Sciences:

Skin is our body's largest and fastest-growing organ. Skin is our body's coat. It protects us. It helps us stay warm when it's cold, and cool when it's hot. When our skin exposed to chemicals it will breaks the skin barrier to reach the bloodstream. Whether this chemical becomes a risk is determined by what occurs after absorption. Our body can filter out the chemical via bodily fluid or bioaccumulation occurs. Often if toxic chemicals that accumulated over times will cause allergic skin reactions and affecting other body systems. Thus, it’s important for us to choose a true natural and organic skincare products to minimize the risk of toxic load to our body.

 

Chemical of Concerns:

Chemicals

Health and Environmental Concern

1,2,3-Benzotriazole

High Health Hazard. Skin and eye irritant and classified as a carcinogen.

Ammonia

Ammonia can be irritating to the eyes and skin, and can be severely iritating if inhaled. Toxic to Aquatic life

Benzalkonium Chloride

High health hazard. Benzalkonium chloride is classified as a skin, eye and lung irritant and is very toxic to aquatic life.

BHA/BHT

Used mainly in moisturizers and makeup as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disruptors and may cause cancer (BHA). Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

Cocamide DEA/MEA/TEA

High Health Hazard. Cocamide DEA is classified as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' and has contamination concerns.
Used in creamy and foaming products, such as moisturizers and shampoos. Can react to form nitrosamines, which may cause cancer. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

High Health Hazard. Harsh skin and eye irritant.

Dimethicone

High Health Hazard. Dimethicone is a type of Silicone which are slow to biodegrade and can form an impermeable layer on hair and skin.

Phthalate (Dibutyl phthalate)

Used as a plasticizer in some nail care products. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.
Banned from cosmetics in the European Union, phthalates are widely used in color cosmetics, fragranced lotions, body washes and other products sold in the United States.

DMDM hydantoin

 Slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.

Diazolidinyl urea

 Slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.

Ethanolamine

High Health Hazard. Ethanolamine is very harsh on skin anad eyes and can be contaminated with carcinogenic ingredients.

Imidazolidinyl urea

Slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.

Isothiazolinones

High Health hazard. Isothiazolinones such as MIT, MCIT and BIT are known skin sensitizers and can cause Allergic Contact Dermatitis.

Paraben (Methylparaben/ Propylparaben/ Butylparaben)

High Health Hazard. There is a high level of evidence for Parabens being endocrine disruptors and interfering with Hormone regulation in the body.
Used in a variety of cosmetics as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disrupters and may interfere with male reproductive functions

Methenamine

Slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.

Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone

Found in Shampoo, conditioner, hair color, body wash, lotion, sunscreen, mascara, shaving cream, baby lotion, baby shampoo, hairspray, makeup remover, liquid soaps and detergents.
Look out for Methylisothiazolinone (MIT): 2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one, Neolone 950 preservative, MI, OriStar MIT and Microcare MT. Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT): 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and MCI.

Mineral Oil

Derived from non - renewable resources.

Octinoxate

An endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen, octinoxate is found in hair color products and shampoos, sunscreen, lipstick, nail polish, skin creams.

Petrolatum/petroleum jelly

Used in some hair products for shine and as a moisture barrier in some lip balms, lip sticks and moisturizers. A petroleum product that can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may cause cancer.
Petrolatum is a byproduct of petroleum refining. With a melting point close to body temperature, petrolatum softens upon application and forms a water-repellant film around the applied area, creating an effective barrier against the evaporation of the skin’s natural moisture and foreign particles or microorganisms that may cause infection. Petrolatum is odorless and colorless, and it has an inherently long shelf life. These qualities make petrolatum a popular ingredient in skincare products and cosmetics.
When properly refined, petrolatum has no known health concerns. However, with an incomplete refining history, petrolatum could potentially be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. PAHs are byproducts of organic material combustion, commonly stored in fats upon exposure due to its lipophilic properties. There is no way to confirm proper refinement unless a complete refining history is provided.

Phosphates

Environmental Hazard. Can cause death of Aquatic ecosystems

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)

High Health Hazard.  Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer. Also for related chemical propylene glycol and other ingredients with the letters "eth" (e.g., polyethylene glycol).
Used in many cosmetic cream bases.

Propylene glycol

High Health Hazard. Skin, eye and Lung irritant and possible organ system toxicity. Irritation can be seen at low inclusion rates of Propylene Glycol

Siloxanes

Look for ingredients ending in "-siloxane" or "-methicone." Used in a variety of cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane). Harmful to fish and other wildlife

Sodium Hypochlorite

High Health Hazard. Sodium Hypochlorite is a skin and eye irritant and is environmentally toxic.

Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES)/ Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)

High Health Hazard. 1,4 dioxane contamination concerns.
Used in foaming cosmetics, such as shampoos, cleansers and bubble bath. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer. Look also for related chemical sodium lauryl sulfate and other ingredients with the letters "eth" (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate)

Synthetic Beeswax

High Health Hazards. The substances used to make Synthetic beeswax can be harmful for Human health. Sourced from non-renewable hydrocarbons.

Synthetic dyes

High Health Hazard, Synthetic dyes can be harmful for Human health and for the environment.

Triclosan

High Health Hazard. Triclosan is a skin, eye and lung irritant. It has associated chronic health concerns and has the ability to persist in the environment and bio accumulate.
Used in antibacterial cosmetics, such as toothpastes, cleansers and antiperspirants. Suspected endocrine disrupter and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

Trisodium NTA

High Health Hazard. Possibly Carcinogenic.

Quarternium-15

Slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.
Known skin toxicant and allergen, may be especially dangerous for hairdressers and janitors, who are sometimes exposed to this formaldehyde-releasing chemical at regular doses for long periods of time.
Found in hair conditioners, hair styling products, creams, lotions, cleansers, shaving products, eye drops contact solutions and household cleaning products.
Look out for benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, quaternium-15, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, centrimonium bromide, polyquaternium – followed by a number (i.e. polyquaternium-7).