, what they are eating, what hormones or chemicals they are getting and what kind of genes they have. I don't like them in my lotion. I eat them sometimes. But that is different then applying their fat cells directly onto my skin and into my system that way with all of these chemical doorways, also in the lotions and creams helping them get deeper inside.

Borax - Someone out there decided that borax was safe and natural to use in skin care products to whiten products and prolong their shelf life. This is not true. Just because borax is a naturally occurring mineral made of boron, sodium, oxygen and water, does not mean it is safe. What's disturbing is how often it is used in baby products and how especially harmful it is for babies. It can be very irritating to sensitive skin.

It is usually considered an organic solution because borax is mined from deposits. Organic does not guarantee it's safety. Borax can also be chemically produced very inexpensively. Though this chemical compound does have a pure state, it is harder to find in organic form. Whether organic or non-organic, borax is for cleaning and pest control only. Borax is toxic and has been linked to cancer, kidney problems, reproductive difficulties and genetic birth defects in any use. Even organic borax is toxic when ingested or applied to the skin. It will also bleach skin over time and is very irritating to say the least. Used once or twice to kill lice may be necessary. Compared to store-bought lice treatment, an organic borax mixture may be less harmful in this rare circumstance. Adults use at your own risk. Keep away from eyes and skin abrasions. Borax is especially toxic to babies. Do not ever have borax near children, pets or food. Borax can be used as a pesticide in our home or herbicide in our garden or as an environmentally friendlier cleaner than most. As with any cleaning agent, pesticide or herbicide- apply responsibility and caution when using. Rinse borax thoroughly off of clothes and surfaces before coming in contact with them.

Borax-Chemical Formula: Na2B4O7

Synonyms
Sodium borate decahydrate,
Sodium tetraborate decahydrate,
Sodium biborate,
Sodium pyroborate .

Uses:
Borax is a good buffer, helping to keep the acidity or alkalinity of a solution stable.
Borax is used safely in laundry detergents, cleaning agents, weed control, pesticides and bleaches when rinsed off and kept away from food, children and pets. It releases hydrogen peroxide when it reacts with water. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a bleach, and this action is aided by the alkaline solution also produced by the reaction. The boron (along with the oxygen and salt) in a borax solution helps to disinfect by killing bacteria and fungi. Do not inhale the powder. Do not apply to skin. Do not get near eyes

Butylated hydroxianisole (BHA)/Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)- "Synthetic antioxidant – avoid - BHT is a suspected human carcinogen. Animal studies showed BHA & BHT to cause metabolic stress, depression of growth rate, loss of weight, damage to the liver, baldness & fetal abnormalities. BHA & BHT are suspected causes of hyperactivity and behavioral disturbances in children. BHA & BHT both act as a synthetic oestrogen or xeno-oestrogen. Causes allergic contact dermatitis. Is a skin & eye irritant and slowly corrodes metals. Up to 13% of the BHT is absorbed through the skin"Source:http://www.earthtobody.ca
Ceteareths - Potentially contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other significant health concerns. Classified as a Penetration Enhancer (not good in lotion) which alters the skin structure allowing chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin, increasing the amount of toxins that reach the bloodstream. This is not a good chemical to have in a lotion full of toxins. Also, based on the limited data on Ceteareths and the extensive data on chemically related ingredients, these ingredients should not be used on damaged skin. Much more studies need to be conducted on this ingredient before we use it any further.
Color - (Natural colors are prettier anyway) "FD&C Blue 1 and FD&C Green 3 are carcinogenic, andFD&C Red 33, FD&C Yellow 5, and FC&C Yellow 6 have been shown to cause cancer when applied to the skin. Some artificial coal-tar colors contain heavy-metal impurities, including arsenic and lead, which are carcinogenic (and toxic in other ways as well). Since moisturizers lie on large areas of the skin for extended periods of time, exposures are increased." Crayons contain toxins. Food coloringcontains paraben preservatives. Remember, it is less harmful to eat the paraben preservative than it is to put it on our skin. Berries and flower petals make the best, natural colorants. Teas can be very colorful as well.
Disodium EDTA (and it's salts) - Basically what I got from researching this ingredient is that it is toxic if you inhale it or eat it or it is absorbed into your system. So basically, stay away from products that contain it in a spray or powder and stay away from it in a lotion or cream. This toxin is cytotoxic and weakly genotoxic, but not carcinogenic. This has also shown to be a reproductive toxin.
Distearyldimonium Chloride- Quaternary ammonium salt that is toxic to the environment. It is also harmful to the eyes of humans and animals, including water animals. It can be an irritant to eyes, skin and lungs but the most serious danger is to the eyes.
Essential oil warning -When making skin care products, there are certain essential oils that should be avoided during pregnancy because their concentrated aroma has caused blood thinning and uterine cramps and contractions:

