Wed 29 Jun 2011
Looking for data about toxic skincare ingredients? Recent studies done by the EWG, fragrances are a significant source of toxicity.
Environmental Working Group tested 17 name brand fragrance products and found a total of 38 chemical substances that were not on the label of ingredients. Companies don’t have to list perfume ingredients, because they are thought to be “trade secrets”.
The chemicals not listed on the labels included hormone disruptors and allergens. Many of them have never been tested for safety.
Cosmetics manufacturers don’t have to prove that a cosmetic ingredient is safe. It is only after numerous adverse reactions are reported by doctors that a compound “might” be taken off of the market. Only by using the right all natural skin care products, can you avoid these chemicals.
Diethyl phthalate is a hormone blocker not listed on labels, but identified to be in most added fragrances by the EWG. It has been known to cause damage to sperm in men.
An artificial ingredient called musk ketone builds up in human fat and breast milk. It is unclear what type of harm the ketone can cause, but other unsaturated ketones are known to be hazardous chemicals. A relatively tiny dose of 7 milligrams can kill a full grown adult if swallowed.
Other toxic skincare components include parabens, PEG (polyethylene glycol), triclosan, SLS (sodium laurel sulfate), triethanolamine and mild acids that dissolve the skin’s outer layer. Those compounds will usually be listed on the label. So it is possible for you to make an informed choice before buying them.
But the only way to avoid the toxic chemicals in fragrance ingredients is to avoid products with added fragrance or perfume. This is difficult because everyone likes to buy things that smell nice. Focusing on natural skin care products is the best way to find a safe chemical free alternative.
Many scientists believe that a dab of scent on the neck or behind the ears is okay. It is a different matter when the cleansers, creams, shampoos, deodorants and other products we use every day on a large section of skin contain added fragrances.
Being exposed to all of those different products and the toxins they contain could be hazardous to your health. They might not cause immediate detrimental effects, but they could lead to chronic, life-threatening or seemingly age-related illnesses.
I sincerely hope the info I have provided helps you make better choices. I always recommend natural beauty products that contain wakame kelp extract. Search on that to learn more.