CHEMICAL 'NAUGHTIES'

WHAT CHEMICALS SHOULD I BE AVOIDING IN MY SKIN AND
BODY PRODUCTS AND WHY?
Look at our list below of chemical ‘naughties’ to discover what these potentially harmful substances are used for and what they can do to your body. Try to avoid using products containing these ‘naughties’ and switch to more natural ingredients.

This list is by no means exhaustive.

AHA’s – Alpha-hydroxy acids (also known as fruit acids, glycolic acid, lactic acid)
Used in cosmetic products as moisturisers, emollients and exfoliants. These can penetrate the skin and increase sensitivity to sunlight, leading to skin ageing the risk of sun-related skin cancers.
BHT – Butylated Hydroxytoluene
A preservative and antioxidant that is possibly an allergen and it has been linked to possible behavioural effects, reproductive failures and it is not allowed in baby food.
BUTYLENE GLYCOL
(See Propylene Glycol)
DEA - DIETHANOLAMINE
MEA - MONOETHANOLAMINE
TEA – TRIETHANOLAMINE
These synthetic compounds found in many cosmetics and skin products are used to regulate pH and they are known to be harmful and can cause severe facial and contact dermatitis, eye problems, dryness of skin and hair and if absorbed into the body over a long period of time, could be toxic. There is also a danger that they can become contaminated with nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic (cancer causing). These chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to the carcinogenic effects.
FRAGRANCE – Parfum or Aroma
Parfum or fragrance in a product can in
fact be any number of chemicals (up to four thousand), which don’t have to be listed separately and therefore could be anything. It can exacerbate asthmatic symptoms and may contain chemicals linked to cancer, damaging to the liver and kidneys and toxic to the nervous system. For example, a product may state it has Lavender in it but
looking at the ingredients list you don’t see ‘Lavandula Angustifolia’, you see the word ‘parfum’ which will be several synthetic chemicals that scientists have developed in a laboratory to smell like Lavender. Always
check the ingredients to be sure.
PARABENS – Alkyl parahydroxy benzoates (or butyl/methyl/ethyl/propyl/isobutyl paraben)
Parabens are highly toxic preservatives, used to inhibit microbial growth and to increase the shelf life of products. Found in many cosmetics and toiletries, Parabens are oestrogen mimics and can penetrate the skin, causing irritation, redness, itching and pain. They can also cause allergic skin reactions and irritation, redness and pain to eyes and they are harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Parabens are widely used despite the risks of skin reactions, rashes and eye complaints.
PHTHALATES – Dibutyl (DBT), di(2-thylhexyl) (DEHP), di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
These are toxic gender bending chemicals, used as plasticizers to soften plastic, skin moisturisers and skin penetrating enhancers in cosmetics and are found in most perfumes, hairsprays, nail polishes and some cosmetics. DBP and DEHP are on the EU list of banned substances to be phased out. These highly dangerous chemicals are readily absorbed into the system, are linked to asthma and allergic reactions, they can disrupt hormones and cause birth defects and are implicated with low sperm counts and causing sexual abnormalities. Studies have shown that DBP, DEHP and BBP can cause serious reproductive and developmental effects in lab animals (Natura does not condone animal testing). Phthalates are also linked to premature breast development in young girls and they can also disrupt hormones.
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL – (PEG) Compounds (Also known as Polyoxyethylene Glycol and Poly(ethan-1,2-diol) E.g. PEG-5
A large range of synthetic compounds used in many cosmetic products as surfactants (cleaning agents), emulsifiers (chemicals to help oil and water mix) and thickeners. They can alter the skin’s natural moisture factor and even reduce it, which could increase skin ageing and encourage bacteria to penetrate. They are potentially carcinogenic (cancer causing) by forming 1,4-dioxane and are also used in spray-on caustic oven cleaners.
PPD – P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE
(or Para-phenylene-diamine)
Found in hair dyes, this chemical is linked to cancer in workers using it, it is associated with allergic reactions and it’s known to penetrate the skin and cause skin irritation.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL - (Also known as Propan-1,2-diol, PG, Propylenglycolum)
Found in shampoo, make-up, soaps, deodorants, body and sun lotions (to name but a few), it is used as a humectant (to retain moisture) and as a solvent (for dissolving other substances) especially in herbal extracts. A toxic chemical derived from petroleum, it can penetrate the outer layer of skin and carry other ingredients deeper. It can weaken protein and cellular structure and it is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats. It must be disposed of by burying in the ground and it is a known skin, eye and respiratory irritant and it may cause contact dermatitis, eye irritation and conjunctivitis, if inhaled it may cause respiratory and throat irritation and blood and kidney disorders and it is also linked to depression of the central nervous system. If ingested, Propylene Glycol can cause pulmonary oedema, brain damage and low
blood sugar and may even cause death.
SODIUM LAURYL / LAURETH SULPHATE – SLS / SLES (Also known as Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate)
Found in ninety per cent of products that foam, including bath and shower products, shampoo and toothpaste, SLS and SLES are synthetic detergents derived from coconut oils and have been classified as severe skin and eye irritants and they can also irritate the respiratory tract and mucous membranes. There is some evidence to suggest they can damage the liver, lungs, immune system and reproductive function and cause contact eczema. These nasty chemicals are often disguised in semi- natural products with the description ‘comes from coconut’ but in laboratory tests animals exposed to SLS, suffered from eye damage, depression, breathing difficulties, severe skin irritation, diarrhoea, skin corrosion and even death. (Natura does not condone animal testing). SLS and SLES are used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and as engine degreasers and they can become contaminated with nitrosamines, which
are carcinogenic (cancer causing). Studies also suggest that SLS and SLES can prevent children’s eyes from developing properly.
TOLUENE – (Also known as Toloul or Methylbenzene)
Found in lacquers and nail polishes, Toluene is very harmful and it can be absorbed through the skin. If swallowed it could be fatal, if inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, it is harmful. Occupational studies show that women exposed to Toluene are likely to experience spontaneous abortions. It can irritate the skin and cause liver damage, is narcotic in high concentrations, is volatile, flammable and can attack the central
nervous system, eyes, blood, liver, kidneys and skin. Symptoms of overexposure can include fatigue, headaches, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, pins and needles and numbness. Very high concentrations can cause unconsciousness and death.
TRICLOSAN – (5-Chloro-2(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-phenol) (Trade name –Microban)
Found mainly in roll-on, stick and gel deodorants, but also used as a preservative in some mouthwashes, toothpastes, liquid soaps and even clothing, Triclosan is a synthetic compound that is known to be bio
accumulative (it builds up in fatty tissue and can’t be properly broken down). It has been found in human breast milk and in fish and when it is manufactured, incinerated or exposed to sunlight, it can form dioxins,
which are linked to cancer.
XYLENE – (Also known as Xylol or Dimethylbenzene)
Found in lacquers and nail polishes, this chemical can cause irritation to skin and the respiratory tract, damage the liver and it is narcotic in high concentrations.

(Information courtesy of the Women’s Environmental Network.)

For more information on harmful chemicals in cosmetics and toiletries, please visit the websites listed on the links page.