Organics4you.ch

Save-Your-Skin I ngredients Report
A compilation of the harmful ingredients to be found
in skin and body care products
5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane is toxic and should be rinsed off thoroughly. It must not be
used in products that stay in contact with the skin. It may form
carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines on the skin or in
the body after absorption
Acrylates copolymer is widely used in cosmetics, but can be a strong irritant.
Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer is a synthetic compound derived from petroleum which can
be
a strong irritant.
Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY is a synthetic antiperspirant/deodorant compound. This
ingredient has been banned from use in aerosol dispensers in
the European Union and USA. Not to be used on damaged
skin.
Aminomethyl propanol is used as an emulsifier and is limited to 1% of the finished
product because it can cause skin irritation.
Behentrimonium chloride is used as a preservative and is limited to 0.1% of the finished
product. It is one of the quaternary ammonium compounds, all
of which can be toxic.
Benzoic acid is a mild irritant and can cause allergic reactions. Limited to
0.5% of finished product when used as a preservative.
Benzophenone-3 is used as a UV absorber and can be an irritant and cause
contact dermatitis and photosensitivity. Subject to limits on the
amount that can be included in the finished product.
Benzyl alcohol is toxic and can cause contact dermatitis. There are
limititations on how much benzyl alcohol a product can contain
because there are concerns over its safety.
Benzyl salicylate is used as a fixative and solvent and is known to cause skin
rash when exposed to sunlight.
Butane is used as a propellant to spray the product on to the skin. It is
flammable, and can be abused by inhaling. Butane is a
greenhouse gas, which has been identified as contributing to
global warming.
Butylated hydroxytoluenel (BHT) is a cancer suspect. It is also known to cause contact allergies
and dermatitis.
Butylparaben acts as a preservative. It kills cells that would otherwise infect
the product and make it go 'off'. This ingredient has been
implicated in a number of health issues, but most particularly
in the case of people and children suffering from asthma.
Ceteareth-20 is used as an emulsifier but is not safe for use on damaged
skin. During the manufacturing process, this ingredient can
form 1,4-dioxane, which is a carcinogen.
Cetrimonium chloride is used as a preservative and is limited to 0.1% of the finished
product. It is one of the quaternary ammonium compounds, all
of which can be toxic.
Chamomilla recutita (matricaria) extract has been known to cause contact allergies.
CI 15510 (D&C Orange #4) is an orange colourant which is known to be harmful or irritant
to the eyes. In the EU, it is not allowed to be used in products
in or near the eyes.
CI 42051 (Acid blue) is a blue colorant permitted for use in the European Union but
not in the USA. It can cause skin sensitivity and should be
avoided by people with history of allergies.
CI 42090 (FD&C Blue #1) is a blue colorant known to be carcinogenic.
CI 60730 (Ext. D&C Violet #2) is harmful. EU regulations ban this ingredient in products
which may come into contact with eyes, nose, mouth or
genital area.
Citric acid is used to exfoliate the skin. It can cause skin irritation,
bleeding or pain and sensitivity to sunlight. Not recommended
in products for use by children.
Citrus limonum also known as lemon oil, is added to cosmetics to give a citrus
fragrance or 'feel'. It can be an irritant and an allergen.
Coal tar is used in shampoos as an anti-dandruff agent. Coal tar is
known to cause cancer in humans. Products containing coal
tar should not be used on a long term basis. Frequent source
of allergic reactions particularly skin rashes and hives.
Cocamide DEA is currently under investigation as a cancer causing agent. It
can be an irritant and can cause contact dermatitis.
Cocamide MEA is known to cause contact allergies and contact dermatitis. It is
unsafe for use in products which could be inhaled, and may
form carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines on the skin
or in the body after absorption.
Cocamidopropyl betaine can cause contact allergies and dermatitis, and can be
contaminated with impurities linked to cancer or other
significant health problems.
Coumarin is used in cosmetics as a fragrance, but it is a cancer suspect
and is banned for use in food products in the USA. It is also a
component ingredient of warfarin (rat poisin).
Cyclomethicone is used to reduce the greasy feel of skin products. It covers
the pores of the skin like a film, trapping in any impurities and
preventing the skin from breathing.
