Harmful Chemicals in Personal Care Products

User Rating: / 7
PoorBest 

In the absence of proper organic standards and further, lack of 100% organic body care products, it is necessary to know a few chemicals that should never feature in the ingredients list of the organic cosmetics you use. These chemicals are strong in nature and when used regularly for years, they have the ability to affect any type of skin. These chemicals also show immediate reaction on sensitive skins.

Healthline provides a list of eight such chemicals you should never use . These are commonly found in skin care and hair care products.

  • Propylene Glycol: Propylene glycol is obtained from petrochemicals and is added in numerous skin care creams and lotions as an emulsifying agent. It makes the skin look smooth; however, it speeds up aging of the skin. It also causes irritation and contact dermatitis.
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): SLS acts as a surfactant, degreaser, and emulsifier and is used in numerous foaming personal care products such as soaps, shampoos, body wash products, face cleansers, shaving cream, etc. This detergent affects the eyes and delays their healing time. It can be absorbed by the skin surface and gets accumulated in your body organs. When used in products containing nitrogen-based raw materials, it forms carcinogenic nitrates, which are known to cause irritation to the eye and skin.
  • Fragrance: Artificial fragrance can cause numerous health problems including headaches, lung problems, skin irritation and dizziness.
  • Mineral Oil: Mineral oils are obtained from petroleum products and can cause skin irritations. They block skin pores, which restricts movement of nutrients and waste matter from the cells.
  • Parabens (Propyl, Methyl, Butyl, or Ethyl): Parabens are used as preservatives in numerous skin care and hair care products. They are highly toxic and cause allergic and skin reactions.
  • Imidazolidinyl and Diazolidinyl Urea: These are also used as preservative and are known for causing contact dermatitis.
  • Synthetic Colors: Synthetic colors should be avoided as they are allergic to the skin.
  • Triethanolamine (TEA): TEA is used to adjust the pH of the cosmetics. It causes various allergic reactions including eye problems, and dryness of hair and skin.

Bookmark and Share RSS
Discussion Board
Add New RSS
Ask a question or share your views
Jon  - Expirements 2009-11-12 13:26:14
How do you conduct expirements on the harmful chemicals in skin products? Can someone email me the procedures?
megan 2009-11-14 21:57:07
You may be interested in an online cosmetic safety database called "Skin Deep" - it's a project of the Environmental Working Group. You can enter a product, an ingredient, or a product name, and they give an evaluation and rating of its toxicity, etc.

They may be able to provide information to you on how they conduct their tests.
Renee 2009-10-21 09:34:14
Physicians Formula now has an organic line of cosmetics. So far, I've tried the mascara and foundation with wonderful results. It is found at most retail stores!
PHutchings  - Provide Links 2009-07-27 23:03:54
Very interested in trying organic cosmetics; body perfumes, lotions, facial makeup. Understand not wanting to promote certain cosmetics over others... however, providing links would most definitely help. I have no idea what / where / how to search for oganic cosmetics.
Maria MIlls 2009-02-24 11:15:25
Hey everyone,

Another great LOCAL organic skincare company that is certififed is MADE FROM EARTH. I have been using their products for the last 6 months - and now stopped!! Because my skin has naturally improved itself and I have seen a real decline in the amount of wrinkles on the side of my eyes. I would recommend the "VITAMIN ENHANCED FACE FIRMING SERUM". This is the cream I only used for 6 months and now stopped because it naturally has improved my owns skins ability to heal itsefl and become firmer.

As a body lotion, I use the HONEY HONEY cream. Smells like honey. Definitely check them out and they are way better priced than most organic skin care lines. . .the website is madefromearth.com
mika  - propylene glycol and parabens 2008-12-28 11:31:59
I did a little research on the affects of propylene glycol and parabens. I didn't see anything stating that propylene glycol caused premature aging. I did find an article connecting parabens to premature aging.
Karan 2008-07-23 02:03:35
what are the organic replacements of synthetic colors and fragrance in organic personal care products? Can I get help in understanding the market for these organic substitutes?

Rgrds
Karan
swati guta  - natural products 2008-05-25 21:57:25
what is the difference between natural and organic products
mika  - narutal products 2008-12-28 11:25:10
According to dictionary.com, "natural" means "having undergone little or no processing and containing no chemical additives". "Organic", however has two meanings.

One of the definitions is "pertaining to, involving, or grown with fertilizers or pesticides of animal or vegetable origin, as distinguished from manufactured chemicals". The other definition is scientific: "noting or pertaining to a class of chemical compounds that formerly comprised only those existing in or derived from plants or animals, but that now includes all other compounds of carbon".
f
Write comment
Name:
Email:
 
Title:
 
Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.