INGREDIENTS TO AVOID
NN Do not feel bad if you do not know what ingredients are in your beauty care products? Most people do not. There s really lack of awareness about the topic of skin care and healthy vs toxic ingredients. Most people think of skin as an external organ that is unrelated to anything that is inside our body. Little do they know that our skin is an open gateway to our blood, tissues and organs as well as our nervous and reproductive system. It is because our skin is porous and what we put on it, gets absorbed and circulates in our body. In fact, what we put on our skin might not only be aging our skin more, as toxins are one of the primary causes of skin aging, but it might be even more dangerous than what we put in our body. What we eat gets filtered by liver, and gets eliminated through our intestines and our back door, but what we put on our body often goes straight to our blood and then circulates throughout our body for much longer causing bioaccumulation of toxins and harmful chemicals in our bodies that long term disrupt our hormones and harm other biological processes that keep our bodies young and healthy. More disturbingly, this chemical exposure begins even before we are born. An astounding 287 chemicals toxins have been found in ambilocal cords of newborns, and many of those chemicals came from personal care products. (1) Ask yourself a question. How do those chemicals get into our newborn children blood before they are even born? Next time you use a skincare or personal care product, think of all the toxins your body will be absorbing, and if you do not believe your skin absorbs, why do they use birth control or nicotine patches and other medication delivered through the skin? Now, that you have probably had an aha moment, let us tell you that our skin does absorb chemicals and the absorption happens through 3 different pathways. The fancy names for those are: intracellular, which means directly through a cell, intercellular, which means in between cells and finally transappenageal, which means through in between openings such as hair follicles or sweat glands. These chemicals, if successful in passing through skin cells, go directly into our bloodstream and lymphatic system. Even if not all of the chemicals will be able successful at entering the bloodstream, why would you want to do that to yourself if there are much healthier choices. There are already toxins and chemicals in the air we breathe, in the food we eat, in the lipstick we eat ( 5 pounds over lifetime! ). If only you choose healthy skincare, you will limit the exposure to the toxins already. Not to mention that you will nourish, prevent and repair the degradation of your skin instead of adding to it.
Let's have a look at the commonly used in skincare products toxins to be avoided. Here is a list of 10 worst offenders that are very easy to spot on a list of skincare ingredients. The data has been collected from the Environmental Working Group, a non profit organization dedicated to protecting human health and environment with a breakthrough research. They just like Dermattude, drive consumer choice. Some information has also been gathered from Toxipidia.com, a great source to learn about toxins around us in general, and not only skincare. Skincare is just a small fraction of it. Finally, SafeCosmetics.org site has been used as a resource as well. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Coalition works together with a Project of Breast Cancer Prevention to protect the health of consumers through education of the public. Their campaigns aims at eliminating certain dangerous chemicals linked to adverse health reactions from cosmetics and personal care products that contain cancer-causing chemicals, reproductive toxicants. If you do not want your skin to absorb toxins, avoid the following offenders that are still frequently used in skincare.
Offender 1 - FRAGRANCE
FDA does not require that companies list ingredients that compose a fragrance aka scent. If you spot it on a label as a "Fragrance" or "Parfum" - know that unless it says "natural", your skin will have a scent you like, but it will be at an expense of soaking up toxins. Fragrance is considered a trademark secret , and thus companies are not requires to disclose what is in it, but there are over 3000 ingredients that can hide behind it many of which are considered toxic.
Offender 2 -COLOR
Any skincare product that has color to it, unless it has retinol in it, which is yellowish, will have dyes in it. Dyes are most likely petroleum derived byproducts of come from coal tar. Is this something you want to put on your face, or in your car? Dyes are easy to spot on labels. If you see a color with a number, such as Red-5, stir clear from the product.