Dimethicone is used as an emollient and moisturiser. It covers the pores of
the skin like a film, trapping in any impurities and preventing
the skin from breathing. US cosmetic industry safety panel
has recommended restrictions on the use of this ingredient
because in tests it has caused tumors in rats and mice.
DMDM hydantoin can cause contact dermatitis. Limited to 0.6% of finished
product. Contains formaldehyde, which has been banned in
EU.
Ethylparaben acts as a preservative. It kills cells that would otherwise infect
the product and make it go 'off'. This ingredient has been
implicated in a number of health issues, but most particularly
in the case of people and children suffering from asthma.
Etidronic acid can be harmful. This ingredient is limited to 1.5% in hair care
preparations.
Glyoxal is used as a preservative. There are concerns that this
substance can be contaminated with impurities that may
make it a carcinogen.
Guar hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride is used as a preservative . It is one of the quaternary
ammonium compounds, all of which can be toxic.
Hexylene glycol can be irritating to the eyes
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehy has been known to cause high rates of contact allergies.
Imidazolidinyl urea can cause dermatitis. Used as a preservative, it is subject to
restrictions in the amount that can be included in the finished
product. It may break down to form formaldehyde, which has
now been banned in cosmetic products in the European Union.
Isobutylparaben acts as a preservative. It kills cells that would otherwise infect
the product and make it go 'off'. This ingredient has been
implicated in a number of health issues, but most particularly
in the case of people and children suffering from asthma.
Isopropyl myristate is used as a binding agent and emollient. It can clog the skin,
allowing acne, blackheads or other inflammations to develop.
Isopropylparaben acts as a preservative. It kills cells that would otherwise infect
the product and make it go 'off'. This ingredient has been
implicated in a number of health issues, but most particularly
in the case of people and children suffering from asthma.
Lactic acid is used as an exfoliating agent. It is an alpha-hydroxy acid
(AHA). These acids can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight
because they remove an outer layer of skin cells. You should
rinse thoroughly after using a product containing lactic acid,
and not expose your skin to the sun immediately after using
the product. In the US, the cosmetic industry safety panel
recommends restrictions on its use.
Lavandula angustifolia (lavendar) oil can be an irritant.
Linalool is included in many skin care products and cosmetics as a
deodorant and/or perfume. It is extracted from certain
essential oils, and can therefore be considered 'natural', but it
has been known to cause facial psoriasis in people with
sensitive skin.
Malic acid is used to exfoliate the skin. It can cause skin irritation,
bleeding or pain and sensitivity to sunlight. Not recommended
in products for use by children.
Methylparaben acts as a preservative. It kills cells that would otherwise infect
the product and make it go 'off'. This ingredient has been
implicated in a number of health issues, but most particularly
in the case of people and children suffering from asthma.
Paraffinum Liquidum is also known as 'mineral oil'. It coats the skin and can clog the
pores, preventing the skin from producing natural oils.
PEG-32 is one of a range of polyethylene glycol polymers. PEG-32 is
made using oxirane, which can form dioxanes, which are
carcinogenic, in the process of manufacture.
Petrolatum is also known as 'mineral oil'. It coats the skin and can clog the
pores, preventing the skin from producing natural oils.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is subject to limitation of 1% of the
finished product. It can be irritating to the eyes, and is known
to cause allergies.
Polyquaternium-10 may be contaminated with carcinogenic impurites.
Propylene glycol is a humectant, which means that it is included in the product
to stop the product drying out. It alters the structure of the
skin, and can inhibit cell growth. It can also carry other
chemicals down into the deeper layers of the skin, making it
easier for them to reach the bloodstream. Also used as
industrial anti-freeze.
Propylparaben acts as a preservative. It kills cells that would otherwise infect
the product and make it go 'off'. This ingredient has been
implicated in a number of health issues, but most particularly
in the case of people and children suffering from asthma.
Rosmarinus officinalis is included as a rosemary oil additive. It can be an irritant.
Silica may be carciogenic to humans when inhaled.
Sodium acrylate/acryloyldimethyl taurate cop are considered safe for use in products that are not designed
to be absorbed by the skin. Use in body lotion could be
harmful.