Basil, Cedar wood, Cinnamon, Clary sage (ok during labor), Clove, Cypress (ok after 5 months), Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine (ok during labor), Juniper, Lemongrass, Myrrh, Parsley, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Rose (ok during labor), Rosemary, Sweet marjoram, and Thyme.

These essential oils should be avoided if you are prone to getting seizures:

Eucalyptus, Fennel, Hyssop, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Sage, Savin, Tansy, Thuja, Turpentine and Wormwood

Please keep essential oils away from children and pets.

Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer- Toxic to humans, including carcinogenic, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and acute toxicity.
Farnesol - May cause skin irritation according to the material data safety sheet. It should not be used by people with perfume allergies. It is a natural- organic compound which is a sesquiterpene alcohol found as a colorless liquid.
Fragrance - "Phthalates, a family of chemical plasticizers that are used in personal care products to moisturize skin and as a solvent, are almost synonymous with fragrance. Phthalates have been shown to cause birth defects, reproductive impairments, and liver damage in lab animals." In most fragrances there are over 5000 toxins and irritants causing our bodies an array of problems. Headaches, dizziness, nausea and respiratory problems are the most common. Essential oils are the best choice when it comes to making lotions and creams smell good- second to non-toxic, non-petro based fragrance oils. I use both. My labels say "99% all natural". I try to get 100% pure essential oils but sometimes I cannot find the list of ingredients on the bottle. There also may be a few drops of non-toxic fragrance oil in the mix. There is never more than 1% fragrance in my lotions and creams, typically less, about .25%. I prefer a mild scent. This is why cosmetics only list "fragrance" instead of what the fragrance is I bet: according to the Healthreport/uk web site: "Toxic gender bending chemical used as a plasticizer in food wraps and many pliable plastics and containers. Have been linked to development problems in the male genitals of humans and rats. Also used in hair sprays and some cosmetics including nail varnishes from where it is readily absorbed into the system. All 289 people in a recent test for body load of chemicals tested positive for phthalates. Phthalates are implicated with low sperm counts and also causing sexual abnormalities and deformities." An in depth article on phthalates can be found therewww.health-report.co.uk.
Glyceryl Oleate- Toxic to humans, including carcinogenic, reproductive and developmentally toxic, neurotoxic, and acute toxicity. It is also an environmental toxin. Toxic to aquatic animals.
Glycols - Propylene glycol is considered safe and unsafe by just as many credible people. I don't mark propylene glycol red when listing the harmful ingredients in name brand lotions. The other glycols however are recognized as more toxic "Derived from hydrocarbons, glycols are often used as humectants in moisturizers. The glycol family includes:

propylene glycol;
glycerin;
ethylene glycol;
carbitol;
diethylene glycol.

The FDA warns that glycols can cause adverse reactions in users. A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients warns that "ethylene glycol, carbitol, and diethylene glycol are hazardous in concentrations exceeding 5%, even in preparations for use on small areas of the body" and advises that in sunscreens and lotions, which are applied all over the body, they not be used at all. Glycol ethers are often used as solvents in cosmetics. Some glycols can affect the reproductive system or cause birth defects, and overexposure can result in kidney damage and liver abnormalities. Glycols may also cause contact dermatitis. Avoid the following: EGPE, EGME, EGEE, DEGBE, PGME, DPGME; and those with methyl in their names."