Offender 3 - PARABENS 75% or more of the skincare products on the market uses parabens as preservatives even though studies have shown that they are carcinogens and hormone disruptors. Parabens are for example found in breast cancer tissue. If you want to avoid parabens, watch out for anything with paraben on the label, such as Methyl, Ethyl, Butyl, Propyl -Paraben Offender 4 - PEGs
Another common ingredient in most skincare products, even though it may carry carcinogens that can cause even birth defects, and infertility. PEGs can be found not only in skincare as they are commonly used as humectants to moisturize the skin, but also shampoos, body lotions, soaps and make-up. Easy to spot on the label. Usually toward the beginning on the ingredient list as most skincare products are loaded with PEGs. There are much better natural and organic ingredients that will moisturize your skin and nourish with no toxic side effects. Offender 5 - Phtalates
Often used in skincare, yet known hormone disruptors, respiratory toxicants, as well as causing birth defects, infertility problems in men, and pregnancy losses in women. They can also alter brain development in children. Brain cancers and tumors have been on the rise indeed. If you do not want to expose yourself to phtalates, do not buy anything with fragrance as phtalates are usually a hidden component of fragrance, as well as anything with the name phthalate in it and DBP, DEHP, DMP, DEPN Offender 6 - Silicones
Skincare industry loves silicones or anything with a -cone, -conol, -col, -xane in it as it is what makes a skincare product feel so good.A very popular form of silicone used in skincare is Dimethicone, and if your skincare product is not natural, rest assure, it has it because people love buying a product that is loaded with this hybrid between synthetic rubbers and plastic polymers. They are not necessarily a danger in humans, but they are not eco friendly and even forbidden under the EcoCert certification as they are non biogradable, and known to contaminate environment. It takes about 400 years for it to degrade.Aside from this, dimethicone, has nothing else to offer other than synthetic smoothing. It creates a film on the skin and is associated with breakouts and blackheads. Additionally, it hinders your skin normal activities such as temperature regulation, sweating, removing dead skin cells. It can also cause allergic reactions. Finally, it temporarily fills in the fine lines and wrinkles, so it gets you hooked on it because your skin does look better, but long term it dries your skin out, so your skin looks worse with fine lines and wrinkles being more noticeable. In addition to dimethcone, other common names of dimethicone are: silicone, methicone, phenyl, trimethicone, cyclomethicone,dimethicol, dimethicone, copolyl, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane.
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Offender 7 - Mineral Oil
So often used in skincare, petroleum byproduct, because it is so cheap. Mineral Oil is not only toxic to the body, but will also clog your pores and prevent your skin from breathing and eliminating toxins. Stir clear from it especially if you have acne.
Offender(s) 8 - DEA,MEA, TEA
DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine) - Often used as foaming agents and to emulsify ingredients (preventing them from separation). They are known for their possible carcinogenic effects. Offender 9 - BHA and BHT preservatives
Exposure to these chemicals for an extended period of time as been linked to tumors in kidneys, liver and certain thyroid conditions. The European Commission of Endocrine Disruption has identified BHA as a Category 1 ingredinet in regards to hormone disruption.
Offender 10- Formaldehyde
Used to embalm dead bodies, but commonly in many skincare products. It is a known carcinogen as well as being toxic to our lungs when inhaled. It is Ok to use to preserve a dead body, but would you want it anywhere near or on your face? CAUTION! - SUNSCREEN
Sunscreen and especially OXYBENZONE - widely used to prevent from skin cancer, has been known for very high toxicity. There are many different types of sunscreen out there, and we could write a separate article on sunscreen toxicity, but https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/. is where you can read up all about it. Zinc Oxide is the ingredient that Dermattude recommends to use as a sunscreen. We are also going to be offering samples of this tinted sunscreen to the consumers who purchase our products. Zinc Oxide leaves white film and thus needs to be tinted. Sign up for our newsletter to learn when we will be offering this 100% natural and safe tinted sunscreen for different skin colors.
With that being said, even when we are born, we are not as pure and pristine as we thought we were and exposed to chemicals, however. if we are not careful, our body will turn into a polluted ecosystem and look like a body of water after an oil well blowout. This pollution will not happen overnight, but it will build up over time until one day we will get sick and not know where from. Everyone reacts to different chemicals differently and what might not cause any harm to one person, might a lot to another. Why taking that risk ? Why not limiting the exposure to those chemicals especially if there are safer alternatives, such as Dermattude skincare? For more information on dirty skincare ingredients, visit these website:
1. [http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chemicals-umbilical-cord-blood/]↩
Let's have a look at the commonly used in skincare products toxins to be avoided. Here is a list of 10 worst offenders that are very easy to spot on a list of skincare ingredients. The data has been collected from the Environmental Working Group, a non profit organization dedicated to protecting human health and environment with a breakthrough research. They just like Dermattude, drive consumer choice. Some information has also been gathered from Toxipidia.com, a great source to learn about toxins around us in general, and not only skincare. Skincare is just a small fraction of it. Finally, SafeCosmetics.org site has been used as a resource as well. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Coalition works together with a Project of Breast Cancer Prevention to protect the health of consumers through education of the public. Their campaigns aims at eliminating certain dangerous chemicals linked to adverse health reactions from cosmetics and personal care products that contain cancer-causing chemicals, reproductive toxicants. If you do not want your skin to absorb toxins, avoid the following offenders that are still frequently used in skincare.
Offender 1 - FRAGRANCE
FDA does not require that companies list ingredients that compose a fragrance aka scent. If you spot it on a label as a "Fragrance" or "Parfum" - know that unless it says "natural", your skin will have a scent you like, but it will be at an expense of soaking up toxins. Fragrance is considered a trademark secret , and thus companies are not requires to disclose what is in it, but there are over 3000 ingredients that can hide behind it many of which are considered toxic.
