Brands love to promote their products paraben-free, phthalate-free... but what about all the other harmful ingredients? My second major discovery about harmful ingredients in cosmetics, which was particularly revealing for me, I owe to David Suzuki, the famous environmental activist. It was when I stumbled upon his Responsible Consumer Guide that my eyes were truly opened: 12 toxic substances to avoid in your cosmetics. So here are these 12 substances. I've added another ingredient to this list that is known to be very harmful to your health.
1. BHA and BHT:
Found in moisturizers, makeup, and other products, they are suspected of interfering with hormonal functions and being carcinogenic. They are harmful to fish and wildlife.
2. Coal tar dyes:
P-phenylenediamine and dyes identified by "CI" followed by five digits. P-phenylenediamine is used in some hair dyes; other colors are used in many cosmetic products. They could be carcinogenic and contain heavy metals toxic to the brain.
3. DEA, cocamide DEA, and lauramide DEA:
Found in creamy and foaming cosmetics such as moisturizers and shampoos. In combination with other substances, they can form carcinogenic nitrosamines. They are also harmful to fish and wildlife.
4. Dibutyl phthalate:
Dibutyl phthalate is used as a plasticizer in nail products. It is considered toxic to reproduction and suspected of interfering with hormonal function. Harmful to fish and wildlife.
5. Formaldehyde releasers:
DmDm hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quaternium-15, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate. These preservatives are used in a wide range of cosmetic products. They slowly and continuously release small amounts of formaldehyde, a carcinogenic substance.
6. Paraben, methylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben:
Parabens are widely used as preservatives. They are considered endocrine disruptors and could interfere with male reproductive functions.
7. Fragrances:
Mixture of chemicals that can trigger allergies and asthma; some are associated with cancer and neuronal toxicity. Harmful to fish and wildlife.
8. PEGs (e.g., peg-60):
Used in some cosmetic cream bases. It may contain 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen.
9. Petrolatum:
Used in some hair products for shine and as a moisturizing barrier in lip balms, lipsticks, and moisturizers. A petrochemical that may contain carcinogenic impurities.
10. Siloxanes, cyclotetrasiloxanes, cyclopentasiloxanes, cyclohexasiloxanes, and cyclomethicones:
Siloxanes are used in cosmetic products to soften, smooth, and moisturize. Cyclotetrasiloxane is considered an endocrine disruptor and a potentially reproductive toxic substance. Harmful to fish and wildlife. Found in foaming products such as shampoos, cleansers, and bath products.
11. Triclosan:
Found in antibacterial products such as toothpaste, cleansers, and antiperspirants. It is suspected of interfering with hormonal function and contributing to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Harmful to fish and wildlife.
12. Sodium laureth sulfate:
Found in foaming products such as shampoos, cleansers, and bath products. It may contain dioxane, a potential carcinogen.
Talc:
Contains a substance called asbestos, known to cause lung cancer when inhaled. Used near the genitals, talc may be at risk of causing ovarian cancer. Talc is found in makeup, baby powders, and adult powders.
References and further information on health and environmental concerns can be found at www.davidsuzuki.org/fr/12-ingredients-a-eviter
