The Toxic Ten: What You Won’t Find in Cinta Diri Products

Some guests are just unwelcome—especially ones that slip by under the radar.

With the lack of regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency that regulates the cosmetics industry, companies are allowed to formulate many of these potentially harmful chemicals into the skin and hair care products we use every day. 

You won’t ever find any of these in Cinta Diri products:

1. Parabens

Parabens, ubiquitous in commercially made moisturizers, skin cleansers, sunscreens, shampoos, deodorants, and other personal products, are artificial preservatives used to extend shelf life. Studies have shown them to be hormone disruptors that can also cause allergic reactions.

2. Phthalates

Phthalates (pronounced “THA-lates”) are commonly used in fragrance formulations of most name-brand body care products. But because companies are not required to disclose ingredients used in fragrances, phthalates are rarely listed as an ingredient. Studies link phthalates to hormone interference, increased risk to reproductive and thyroid systems, and possibly also to increased diabetes and asthma risk.

3. Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing preservatives (FRPs) help prevent bacteria growth and extend shelf life of cosmetic products. Found in many skin cleansers, shampoos, and nail polishes, it’s a known carcinogen and may be damaging to immune systems.

4. Propylene glycol

When a chemical is listed as a toxic substance by the US government, you can guess it is probably best to avoid slathering it on your skin. Found in moisturizers, sunscreen, makeup and hair products, propylene glycol is a skin conditioning agent that is also a potential irritant and trigger of allergic dermatitis.

5. Preservatives

Preservatives (like parabens and formaldehyde) help prevent microbes from growing in bottled personal care products. Synthetic preservatives in many cosmetics have been linked to skin allergies, cancer and reproductive health problems.  

6. Fragrance

The EPA and FDA don’t require companies to disclose the specific ingredients in a fragrance added to products—that’s considered a “trade secret.” Companies don’t want consumers to know that the sweet smell covers up a foul fact: these synthetic ingredients can act as neurotoxins and can cause allergies and hormone disruption.

7. Color/Dye

The synthetic colors added to commercial beauty products are derived from petroleum or coal tar sources, and are suspected to be a human carcinogen and skin irritant. The European Union has proposed a ban on artificial colors in foods. (The EU has also banned over 1,300 chemicals from cosmetics; the US has restricted just 11).

8. Petro-chemicals

These chemicals are derived from petroleum—the same oil from which we make gasoline for our cars. Petrochemicals commonly used in beauty products include phthalates and parabens, oxybenzone, and even benign-sounding mineral oil—a possible immune system toxicant and allergen.

9. Lead

Trace levels of lead are found in most lipsticks and some lip products. The heavy metal is a proven neurotoxin that with enough human exposure can cause learning and behavioral problems, hormonal changes and possible reduced fertility in women. 

10. Gluten

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and grain products, but it can found in cosmetic, skin and hair products as well. Individuals with celiac disease, wheat allergy, or gluten sensitivity should avoid gluten when buying skin care products. 

Resources/Links

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

http://safecosmetics.org/

http://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/chemical_factsheets.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-grayson/eco-etiquette-is-my-moist_b_598776.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-cunningham/dangerous-beauty-products_b_4168587.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1253722/

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/danger-drugstore-womens-cosmetics

http://saferchemicals.org/