Offender 2 -COLOR
Any skincare product that has color to it, unless it has retinol in it, which is yellowish, will have dyes in it. Dyes are most likely petroleum derived byproducts of come from coal tar. Is this something you want to put on your face, or in your car? Dyes are easy to spot on labels. If you see a color with a number, such as Red-5, stir clear from the product.
Offender 3 - PARABENS 75% or more of the skincare products on the market uses parabens as preservatives even though studies have shown that they are carcinogens and hormone disruptors. Parabens are for example found in breast cancer tissue. If you want to avoid parabens, watch out for anything with paraben on the label, such as Methyl, Ethyl, Butyl, Propyl -Paraben Offender 4 - PEGs
Another common ingredient in most skincare products, even though it may carry carcinogens that can cause even birth defects, and infertility. PEGs can be found not only in skincare as they are commonly used as humectants to moisturize the skin, but also shampoos, body lotions, soaps and make-up. Easy to spot on the label. Usually toward the beginning on the ingredient list as most skincare products are loaded with PEGs. There are much better natural and organic ingredients that will moisturize your skin and nourish with no toxic side effects. Offender 5 - Phtalates
Often used in skincare, yet known hormone disruptors, respiratory toxicants, as well as causing birth defects, infertility problems in men, and pregnancy losses in women. They can also alter brain development in children. Brain cancers and tumors have been on the rise indeed. If you do not want to expose yourself to phtalates, do not buy anything with fragrance as phtalates are usually a hidden component of fragrance, as well as anything with the name phthalate in it and DBP, DEHP, DMP, DEPN Offender 6 - Silicones
Skincare industry loves silicones or anything with a -cone, -conol, -col, -xane in it as it is what makes a skincare product feel so good.A very popular form of silicone used in skincare is Dimethicone, and if your skincare product is not natural, rest assure, it has it because people love buying a product that is loaded with this hybrid between synthetic rubbers and plastic polymers. They are not necessarily a danger in humans, but they are not eco friendly and even forbidden under the EcoCert certification as they are non biogradable, and known to contaminate environment. It takes about 400 years for it to degrade.Aside from this, dimethicone, has nothing else to offer other than synthetic smoothing. It creates a film on the skin and is associated with breakouts and blackheads. Additionally, it hinders your skin normal activities such as temperature regulation, sweating, removing dead skin cells. It can also cause allergic reactions. Finally, it temporarily fills in the fine lines and wrinkles, so it gets you hooked on it because your skin does look better, but long term it dries your skin out, so your skin looks worse with fine lines and wrinkles being more noticeable. In addition to dimethcone, other common names of dimethicone are: silicone, methicone, phenyl, trimethicone, cyclomethicone,dimethicol, dimethicone, copolyl, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane.
t
Offender 7 - Mineral Oil
So often used in skincare, petroleum byproduct, because it is so cheap. Mineral Oil is not only toxic to the body, but will also clog your pores and prevent your skin from breathing and eliminating toxins. Stir clear from it especially if you have acne.
Offender(s) 8 - DEA,MEA, TEA
DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine) - Often used as foaming agents and to emulsify ingredients (preventing them from separation). They are known for their possible carcinogenic effects. Offender 9 - BHA and BHT preservatives
Exposure to these chemicals for an extended period of time as been linked to tumors in kidneys, liver and certain thyroid conditions. The European Commission of Endocrine Disruption has identified BHA as a Category 1 ingredinet in regards to hormone disruption.
Offender 10- Formaldehyde
Used to embalm dead bodies, but commonly in many skincare products. It is a known carcinogen as well as being toxic to our lungs when inhaled. It is Ok to use to preserve a dead body, but would you want it anywhere near or on your face? CAUTION! - SUNSCREEN
Sunscreen and especially OXYBENZONE - widely used to prevent from skin cancer, has been known for very high toxicity. There are many different types of sunscreen out there, and we could write a separate article on sunscreen toxicity, but https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/. is where you can read up all about it. Zinc Oxide is the ingredient that Dermattude recommends to use as a sunscreen. We are also going to be offering samples of this tinted sunscreen to the consumers who purchase our products. Zinc Oxide leaves white film and thus needs to be tinted. Sign up for our newsletter to learn when we will be offering this 100% natural and safe tinted sunscreen for different skin colors.
With that being said, even when we are born, we are not as pure and pristine as we thought we were and exposed to chemicals, however. if we are not careful, our body will turn into a polluted ecosystem and look like a body of water after an oil well blowout. This pollution will not happen overnight, but it will build up over time until one day we will get sick and not know where from. Everyone reacts to different chemicals differently and what might not cause any harm to one person, might a lot to another. Why taking that risk ? Why not limiting the exposure to those chemicals especially if there are safer alternatives, such as Dermattude skincare? For more information on dirty skincare ingredients, visit these website:
1. [http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chemicals-umbilical-cord-blood/]↩