At a recent networking luncheon, I listened to a woman talk about why she started to work for her current company. She saw an alarming number of people in her community get diagnosed with cancer. She soon learned that there were chemicals in our everyday products that had been proven to cause cancer. Her solution was realized, when she started working for a company called Melaleuca. So, with her new venture, she decided to share what she had learned with her friends and family. She's now an advocate for others and spreads the word about the damaging effects of these toxins in our personal care products & beauty products.
We've already switched out the old toxic products for some new healthier products at the UCAAN Office. Maybe it's time for you to change? Below we've included a few of our favorite options. Enjoy!
Before buying a product, we suggest looking up the toxicity level of the ingredients on the label - you're better off to be well informed than under or uninformed. The Environmental Working Group is the best place to search the ingredients in products you use and to find out the level of toxicity that it is. Check out the EWG Here!
The Best in Aromatherapy - John Steele in Sherman Oaks. Essential Oils by John Steele
You can also find John's oil blends at Capitol Drugs Pharmacy in Sherman Oaks
Ferris-Farms, Aleen Ferris creates amazing essential oil blended products - from perfumes to bars of soap and more!! Ferris Farms
Alabaster Box Soaps - All natural hand crafted artisan soaps created by a fellow cancer warrior. Unique custom quality scented soaps. David C. Fleming info@alabasterboxsoaps.com 213-928-7790. My Personal Favorites include: Honey Oatmeal Vanilla Lavender, African Green Musk, Frankincense & Myrrh, Honeysuckle and Cucumber Melon. Click for more info!
AvaAnderson - Quality Products without Harmful Chemicals:AvaAnderson NonToxic/
Melaleuca is serious about getting harmful and toxic ingredients out of your home. Melaleuca cleaning products use the best of science and nature to combine for the safest most effective
cleaning. Learn about just a few of our natural solutions to some of the toughest cleaning challenges in your home. If you don’tt have a Melaleuca membership yet, now is the time! Check out this new way of shopping while saving money for products you already have in your home that are better for us and our environment.
The best part is setting up your account today will benefit UCAAN now and in the future: 5% of your redirected purchase goes to UCAAN. This is a great way to give back while doing everyday shopping. For more information contact: Lisa Sepe 805-242-1133 lisasepe@gmail.com www.lisasepe.advancingwithus.com
Chemicals in Your Current Products to Watch Out For
In your beauty products
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1. Lead: It seems crazy, but according to the Campaign for safe cosmetics (CSC), more than 60% of popular lipsticks contain lead. Brands with the highest lead levels were L’Oreal, Maybelline, Cover Girl and Revlon. And an FDA study found lead in hundreds of lipsticks (five of the 10 most lead-contaminated were made by L’Oreal). Lead is a proven neurotoxin, and its particularly dangerous for pregnant women and children.
2. Triclosan: Triclosan is a suspected endocrine disrupter, meaning it messes with your hormones and could lead to fertility problems (in men and women), breast cancer and thyroid issues (they’re particularly dangerous for fetuses and tween/teen girls). Because triclosan is antimicrobial, it’s found in deodorants, toothpaste and soap (including Bath & Body Works soaps). But studies have shown no evidence that it's better than soap and water at killing germs.
3. Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is present in more beauty products than you’d think, even though it's been classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Though there’s been outcry about formaldehyde in chemical hair straighteners, it can also be found in nail polish, face wash and makeup. DMDM-Hydantoin, a preservative that releases formaldehyde, is also common in shampoos.
4. Toluene: Found in nail polish, perfume and hair dye, toluene can cause dizziness, headaches and skin irritation. It also poses special danger to developing fetuses, upping risk of both miscarriage in moms and birth defects in babies. The European Union banned its use in cosmetics in 2004. It might also appear on labels as phenylmethane, methylbenzene, or toluol.
5. Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is one of the most toxic chemicals still used in cosmetics today. A carcinogen in and of itself, it can also increase exposure to UV rays (thereby upping risk for skin cancer, too). It’s most commonly found in skin-lightening products, but it’s also found in hair relaxers, hair dye, hair-extension glue, hair removers and sunless tanning products. The FDA moved to ban its use in these products back in 2006, but never has.
