You May Be Using These Harmful Chemicals Right Now

Why I became an “all natural” convert.
It all started with propylene glycol. I read an article which stated that this ingredient, which de-ices airplanes and is a coolant and antifreeze, can also be found in your food, cosmetics, and medicine. It is possibly cancer-causing and irritating to your skin, yet it can be found in almost every skin product on sale today.

To be fair, the argument for propylene glycol or PG is that it is safe when used in small quantities. But to me, a little bit in my food, on my skin, and in my medications sure can add up!

Check your labels people!
Most people don’t think anything of putting chemicals on their skin. You may think as long as the moisturizer has a label that states “with shea butter,” it’s good for you. Think again! If you check the label on the back, many moisturizers have mostly chemicals with the “all natural ingredient” close to the end of the list. Now remember that labels list ingredients from the highest percentage to the lowest. So how much of that aloe are you actually getting? Not enough to benefit your skin, that’s for sure.

Make-up.
You may think that creams and makeup are just going to lie on your skin and won’t make a difference. But did you know that most women eat up to five pounds of lipstick a year? I sure don’t want to be eating any Butyl Paraben or propylene in the process! Did you also know that you aren’t supposed to use Retin-A on your skin when you’re pregnant? Why? Because creams can be absorbed through your skin into your bloodstream. So try to use them as little as possible or better yet avoid them altogether!

Three Chemicals to Avoid:
1. Propylene Glycol
This ingredient is used because it can feel cooling to the skin and it also traps moisture in your skin; however, the chemical is known to irritate your eyes and skin. It may also cause liver and kidney damage. Now it may be safe in small quantities, but if you’re using many of these items at once, it will add up.

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09.22.2009
Lakshmi Gosyne
I completely agree Stacy. This was just a "beginners" guide. The more you research into the cosmetics, the more you realize why you need to be using all natural and preferably organic skin care.
09.22.2009
Stacy Malkan
Thanks for writing this piece. I would also add to the list: quaternium 15, the chemical preservative used in many top-selling shampoos and children's products, including Johnson's Baby Shampoo. New medical papers indicate that quaternium 15 may be causing increased rates of contact dermatitis, a skin inflammation that is often misdiagnosed as eczema and treated with unnecessary pharmaceuticals. Read more about it at here: http://safecosmetics.org//article.php?id=569 There's also lots more info about hazardous chemicals in cosmetics in my book, "Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry." -- Stacy Malkan
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