It wasn't too long ago that Natural News featured an article highlighting Annie Leonard's video The Story of Cosmetics; in fact, Natural News even hosted the video itself. Readers and viewers who might not have been aware of the toxicity of cosmetics were in for a surprise. Unbelievably, the dangers of many of these chemicals have been well-documented. Yet, big business continues to use them in their products and the government continues to allow this practice. So what exactly are some of these toxins that consumers should be aware of? Here is a short list that is merely the tip of the iceberg:Phthalates can be found in numerous health and beauty products, from nail polish to fragrances and lotions to shampoos. In the U.S. these chemicals are difficult to avoid when purchasing common over-the-counter products. Despite the fact that they are documented as known toxins, cosmetic and beauty manufacturers continue to use them. In fact, one major American manufacturer has stated that the FDA has determined that their use of phthalates is not a "health risk." However, phthalates have been linked to cancer, infertility, and birth defects. Whether the risk is considered minimal or not, these chemicals should not be in health and beauty products.Lead, a toxin that most people are aware of, can be found in lipstick. If a woman is wearing lipstick, it's difficult to avoid ingesting some of it. Laws regarding lead-based paint and other potential lead hazards in one's home have made most people aware of the dangers of this toxic metal. Lead is not actually added to lipstick; rather, it is a contaminant. However, some manufacturers' lipsticks are more dangerous than others. Furthermore, lead might even be in other cosmetics. Lead, like phthalates, is linked to cancer and birth defects, and manufacturers must do a better job of keeping their lipsticks clean.Parabens are preservatives used in health and beauty products. They work in cosmetics the way trans fats work in foods - they greatly extend the shelf life of the product, but at the expense of the human body using them! Parabens are thought to cause breast cancer and reproductive problems because they mimic hormones. Surely there are other ingredients manufacturers can use to extend the life of the products they sell without endangering their customers.A person's skin acts as a shield, but it is not an impenetrable shell. Even though this large organ protects the rest of the body from germs and other contaminants, it cannot keep the dangerous chemicals out. If a product like lotion is rubbed on the skin and contains a toxin, the body absorbs the toxin along with the rest of the ingredients. These toxins are delivered directly into the body when they are used on the skin.Yes, beauty can be deadly. Fortunately, there are several cosmetic and health care companies today that manufacture health and beauty products that are free of harmful chemicals, toxins, and preservatives. Many of these companies are also vegan. Mindful consumers can make healthy, safe choices when it comes to their beauty and health products.Sources:http://www.naturalnews.com/029264_story_of_cosmetics_chemicals.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/07/fashion/thursdaystyles/07skin.htmlhttp://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/hazmap_generic?tbl=TblAgents&id=704http://www.pgbeautygroomingscience.com/phthalates-safety-in-cosmetics...http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/fda060104.cfmhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22979800/ns/health-kids_and_parentinghttp://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=283http://www.epa.gov/lead/http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/ebook/skin/purpose.htmlhttp://www.ecovoice.com.au/archive/evonline/evo-23/evo23-decodingcosm...http://www.livestrong.com/article/150690-what-are-the-dangers-of-para...