6. Phthalates: Used to preserve color and scents in makeup, phthalates are endocrine disruptors that have been linked to cancer, sperm damage and reproductive problems. Phthalates are often added to synthetic fragrances, which are uber-common in soaps, lotions, cleansers and hair care products. Because products are allowed to list a "fragrance" as an ingredient without specifying what that means, many products contain phthalates even though their ingredient lists don’t.
7. Parabens: Used as a preservative in cosmetics, shampoos and lotions, parabens are also endocrine disruptors that have been linked to breast cancer and male reproductive problems. Look out for ingredients methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben and propylparaben.
( This is a previously published article and can be found at: Toxins in beauty products )
Toxic Chemicals in Your Personal Care Products
The article that I found online has a startling statistic: The average adult uses nine personal care products a day, with roughly 120 chemicals spread among them, many of which are incompletely tested for toxicity.Do you know whats in your products that you use for you and your family?
1. Synthetic fragrances often contain phthalates (pronounced THAY-lates), synthetic chemicals commonly used to stabilize fragrances and make plastic more pliable. These endocrine disrupters mimic hormones and may alter genital development. Avoid products that list fragrance as an ingredient unless the label states that it’s derived from essentials oils,
or look for a phthalate-free label on the packaging.
2. Parabens, ubiquitous in skincare, preserve other ingredients and extend a product’s shelf life–but these antimicrobial chemicals also have hormone-disrupting effects.
3. Ureas, formally known as diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, or DMDM hydantoin and sodium hydroxymethyl-glycinate, are preservatives that have the potential to release formaldehyde in very small amounts and are a primary cause of contact dermatitis.
4. 1,4-dioxane, a chemical carcinogen, is created when ingredients are processed with petroleum-derived ethylene oxide. Common ethoxylated compounds include sodium laureth sulfate and polyethylene glycol (often listed as PEG). To avoid it, skip any product with the following ingredients: myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth (or any other -eth), PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, or oxynol.
5. Petrochemicals are derived from crude oil. Petroleum-based ingredients such as petrolatum, mineral oil, and paraffin (derived from nonrenewable sources) form a barrier when applied to the skin that does not allow it to breathe and can clog pores.
6. MEA/DEA/TEA are “amines” (ammonia compounds) and can form harmful nitrosamines when they come in contact with nitrates. Used as foaming agents, synthetic stabilizers, and to adjust the pH of cosmetics, they can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation, and dryness of the hair and skin.
7. Sulfates, such as sodium lauryl and sodium laureth, are harsh detergents that give cleansers, soaps, and shampoos their latherability. Often derived from petroleum, sulfates can also come from coconut and other vegetable oils that can be contaminated with pesticides. Sulfates can cause eye irritation and skin rashes.
8. Chemical sunscreens, such as oxybenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate, have been shown to disrupt endocrine activity. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are safer alternatives.
9. Quats, such as benzalkonium chloride, steardimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, and cetrimonium chloride, give a positive charge to conditioners in order to prevent static. They are necessary for conditioners, but we have allowed only the mildest quats in our Beauty With a Conscience standard: guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, hydroxypropyltrimonium oligosaccharide, and SugaQuats.
10. Antibacterial compounds, such as triclosan and chlorphenesin, do not break down in the environment and may contribute to bacterial resistance.
11. Synthetic polymers, such as sodium polyacrylate and carbomer, come from petroleum and give viscosity to skincare products. They are highly processed and their manufacture
creates toxic by-products.
12. Synthetic colors are made from coal tar. They contain heavy metal salts that may deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number.
13. Chelators, such as disodium EDTA and tetrasodium EDTA, are used in personal care products to remove impurities from low-quality raw materials. They do not readily biode-
grade in the environment.
14. Nanos are a new technology with inconclusive but potentially hazardous study results. Research suggests that when tiny nano particles penetrate the skin, they may cause
cell damage.
15. Animal testing: A grim history of cruelty to animals lies behind many cosmetic ingredients. But scientists are developing new technologies to test cosmetics before a European Union ban on animal testing begins in March 2009.
This is a previously published article and can be found: Toxic Home
