Skin Care : 5 Things That Harm Your SkinNon-Toxic Living August 18, 2003 Published by Erla Charles Consumer awareness articles for my customers, website guests, friends, and family :-} Skin Care: 5 Things that Harm Your SkinHave you ever read the labels on your shampoos, bubble baths, and other cosmetic products? Did you notice the listing of ingredients you have no idea what they are? Would you ever suspect that some of the chemicals listed on the lables could seriously harm you, even the ones you've grown to believe are so safe that you can use them daily on your baby? Are you just assuming that all these chemicals are safe and won't harm you?... Then think again. You may have never heard this before, but the list of harmful ingredients found today in our everyday-use cosmetic products is alarming. Over the past 50+ years, thousands and thousands of chemicals have been introduced into our environment and into the personal care and cosmetics we use. Consequently, in today's toxic world, millions suffer from chemical sensitivity, allergies, asthma, and other chronic illnesses. The chemical invasion over the past 50+ years have been too much, too fast. The body was not created to deal with so many toxic substances all at once coming from different angles. The petrochemicals found in most shampoos, bath soaps, and other cosmetic products are easily absorbed through the scalp and skin, and accummulate over time in our precious body organs and tissues. We often wonder how come cancer has become the #1 killer disease in children. Well... did you know that most baby products contain petroleum by-products and carcinogens? E.g. due to eye-irritation from baby shampoos, an ingredient called ethylene oxide has been added to them. Do a search on the Internet. You will not find one report that disagrees that this is a carcinogen (cancer-causing ingredient). Very few people know about the chemistry of cosmetics, which use components that may result in conditions ranging from dry and acne skin to cancer. Some petrochemicals found in shampoos, bathing soaps, and other cosmetic products are: Mineral OilThis is a petrochemical pollutant and xenohormone. It can have a negative effect on hormonal balance and hinders the skin's natural ability to breathe, attract moisture and detoxify. It is like a saran wrap that suffocates your skin! It tends to slow down cell renewal, and is most likely to cause premature aging (second most harmful after the sun!!) But, since it leaves the skin feeling soft, it creates the illusion of being beneficial. Mineral oil has the tendency to dissolve the skin's own natural oil and thereby increase dehydration (produces dry skin). Mineral oils can be found in the majority of cosmetic products: lipstick, facial creams, body lotions, bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, and sunscreens. And mineral oil is used AS baby oil!!! Mineral oil tends to clog pores (promoting acne), and is phototoxic and allergenic. Mineral oil removes the oil soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) from the skin. Mineral oils have been found to be probably the single greatest cause of breakouts in women who use a new cosmetic product. Considering that we are practically covered in baby oil since we are born, is it any wonder that by the age of 25 we most of us are experiencing dry skin problems (feet, knees, elbows, hands, etc.)? Long-term, mineral oil has the tendency to dissolve the skin's own natural oil and thereby increase dehydration. Short-term, mineral oil may contribute to acne if used on the face, shoulders, and back. PetrolatumExhibits the same potentially harmful properties as Mineral Oil. We all know that baby products are formulated with an enormous amount of petroleum by-products like petrolatum and mineral oil. What we don't know is that petroleum by-products can be contaminated with polycylic hydrocarbons (dangerous carcinogens). Propylene GlycolIn babies, this chemical damages cell membranes, leading to rashes, dry skin, and surface damage of the skin. According to the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of the manufacturers of this chemical, propylene glycol will cause serious health conditions, including liver and heart damage, and damage to the central nervous system if sufficient is absorbed by the body. According to Dr. Epstein of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, "sufficient" is being absorbed by the body because this chemical can be found in so many daily use personal care and cosmetic products, and even in food products. Propylene glycol is found in shampoos, conditioners, shaving gels and creams, body lotions, suncreams, deodorants, baby wipes, and baby lotions. PVP/VA CopolymerPVP stands for PoliVinylPyrrolidone. It is derived from petroleum and is the key ingredient used primarily in hair sprays, mousse, gels, and lotions and solutions. It is also used in many other cosmetic products such as: shampoo, eye-pencil, eye-makeup, lipstick, deodorant, etc. It is capable of causing cosmetic related allergies. Inhaled particles may cause problems in the lungs of sensitive people. BenzeneThis substance is a known bone-marrow poison, yet it is widely used in personal care and cosmetic products. It is carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic. No Warnings Allowed!!The chemical industry would like us to believe that small quantities, or low level exposure to propylene glycol and other petroleum by-products are safe to use every day on the skin and even in food. But YOU are the only one who can make up your mind about whether to put a toxic chemical such as propylene glycol on your skin and on your baby's skin. Petrolatum, paraffin oil, and propylene glycol are common forms of mineral oil, any of which can cause petrochemical hypersensitivity. In spite of all this, no cosmetic manufacturer puts health warnings on their products, and in the U.S., the FDA does not require this information to be on packaging. Another harmful ingredient to watch out for in shampoos, conditioners, bubble baths, facial cleansers, body lotions, etc., is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate, but this is not a petrochemical. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) / | ||
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