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handmade cosmetics

There are thousands of synthetic chemicals in your beauty products, many of which are skin irritants, skin penetrators, endocrine disrupters and carcinogins. Here are some you should definately avoid.

 

parabens

Parabens prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast in cosmetic products. These chemicals have been identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors. They are found in makeup, body washes, deodorants, shampoos and facial cleansers.

 

formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is used to prevent bacterial growth. It is known to cause allergic skin reactions, may be harmful to the immune system, and has been linked to nasal and nasopharyngeal cancer. It is found in nail polish, body washes, conditioners, shampoos, cleansers, eye shadows and nail polish.

 

sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

This chemical is found in 90% of foaming products. SLS's are known to be skin, lung, and eye irritants. A major concern about SLS is its potential to interact and combine with other chemicals to form nitrosamines, a carcinogen.

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parabens

Parbens are widely used preservatives that prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast in cosmetic products. These chemicals are absorbed through the skin and have been identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors. They are found in makeup, body washes, deodorants, shampoos and facial cleansers.

 

synthetic colors

If you take a look at your product label and notice FD&C or D&C, they represent artificial colors. F representing food and D&C representing drug and cosmetics. These letters precede a color and number (e.g., D&C Red 27 or FD&C blue 1). These synthetic colors are derived from coal tar sources and are suspected to be carcinogenic, a skin irritant and are linked to ADHD in children.

 

phthalates

A group of chemicals used in hundreds of products to increase the flexibility and softness of plastics. They are found in nail polish, perfumes, colognes, lotions, moisturizers, and in hair sprays. They are known to be endocrine disruptors and have been linked to increased risk of breast cancer, early breast development in girls, and reproductive birth defects in males and females.

 

triclosan

Tricolson is widely used antimicrobial chemical that's a known endocrine disruptor -- especially thyroid and reproductive hormones, and a skin irritant. Studies raise concerns that triclosan contributes to making bacteria antibiotic-resistant. There also wasn't enough supporting evidence that washing with antibacterial soaps containing triclosan provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water. Tricolson can be found in toothpastes, antibacterial soaps and deodorants.

 

sunscreen chemicals

These chemicals function as a sunscreen agent, to absorb ultraviolet light. These chemicals are endocrine disruptors and are believed to be easily absorbed into the body. They may also cause cellular damage and cancer in the body. Common names are benzophenone, PABA, avobenzone, homosalate and ethoxycinnmate. They can be found in sunscreen products.