About the author
Cindy Jones-Shoeman is the author of Last Sunset and a Feature Writer for Academic Writing at Suite101. Some of Cindy's interests include environmental issues, vegetarian and sustainable lifestyles, music, and reading.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/030649_beauty_products_toxic_chemicals.html#ixzz1yYu02RKT
As lovely as your favorite fragrance may smell, there's a good chance that it's a toxic chemical concoction of poisons. The ingredients used to make perfume and cologne don't stop at natural spices and pure essential oils (no matter what those romantic commercials on your TV may imply).The list often includes formaldehyde, toluene, methylene chloride, benzaldehyde, petroleum, and phthalates. These chemicals have been linked to a wide range of damaging symptoms, including respiratory problems, nervous system issues, reproductive issues like infertility, and various forms of cancer. Phthalates are also known to be endocrine disruptors. These harmful effects have the most impact on young children and developing fetuses. In fact, pregnant women have been advised to avoid the use of perfume altogether due to these ill effects on unborn children.But the range of products that these synthetic poisons contaminate goes far beyond your most cherished night-out-on-the-town scent. "Fragrance" is a common ingredient in air fresheners, cleaning products, lotions, cosmetics, shampoos, and sadly enough, baby products.Under the guise of trade secrecy laws, companies are not required to inform their health-conscious consumers what ingredients are actually in this empty word- fragrance.So how do you protect yourself and your family?Read ingredients labels! Become familiar with the names of these adverse chemicals and don't buy products that are made with them. The sweet connotation that you may have associated with your favorite perfume will change drastically once you learn what its regular use actually does to your body. Everyone wants to smell nice, but is it at the expense of your health and your family's?Read those labels to get a better idea of what's in these magic potions you're spraying on yourself. If the ingredients are not clear and straight-forward, but rather hidden under the catch-all term "fragrance," be very suspicious!Skin Deep Cosmetics Database offers an online resource where you can look up the ingredients in your favorite perfumes. You'll find that the most popular brands are also often the most detrimental.Be proactive about researching the chemicals in the products you use. Perfume, air fresheners, and lotions just won't smell as good anymore once you really know what's in them.References:"Fragrances and Perfumes Can Be Toxic,"http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/fragrances.htmSkindeep Cosmetics Database, http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/?nothanks=1"Women warned not to wear perfume during pregnancy," by Kate Foster, http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/latestnews/Women-warned--not-to....
About the author
Melanie Banzer is an independent research journalist with a passion for health, political truth, and raising babies as nature intended! She believes it is everyone's personal responsibility to take charge of their own well-being and pursue an ongoing quest for knowledge. Her website http://www.ohbabybabyblog.com provides holistic pregnancy-related information as she explores an alternative approach to first-time motherhood.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033329_perfume_toxic_chemicals.html#ixzz1yYtScpND
The greedy corporate strategy of cutting corners to expand profits now means "injecting" toxic smoothing agents into everything from eye drops and yogurt to cosmetics and flu shots. And nothing is being done by the FDA or the CDC to stop it. Thanks to emulsifiers like sorbitol, soy lecithin, sodium caseinate, polysorbate 80, poloxamer 407, and thimerosal, the list of smoothing agents is growing every day, and they are appearing in more than just "small amounts."If you think the gurus on Wall Street are smooth criminals "getting away with murder," the latest toxic-laden preservatives are moving in undetected, compromising consumers state of health in the short term and the long term, including immediate heart problems and central nervous system disorders. Some of these "repeat offenders" include detergents and aluminum that are injected directly into your veins in flu shots, leading to seizures, autism, miscarriages, and even Alzheimer's disease.These "efficient delivery devices" are often ignored by the general public because many consumers just follow along with the masses, believing that the FDA and the United States Government would never allow poisons in foods, cosmetics and vaccinations. Immediate gratification has many consumers preoccupied with the conveniences of an over-stimulated society, and up to 23 of the 25 average products that aren't strictly organic are toxic.If you think you're being careful by requesting additive free vaccines and flu shots, you've only scraped off the tip of a dangerous iceberg. Even if there is no polysorbate 80 or aluminum in an injection, vaccines are capable of inducing prolonged activation of the brain's microglia immune cells. This prolonged activation is associated with diseases like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and vaccine-related encephalitis.
