Toxic ingredients in cosmetics

These 12 ingredients are among those that you must avoid in your cosmetics, they are considered harmful to your health, to wildlife and aquatic species.

1. BHA and BHT:

Found in moisturizers, makeup and other products and is suspected of interfering with hormonal functions and being carcinogenic. They are harmful to fish and wildlife.

2. Dyes derived from coal tar:

p-Phenylenediamine and dyes identified by "CI" followed by five numbers. 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, quarternium-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 poisoning of neurons. Harmful to fish and wildlife.

8. PEGs (e.g. peg-60):

Used in some cosmetic cream bases. it may contain 1,4-dioxane, which is potentially carcinogenic.

9. Petrolatum:

Used in some hair products for shine and as a moisture barrier in lip balms, lipsticks and moisturizers. petrochemical product which may contain carcinogenic impurities.

10. Siloxanes, cyclotetrasiloxanes, cyclopentasiloxanes, cyclohexasiloxanes and cyclomethicones:

Siloxanes are used in cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisturize. Cyclotetrasiloxane is considered an endocrine disruptor and a potentially toxic substance for reproduction. 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 sulphate:

Found in foaming products such as shampoos, cleansers and bath products. It may contain dioxane, which is potentially carcinogenic.

Talc:

Contains a substance called asbestos, known to cause lung cancer when inhaled. Use near the genitals, talc would be at risk of causing ovarian cancer.
Talc is found in makeup, baby powders and powders for adults.

References and further information on health and environmental concerns can be found at www.davidsuzuki.org/en/12-ingredients-to-avoid