Sodium benzoate is included in cosmetics, and also foodstuffs, to act as a
preservative. It kills cells that would otherwise infect the
product and make it go 'off'. This ingredient has been
implicated in a number of health issues, but most particularly
in the case of people and children suffering from asthma.
Sodium fluoride as added to toothpaste is actually a waste product of the
aluminium industry. It is a fine dust called 'aluminium filing
tailings' which are separated from the body of aluminium
during processing. It is used as a rat poison because it grinds
and destroys the digestive organs so that they die. In the USA
(but not in UK) it has controversially been added to water
supplies in many major cities. There is a growing body of
evidence that not only is it not beneficial, it is actually harmful.
Sodium hydroxide is a harmful irritant and can be corrosive to skin and harmful to
eyes. There are restrictions on how much can be used in
cosmetic products. Labels must state 'Keep out of the reach
of children'.
Sodium lactate is used as an exfoliating agent. It is an alpha-hydroxy acid
(AHA). These acids can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight
because they remove an outer layer of skin cells. You should
rinse thoroughly after using a product containing lactic acid,
and not expose your skin to the sun immediately after using
the product. In the US, the cosmetic industry safety panel
recommends restrictions on its use.
Sodium laureth sulfate is a high foaming surfactant, which is included in the product
as a cleaning agent. It makes the skin more permeable,
enabling other chemicals to penetrate the skin. Sodium
laureth sulfate is also potentially harmful because, in the
manufacturing process, it can form dioxane as a by-product.
Dioxane (1,4-Dioxane) is a known carcinogen, causing cancer
in rats and mice. Dioxane is easily absorbed through human
skin. Sodiul laureth sulfate can also be an eye irritant.
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a harsh detergent that can be strongly irritant. It is
particularly irritating to the eyes and could be dangerous to
children's eyes. Used as an industrial corrosive. Because it is
a surfactant, it increases the skin's permeability which can
enable other chemicals to penetrate the skin. It can also inhibit
hair growth by corroding hair folloicles leading to hair loss.
Sodium monofluorophosphate as added to toothpaste is actually a waste product of the
aluminium industry. It is a fine dust called 'aluminium filing
tailings' which are separated from the body of aluminium
during processing. It is used as a rat poison because it grinds
and destroys the digestive organs so that they die. In the USA(but not in UK) it has controversially been added to watersupplies in many major cities. There is a growing body ofevidence that not only is it not beneficial, it is actually harmful.
Sodium PCA can cause the skin to dry out and become allergic.
Sodium saccharin is a chemical sweetner added to many processed foods. It is
present in toothpaste to give it a sweet and palatable taste.
But tests have shown that it could well be a carcinogen, and
leading medical authorities in the USA have called for it to be
banned.
Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine is a cancer suspect. May cause irritation to the skin and
mucous membranes.
Talc A link between talc and ovarian cancer has been supported by
nearly 30
studies over the past 30 years published in scientific journals.
Studies have shown an increase in the incidence of ovarian
cancer in women who frequently use talcum powder in and
around their genital area.
Tocopheryl acetate may be contaminated with carcinogenic impurities.
Triethanolamine (T.E.A.) is a harmful ingredient. It is known to have caused severe
facial dermatitis. It also carries the danger of producing
nitrosamines, which are carcinogens. Nitrosames can be
formed when two ingredients interact with one another,
producing cancer-causing chemicals on the skin or in the body.
Urea can cause changes in the skin structure, increasing its
permeability, thus allowing other chemicals to penetrate the
skin.
Zinc citrate can be toxic. There are limitations on the amount of this
ingredient that can be prsent in toothpaste.
Zinc sulfate is known to be toxic, and could pose risks of contamination to
wildlife and the environment through disposal of cosmetic
products.
Please use this report to check the ingredients labels on the personal care
products you have in your bathroom and on your dressing table.
To find products that do not contain any of these harmful ingredients, please visit
www.organics4you.ch
If you have any queries, comments or feedback about this report, please email me:
mogiegor@befree.ch

Source: http://www.organics4you.ch/Diagramme/Diagramme%20eng/Save%20your%20skin%20.pdf