Here are the most frequently used chemical emulsifiers
Are you ready to check the labels and ingredients on everything in your pantry, refrigerator, bathroom cabinet, and in those flu shots yet? Which flu shots are the most dangerous, and are there any safe ones at all? Fluvirin and Flushield contain chick embryonic fluid and synthetic emulsifiers. Polysorbate 80 is associated with allergic reactions like difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, sudden loss of balance, and coughing up blood.Many vaccines and flu shots contain aluminum, which serves as a delivery vehicle, for helping certain components stay soluble. Do some research on aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate and potassium aluminum sulfate, and you may never get another flu shot in your life.Sorbitol is in almost every diet food, diet drink, gum, breath mint, eye drop and contact lens solution. Fooling the body because it tastes sweet, this softening agent fuels the development of colon cancer because the body cannot process and excrete it properly. Sorbitol is a known carcinogen that maintains the softness for food and gives eye care products that slippery feel.Poloxamer 407, the key ingredient in most mouthwashes, is a detergent. It causes bladder cancer in animals. Long term use of mouthwashes is associated with an increased risk of mouth and throat cancers. Listerine contains Poloxamer 407.Soy lecithin increases risks of breast cancer. Soy lecithin is produced as a result of the sludge that is left over after crude soy oil goes through a "degumming" process. It is a waste product that contains solvents and pesticides.Sodium caseinate is a fancy name for casein, a known carcinogen. Manufacturers add hydrochloric acid to this processed milk protein in order to reach desired pH levels. Look for casein in paint, glue, cheese, most soy and whey protein shake mixes, and in those popular protein bars. Casein can act as a histamine releaser, aggravating autism and promoting cancerous cell growth.The label "natural skin care" doesn't mean a whole lot these days either. Kiss My Face is a brand known to call everything natural, while still containing toxins like sorbitan oleate and other dangerous emulsifiers.Watch out for phenoxyethanol, a popular antibacterial and preservative chemical often referred to as natural by organic skin care brands. Phenoxyethanol can act as an endocrine disruptor, causing damage to the bladder, brain, and nervous system in animals. Try not to forget that humans are also animals.Sources for this article include:http://www.informedchoice.info/cocktail.htmlhttp://www.drugs.com/sfx/darbepoetin-alfa-polysorbate-80-side-effects...http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/janak/080830http://www.sailhome.org/Concerns/Vaccines.htmlhttp://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/r?dbs+hsdb:@term+@rn+50-...http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Co-Di/Cosmetic-Chemistry.htmlhttp://www.organicapoteke.com/blog/2010/06/natural-skin-care-the-dang...http://www.advancedhealthplan.com/bhvaccineingredients.htmlhttp://www.advancedhealthplan.com/bhflushots.htmlhttp://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/behind_the_label/26955...http://www.naturalnews.com/030868_vaccines_autism.htmlhttp://www.ktradionetwork.com/tag/additive-free/http://www.immunizationinfo.org/issues/vaccine-components/aluminum-ad...http://candicecabe.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/muscle-milk-the-not-so-go...
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033939_emulsifiers_food_additives.html#ixzz1yYt3MVuT
An analysis commissioned by the FDA of 400 popular lipstick products has alarmingly found at least some lead in every single product. The amount of lead found in 380 of the lipstick products tested was greater than the maximum 0.1 parts per million (ppm) allowed in candy bars - in some instances as much as 70 times greater. However, the FDA stated that it did not consider the lead content to represent any danger because lipstick is not intended to be ingested.Apparently, the FDA chose to ignore the obvious fact that eating, kissing or drinking with lipstick can lead to ingestion of some of the lipstick. Likewise, the FDA also chose to overlook the fact of how easily items are absorbed into the skin - which is why so many medications are applied transdermally in skin patches, creams and oils. One obvious example is the nicotine patch used to help wean smokers from cigarettes.In recent years, health destroying toxins have been increasingly identified in beauty and body care products and reports of lead in lipstick date back to the 1990s. The recent FDA analysis is an expansion of a previous analysis performed in 2007 which was spurred on by testing performed by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics on 33 shades of red lipstick. The campaign found that 20 of the tested shades contained lead in excess of the maximum amount allowed in candy bars.