Lanolin - Though lanolin itself is natural and non-toxic, derived from the wool of sheep, any chemical used on the sheep or wool contaminates the lanolin. 'The majority of lanolin used in cosmetics is highly contaminated with organo-phosphate pesticides and insecticides.'* If you wanted to use lanolin in your own projects, make sure to order it from an organic farm that promises it doesn't use these chemicals and pesticides on their animals. And beware- most humans seem to develop an allergy to lanolin products when applied to the skin repeatedly. Especially when used in lotions and creams that don't wash off. This is especially true with the use of lanolin alcohol.
Laureths- Almost always contaminated by the carcinogens 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide. Very dangerous.
Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone - Both are used as antimicrobials but have shown to be skin irritants. More importantly, there is great concern that these chemicals have potential dangerous neuro-toxic effects on humans. More testing is needed. Until testing is finished and safety is certain, I personally don't think using a skin care product with either of these ingredients in it, which have such a big potential health risk, is necessary.
Natural Preservatives - Please read the next page on natural preservatives. Those can be harmful as well if too concentrated or in the wrong combination.
Nut Oils - I personally don't make oils for sale that contain nut oil because there are so many people with nut allergies. Also, many pediatricians are recommending that children under 3 not be exposed to nuts or nut products as much as possible, so that they do not develop an allergy. Nut oils do make wonderful lotions and creams, so definitely indulge for your own creations! Common nut oils in lotions are macadamia and shea butter.
Oxybenzone- Organic compound used in sunscreens. Blocks UV-A rays. It comes from benzophenone which is known to attack DNA when illuminated therefore this ingredient should not be used in lotions and especially sun block. It can penetrate and photosensitize the skin. photo carcinogen.
Petro-products -"Also of concern are common moisturizers such as mineral oil, petrolatum andceresin (wax) (better known as Vaseline, petroleum jelly, or paraffin jelly). All are derived from petroleum, a non-renewable source. it is a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil." 'It coats the skin like plastic, clogging pores and preventing it from breathing, releasing toxins and regenerating properly resulting in premature aging and other minor to major skin conditions'*. Baby oil is pure mineral oil. Almost all feminine lubrication products, which are made to go inside of women, are petroleum based. (pure apricot oil makes a wonderful, safe lubricant) Petro-based products are also horrible for tattoos. They dull the color of the and contribute to scaring as tattoos are healing because they do not allow for proper cell regeneration. Isoparaffine is synthesized from petroleum products in Japan. They claim they found no skin irritation in their testing. I still don't like it.
Polyacrylamide - This ingredient is highly toxic. It is a possible carcinogen. Further study is needed. It is extremely irritating to the skin and respiratory system. It is environmentally toxic to the air, soil and water. It is neuro-toxic and genotoxic to humans. Toxic to animals and fish. OSHA has added a skin notation to its PEL for acrylamide, indicating that workplace dermal exposure should be controlled. It soaks into skin immediately. It has no business in lotion.
Polyethylene- (PEG) compounds. Petroleum product. Plastic coating that prevents regeneration and is associated with pre-mature aging.
Preservatives - "Preservatives used in skin care products ensure that the products do not become contaminated with bacteria, mold or yeast and to prevent rancidity from oxygen; however, consumers should note the choice of preservatives, since many can have adverse effects."

Parabens were created to be a chemical food preservatives. Parabens are a group of the alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and typically include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, and benzylparaben. They cause skin irritation in some people but are tolerated by the general public. Parabens are classified as toxic chemicals when applied to the skin, especially in lotions and creams, in other major countries. There is a debate that parabens may be linked to the development of breast cancer. *According to a study published in 2004 in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, parabens have been found in some tissue samples from human breast tumors. But so far the American Cancer Society will not support that this study alone means parabens are linked to breast cancer. Parabens are weakly estrogenic. Too much estrogen causes cancer in women and causes developmental problems in prepubescent boys. Some scientists say Parabens are linked to testicular cancer. This is a hot topic. But people really love there paraben preservatives. I personally find them irritating to my skin as well as a couple of my children's skin and just not worth the serious risk for us.

· Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate- Thought to possibly present risks to human reproduction and development by reducing fertility or reducing a chance for a healthy, full-term pregnancy. Suspected to be neuro-toxic Suspected to be gastrointestinal or liver toxic.

"Some preservatives release small amounts of formaldehyde, which the EPA classifies as a probable human carcinogen. Avoid the following ingredients, all of which contain formaldehyde, release formaldehyde, or break down into formaldehyde:bronopol (often listed as 2-brono-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol);diazolidinyl urea;DMDM hydantion;imidazolidinyl urea;quaternium 15." And a lot of people claim that Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate is all natural. It is not. It is a chemically altered amino acid preservative. It can break down into a formaldehyde. This product is very irritating to the skin for many people, and is always irritating to the eyes. Imidazolidinyl urea and DM hydantoine (Germall Plus, Germall II and Germal 115) are toxic. (I can't believe how many "homemade", "healthy" and even "natural" products list this amongst their ingredients). They have the loosening effect of formaldehyde. They are the main cause of eczema and contact dermatitis in skin care product preservatives (according to the American Academy of Dermatology). I found this on my quest for natural preservatives: "all natural, food-grade (paraben and toxin-free) preservative consisting of: Glucono Delta-Lactone, Sodium Benzoate and Calcium Gluconate. " Though these chemicals can be naturally occurring from fruits and trees and the like... that is not where they came from. These are synthetically made food preservatives that can really irritate the skin. They do irritate many people's skin when in lotions and creams. And they are very hard to work with. They can be very hazardous if inhaled or swallowed pure or if they get into the eyes or skin or any cuts. They can also be flammable. And they will make your product only about 90% natural. They are made for food. If you can tolerate it topically, I cannot find any toxic information about them. If anyone else can- please email me. I just don't like that people try labeling things "all natural" or "naturally occurring" when they are not. These preservatives don't irritate me personally. I do purchase and use skin care products that use them as preservatives as long as they are not misleading in calling them natural because I can't find anything bad about them yet. But I won't handle them myself in my own lotion making in pure form. I have small children in the house and customers with sensitive skin.

· Phenoxyethanol is linked to cancer and in high doses it is linked to organ damage, developmental defects, brain and nervous system effects and is a skin allergen and irritant. It is not supposed to be used on the face and there are other emerging concerns according to >cosmeticsdatabase.com <, one of my favorite web sites. If you ever have a question about an ingredient, this web site can tell you all the latest about it. This is an ingredient in a preservative called Optiphen Plus, which is sold to us homemade lotion makers. I hope no one uses too much of it or sells it to any of you!

Recycle - Recycle, Recycle, Recycle your bottles. Please. Glass is better, but I personally find plasticcontainers easier to manage than glass, especially with my lotion. I also have children and plastic is safer. We wash and re-use our plastic containers. They seem to last forever... hence the need to recycle. Plastics do not break down. They pollute our ground and water and release toxic chemicals into our air when heated. The production of new plastics is based on supply and demand. When it is time to dispose of them, our local trash company takes clean, plastic containers for recycling. Plastics can be very useful and even save lives. Moderation and re-use here are key.
Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment and Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment - I debated whether or not to add these to 'harmful ingredients'. These compounds have not been assessed for safety in cosmetics by the industry panel. However there is much evidence to suggest they are harmful lotion ingredients. they help penetrate the skin and bring everything else toxic in the lotion or the environment with them. Also, "Ferment" means fermentation... which is aging to the skin and, in combination with the metallic minerals zinc and magnesium, can be toxic.

Metal poisoning is serious. I would definitely be weary of any product using fermentation and metal, especially if that product opened a doorway directly into your body..

