The Ugly Truths of the Beauty Industry

Every day, we are surrounded by hundreds of thousands of toxic chemicals. You can find them in the processed food we eat, the detergents we wash our clothes with, candles we burn, and even the furniture we sit on. Most of these compounds were created with good intention; to prevent crops from being annihilated by pests, add pleasant scents, or act as flame retardants.

With cancer rates and other serious illness on the rise in developed areas of the world, it's time to take a closer look at some of the things that have been deemed "safe" for human use.

I myself, as a consumer, would tend to believe that the personal hygiene and cosmetic products I purchase, must qualify as safe to use...however, that's not the case. The beauty industry is a largely unregulated market; the Food and Drug Administration requires no testing for basic safety be done on any ingredient in personal care products. On top of that, it has been 80 years since Congress passed any legislation ensuring the safety of these products. More than 40 countries around the world have enacted far stricter regulations than the U.S. and have banned over 1,400 chemicals from the ingredient list of cosmetic products.

Recent studies are discovering links between neurological disorders, developmental delays, and certain cancers, and these toxic chemicals hidden in everything from hand soap to sunscreen, makeup to body lotion, deodorant to toothpaste. These compounds act as shelf stabilizers, fragrances, thickeners, and color enhancers and come in many forms.

Here are a few examples of these toxins to avoid:

Parabens.

These compounds are used as preservatives in soaps, lotions, and makeup and is used to prevent bacteria growth in water based products. Parabens are known endocrine disruptors, mimicking the hormone estrogen, leading to hormonal imbalances which is directly linked to the development of breast cancer. A shocking study (linked here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22237600) found 99% of examined cancerous breast tumors to contain parabens. Some of the most common types you should look for are methylparaben, proplyparaben, isopropylparaben, and isobutylparaben.

Pthalates.

This chemical compound is added to many cosmetics (primarily in fragrances) to prevent plastics from becoming brittle. Also known endocrine disruptors, they are closely correlated with reproductive issues and birth defects. For more information, read my recent article here: https://www.thewellnesswandererblog.com/post/plastic-ky-situation .

Triclosan.

An antibacterial agent found in many hand soaps and body washes, Triclosan was recently banned from use in health care settings. It is known to contribute to antibiotic resistant bacteria, and was shown to cause gut inflammation and tumor growth in mice.

Diethanolamine.

A known carcinogen and respiratory toxin, is one of countless chemicals banned from personal care products in the UK. Often abbreviated to DEA, Diethanolamine is a foaming agent found in shampoos, bubble bath, and body wash.

Oxybenzone.

This is the chemical "sun filter" used in most over the counter sun screens on the market, and can be found in lip balm, moisturizers, and makeup. Oxybenzone is not only a direct cause of skin allergies, it has been found to alter thyroid function. There is still much long term research to be done, but you should avoid chemical sun block altogether, especially in children. Mineral based sun protection products are recommended.

A few others that are believed to be carcinogenic (cancer causing), cause hormonal imbalance, developmental toxicity, and birth defects are:

Polyethyene Glycol (PEG), Toluene, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Fragrance/Parfum, and Formaldehyde.

These are all common ingredients in things like nail polish, over the counter hair dye, lotions, and toothpaste.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) website is a great resource on information regarding personal care and cosmetic toxicity. You can find the latest studies, information on safe, clean products and brands, and ways you can get involved in spreading awareness and being a part of a long overdue, necessary change. Click here to learn more: https://www.ewg.org/key-issues/consumer-products/cosmetics .