95percent of lipstick products tested had more lead content than is allowed in candy bars
In the initial 2007 analysis, the FDA tested the same 20 red shades of lipstick that the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found had lead in greater amounts than were allowed for candy bars. The FDA analysis found that 19 of the 20 exceeded the 0.1 ppm maximum limit for candy bars and the average lead content was found to be 1.07 ppm. The new expanded analysis confirmed the previous results, finding lead content in all 400 products tested with 380 of the products exceeding the limit for candy bars.To put the two sets of analyses in perspective, both found lead in 100 percent of the products tested and 95 percent of the lipstick products lead content exceeded the maximum safe amount of lead allowed in candy bars.The latest analysis reviewed top lipstick brands sold to children and adults alike and was performed by Frontier Global Sciences, Inc., a private laboratory based in Seattle, WA. The new analysis is due to be published in the May/June, 2012, issue of the Journal of Cosmetic Science. The 400 lipstick products were all purchased at retail stores between February and July 2010.Of the 400 lipsticks tested, the top five offenders were:1. Maybelline's "Color Sensational 125 Pink Petal" at 7.19 ppm of lead.2. L'Oreal's "Colour Riche 410 Volcanic" at 7.00 ppm.3. NARS' "Semi-Matte 1005 Red Lizard" at 4.93 ppm.4. Cover Girl Queen Collection's "Vibrant Hues Color Q580 Ruby Remix" at 4.92 ppm.5. NARS' "Semi-Matte 1009 Funny Face" at 4.89 ppm.The full list of lipsticks tested and manufacturers can be viewed at:http://www.fda.govThough the FDA maintains that the amounts of lead found are not dangerous, their site does note "Although we do not believe that the lead content found in our recent lipstick analyses poses a safety concern, we are evaluating whether there may be a need to recommend an upper limit for lead in lipstick in order to further protect the health and welfare of consumers."Sources for this article include:http://naturalsociety.comhttp://www.fda.govhttp://www.naturalnews.com/029093_lipstick_lead.htmlhttp://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=954About the author:Tony Isaacs, is a natural health author, advocate and researcher who hosts The Best Years in Life website for those who wish to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. Mr. Isaacs is the author of books and articles about natural health, longevity and beating cancer including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" and is working on a major book project due to be published later this year. He is also a contributing author for the worldwide advocacy group "S.A N.E.Vax. Inc" which endeavors to uncover the truth about HPV vaccine dangers.Mr. Isaacs also has The Best Years in Life website for baby boomers and others wishing to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. In addition, he hosts the Yahoo Oleandersoup Health group of over 2500 members and the CureZone Ask Tony Isaacs - Featuring Luella May forum, where he also serves as the local moderator for the Cancer Alternatives forum. Mr. Isaacs serves as a consultant to the "Utopia Silver Supplement Company and he and his partner Luella May recently began hosting The Best Years in Life Radio Show for Rumor Mill News on the Micro Effect Radio Network.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035027_lipstick_lead_FDA.html#ixzz1yYspFTXu
A few ask why am I starting this business. Why am I making homemade salves,shampoo,bug repellents and lotions,,well it a lot more but thats the short list..I made them for my family and then for gifts. People kept saying you should sell them. I want more time for loved ones. And It's something I believe in. I say detox get away from the chemicals. But most dont even know where they all are so I'm going to tell you,, then offer you some things to help.
The entire cosmetic industry is in a buyer beware state of alert, thanks to the latest additions to the melting pot of chemicals and pollutants in skin care, above and beyond the usual parabens. Consumers are warned by experts to put on the watch list any makeup which contains synthetic coloring ingredients, emulsifiers, leads, copolymer, triclosan, and "urea as a preservative." Also contributing to the chemical compounds are phthalates, formaldehyde, and petroleum.Without proper regulations, especially regarding testing how chemicals react to one another in combinations, it is scary how quickly the industry has become a problem for women and men alike. Some lipsticks are loaded with lead. If you think it doesn't matter because it's just on your skin, think again. Deodorants and shampoo must also be included in the equation. There are plenty of solutions to the problem, but where do you begin?Start by viewing the issues as long term consequences instead of short term benefits. In fact, there are critical trade offs when it comes to using products for beauty and hygiene that contain chemicals. Skin cancer can have roots, and the removal of them can leave scars on your nose or even around your mouth. Consumers shouldn't count on "all