Omitting Petrochemicals: Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, GMOs

Why should you worry about using products that contain the chemicals listed above? The skin is a super-absorber of substances both good and bad, and the products you put on your skin end up in your body. On average, consumers use about 10 personal care products containing 126 ingredients per day. The government does not require health studies or pre-market testing for these products. The FDA has a GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) list, but almost every chemical is included in that list.

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives found in many skincare products. You can spot them easily on the product label because they end with the word paraben. Examples include: methylparaben, proplyparaben, isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, butylparaben, and sodium butylparaben.
Although the FDA has determined that parabens are safe for inclusion in skincare products, many scientist and layperson alike agree that they are not a wise choice. One reason has to do with the chemical structure of a paraben, which is close to that of estrogen and can fit into estrogen receptors at the cellular level. This is not good because research suggests that when this happens, the delicate endocrine (hormone) system is disturbed and may eventually lead to breast and other forms of cancer.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemical compounds that are used as plasticizers – ingredients that give plastics their elasticity and change the texture and quality of skincare products. The most widely used phthalates are di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP). There are many other forms too. Just check the ingredient label for words ending in phthalate. Butyl ester and plasticizer are other words to watch for.
As with parabens, phthalates are considered estrogen disruptors and the cause of reproductive problems, especially in males. They also have been indicated as causing fat-related health risks.
A University of Rochester Medical Center study connected common chemicals to rising obesity rates. The analysis found that several phthalate metabolites showed a positive correlation with abdominal obesity. Men with the highest levels of phthalates in their urine had more belly fat and insulin resistance. Researchers adjusted for other factors that could influence the results, such as the men’s age, race, food intake, physical activity levels and smoking. (8) Who wants their skincare products adding to the already difficult task of battling the bulge?

Sulfates

Ingredients to look for include: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Myreth Sulfate. These ingredients generally act as detergents or foaming agents and are found in cleansers and shampoos.
Tests show that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can penetrate into the eyes as well as systemic tissues (brain, heart, liver, etc.) and show long-term retention in those tissues, especially when used in soaps and shampoos. This is especially important in infants, where considerable growth is occurring and because a much greater uptake occurs in the tissue of younger eyes. SLS also changes the amounts of some proteins in cells in eye tissue of all ages.
SLS forms nitrates. When SLS is used in shampoos and cleansers containing nitrogen-based ingredients, it can form carcinogenic nitrates that can enter the blood stream in large numbers. They can cause eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions.
As well as containg GMO's, most products today are made from petrochemical derivatives of non renewable crude oil. Many lotions, cosmetics and other product have mineral-oil base--and mineral oil is a petrochemical. Mineral oil is such a common ingredient that you may be applying this petrochemical to your skin daily.
Cancer and health risk experts just concluded reviews that indicate mainstream cosmetics and personal hygiene products pose the highest cancer risk exposures to the general public, higher than smoking.
After cosmetologists complained of headaches, loss of balance, memory loss, asthma, nervous system damage and respiratory damage in a 1989 government hearing on the safety of cosmetics, a House sub-committee called for the analysis of nearly 3,000 chemicals used in cosmetics.
The results were disturbing. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health studied 2,983 ingredients and found 884 to be toxic. Of the 884 toxic ingredients, biological mutations could be caused by 314, reproductive problems by 218, acute toxicity by 778, cancer tumors by 146, and skin and eye irritation by 376. And they are still being used!

Easily Recognizable Petrochemicals and Harmful Ingredients:

Mineral Oil
Petrolatum
Petroleum
Artificial Dyes
Artificial Colors
Artificial Fragrances
Sodium Fluoride
Collagen
Citric Acid
Corn Starch
Glycerin
Lecithin
Soy Isoflavones
Hydrolized soy protein
Sugar
Lauric Acid

Ingredients that are often or usually from GMO's:

Xanthan Gum
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin E (Tocopheral)
Cosmetic ingredients potentially derived from Genetically Modified Organisms include ingredients such as corn oil, corn flour, soybean oil, lecithin and proteins produced by yeast. These are just a few of the common ingredients in personal care that are often genetically modified. There are many, many more.

The best way to avoid the Genetically Modified Organisms in your products is to buy CERTIFIED Organic.

Take charge of your health today by using a combination of botanicals vitamins, and herbs that work synergistically together to promote healing, anti-aging, moisturizing and healthy living.
http://www.nogmo4michigan.org/toxin_awareness_gmo_s_in_our_toiletries

Support the Safe Cosmetics Act!

The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 (H.R.2359) gives consumers, parents and environmental health advocates a real chance at national legislation that will eliminate harmful chemicals from the products women, men and children put on their bodies every day.

It's EASY! Just copy and paste the link below into your web browser!

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5500/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=702