Silicone derived emollients - "Silicone emollients are occlusive - that is they coat the skin, trapping anything beneath it, and do not allow the skin to breathe (much like plastic wrap would do.) Recent studies have indicated that prolonged exposure of the skin to sweat, by occlusion, causes skin irritation. Some synthetic emollients are known tumor promoters and accumulate in the liver and lymph nodes. They are also non-biodegradable, causing negative environmental impact. Dimethicone,Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Cyclomethicone etc. are all silicone derived emollients. Silicone was and still is used as breast implants. Tens of thousands of women with breast implants have complained of debilitating symptoms. Anecdotal evidence indicates silicone to be toxic to the human body. For more detailed information on the dangers of silicone simply key "silicone toxicity" into the Google search engine." Source: Healthreport/uk
Sodium Hydroxide - "A powerful alkali used in industry for cleaning drains and pipe lines also used in oven cleaners. Workers exposed to steam containing sodium hydroxide have suffered lung damage and an increased risk of throat cancer. Used in toothpastes and as a pH adjuster in skin creams. Causes contact dermatitis and may sensitize individuals to other chemicals.

From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE. MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED. CAUSES BURNS TO ANY AREA OF CONTACT. REACTS WITH WATER, ACIDS AND OTHER MATERIALS

Skin Contact:
Corrosive! Contact with skin can cause irritation or severe burns and scarring with greater exposures.

Chronic Exposure:
Prolonged contact with dilute solutions has a destructive effect upon tissue.

Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance." Source: Healthreport/uk

SPF - "Moisturizers with SPF offer protection from the sun's harmful rays, but some sunscreens come with risky side effects. For instance:

Benzophenones (benzophenone-3, homosalate, and octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate)have shown estrogenic activity in lab tests.
Padimate-O and Parsol 1789 are chemicals that have the potential to damage DNA when illuminated with sunlight.

On the skin's surface, the chemicals do protect from UV damage, but once absorbed, these same chemicals can prove destructive. Dr. Knowland, a biochemist at Oxford University, has studied both of the chemicals mentioned above and warns, "DNA damage inflicted by an excited sunscreen is much less capable of being repaired by naturally occurring repair mechanisms than the DNA damage inflicted by UV alone." Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are effective sun blocks that rest on the skin without being absorbed. Look for moisturizers with SPF that use these active ingredients, or use a moisturizer in combination with a sun block."

Talc - Used especially as baby powder and in deodorant and antiperspirant products. Long term use can produce the same effects as long term exposure to asbestos. It is mined from the same place as asbestos. It is a carcinogen. It irritates the respiratory system, especially in infants. Talc particles have been found in tumors of female patients who use products with talc in them regularly on their undergarments or pads to absorb moisture.

· Triethanolamine - Skin irritant, skin sensitizer, eye irritant, resporitory irritant, asthma trigger, moderate evidence human immune system toxin, limited evidence human carcinogen, limited evidence organ toxin. These findings are especially evident in products meant to be left on and soaked into the skin instead of washed off, like moisturizers.

"According to the US agency that regulates cosmetics—the FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors—"a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from the FDA". Testing of product ingredients is not only controlled by the manufacturers but is also voluntary. Not surprisingly then, many ingredients in cosmetics, skin care products, and other personal-care products are not tested for safety at all, and most have not been evaluated for safety by the FDA. This means that companies can market ingredients that are known to pose potentially serious health risks, including some found in moisturizers" (which are the most dangerous place for them because moisturizers are designed to soak into the skin without being washed off).

Please women- don't use any of these hazardous ingredients internally as lubrication of the feminine area or even externally to keep that area dry, especially repeatedly. Don't self medicate an already irritated area. Women are open and vulnerable in the feminine region. (Again, clean apricot kernel oil makes a wonderful, safe lubricant- for women and men and can be found inexpensively at your local grocery store.) Most doctors recommend against using feminine powders, douches, creams and other over the counter "feminine hygiene" products of the like, because women are open down there. Females even have to be careful of the type of soap used in that region. These products can be extremely harmful.

(Quoted text in "Harmful Ingredients" is from an Article by The Green Guide written by Claire Gutierrez- http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/08-09/safe-skin-care-article.htm(unless otherwise stated) Please visit the web site for more information. )

*I have listed harmful ingredients found mainly in store bought lotions and creams. For a more detailed report of the toxins in all of our cosmetics and skin care products please visit http://www.health-report.co.uk/ingredients-directory.htm*

Source: http://lotionsecrets.com/glossaryharmful.html