natural" labels and similar advertisements because current regulations on the use of those buzzwords are almost non-existent.In the United States, the personal care industry goes largely unregulated. For starters, the FDA has not set limits for lead in cosmetics unless the lead is used for color additives. Also many fragrances are synthetic. Ever heard of or seen on the ingredients list Diazolidinyl or Imidazolidinyl Urea? One does not have to pronounce them in order to find them on the ingredients liston the back of a box or bottle. Just set it down and keep looking.Do not leave out the average man in the United States, who might easily put 6 to 8 personal care products on his skin repeatedly every 24 hours. Facial soaps, shampoo, conditioner and deodorants will likely contain at least one of 10 carcinogenic chemicals, and the combination of chemicals seep through the skin, into the bloodstream, creating havoc for healthy cells.The Safe Cosmetic Act of 2010 uses terminology like aggregate exposure, vulnerable populations, and people with compromised immune systems, but it seems as though everybody fits into at least two categories. Are you still willing to take the same chances?Synthetic colors are listed as D&C or FD&C, but even though these are regulated by the industry, they are still mostly derived from coal tar, which, when injected in lab mice, causes cancer. Many previously approved colors are now banned across the world because of known carcinogenic properties.Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), the ingredient which provides that shiny, smooth, varnish look, comes at a steep price, and not just in dollars and cents. Banned in Europe, this dangerous toxin can pose a threat to the nervous system, even by simply inhaling the fumes. Women who sit and relax at salons and boutiques for hours on end might even feel intoxicated when they exit.Pregnant women especially beware. The long term effects include impaired fetal development and deformed male reproductive organs.Triclosan is found in more than a handful of cosmetics, and now even in toothpaste, because it's supposed to kill bacteria. Triclosan was initially developed as a surgical scrub for medical professionals, and not for putting around your eyes or for scrubbing your teeth and gums daily, but somehow the FDA has approved it for general consumption.Here come two more ingredients the average human being cannot pronounce. Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine, more easily recognized as DEA and TEA, used extensively for emulsifying products. Combine the two chemicals, and if you're a scientist, you're watching the lab rats die from cancerous tumors. The only "panel of experts" out there recommends you only use them in small doses, but what about the cumulative effect that builds up over time and from the laundry list of products that contain them?Many synthetic nail colors, lipsticks, sunscreens and whitening toothpastes now contain lead and other metals. Titanium dioxide is found in concealers and even diaper ointments. Some metals are used for color, and certain kinds of lip glosses even contain aluminum compounds. The infamous D&C Red 6 may contain mercury and arsenic in addition to the lead. Also, zinc is used in moisturizers, which clogs pores, preventing them from breathing properly.Petrolatum is basically petroleum and is commonly found in moisturizers. It forms an oily layer on the skin which blocks moisture evaporation. Just as aluminum in antiperspirants dangerously blocks and traps sweat, petroleum has adverse effects on skin; however, since it's so cheap for makeup manufacturers, it's even found in baby creams and wax depilatories.Now in 2011, there are well over 200 ingredients under the umbrella term "fragrance," and manufacturers are not required to disclose any of the actual ingredients in their formulas. Don't lose hope though, because there are natural, non-toxic preservatives that are both safe and effective.In the long term, you are saving a fortune when you buy truly natural and organic products in comparison to the health care costs of future treatments, including surgery from using toxins on your face and body. Along with consumer education comes the gradual phase out of the bad guys in the natural skin care industry. Word combinations like sodium lauryl sulfate aren't so hard to pronounce anymore.Sources:http://www.naturalskincaresecrets.com/cosmetic-ingredients-avoid.htmlhttp://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/green-products-servic...http://www.beautytips411.com/paraben-free-cosmetics/http://smartgirlconsulting.com/2011/03/how-to-choose-the-right-mascar...http://www.mystagesofbeauty.com/?fb_lgid=515&fb_lpid=4863&fb_itid=647...http://www.100percentpure.com/?gclid=CLatq6_7iKsCFWw0QgodZVKL3ghttp://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=734http://personalcaretruth.com/2010/07/1602/http://lettersfromitia.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/special-report-triclo...http://www.wisegeek.com/which-nail-polish-ingredients-are-dangerous.h...http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033694_chemicals_cosmetics.html#ixzz1yYeQ74y1
