Are you aware of the chemicals in the products that you are using in day to day life? If not, then it’s high time that we become aware of the ingredients used in these products.
Please note that the below is not the complete list, but it’ll make us aware of the ingredients that are being used in our daily use products ranging from face wash to creams, lotions, toothpaste, shampoos etc.
1. Cocoamide DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine) & TEA (triethanolamine)– Hormone-disrupting chemicals that can form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamines, and is related to liver and kidney cancer and inhibits fetal brain development.
2. Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol: easily penetrates the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. It is considered so toxic that it can cause brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities.
3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Used in detergents and surfactants and in personal-care products. It can lead to eye damage, depression, breathing troubles, diarrhea, severe skin irritation. SLS may also damage the skins immune system. When combined with other chemicals, SLS can be transformed into carcinogens that causes cancer.
4. Mineral Oil: petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging.
5.Triclosan & Triclocarban: Antimicrobial pesticides in liquid soap (triclosan) or soap bars (triclocarban), very toxic to the aquatic environment. Triclosan disrupts thyroid function and reproductive hormones. It is classified as a chlorophenol, suspected of causing cancer in humans.
6. Benzalkonium chloride: Biocide, preservative and surfactant associated with severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergies, asthma or skin conditions like eczema. It is found in many household disinfectants and cleaning supplies.
7. BHA: again anticipated to be a human carcinogen. It can cause skin de-pigmentation. In cases BHA produces liver damage and causes stomach cancers such as papillomas and carcinomas and interferes with normal reproductive system development and thyroid hormone levels.
8. Coal tar hair dyes and other coal tar ingredients (including Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, Phenylenediamine): Coal tar, a byproduct of coal processing, is a known human carcinogen.
9. Formaldehyde / DMDM hydantoin & bronopol (2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol): Cosmetics preservatives that decompose and release formaldehyde , which is known as human carcinogen. This can trigger allergic reactions. Formaldehyde is also an asthmagen, neurotoxicant and developmental toxicant.
10. Fragrance or Parfum: Fragrances are in everything from shampoo to deodorant to lotion. Fragrances can contain hormone disruptors and are among the top 5 allergens in the world.
11. Hydroquinone: A skin bleaching chemical that can cause a skin disease called ochronosis . It can cause tumor development.
12. Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone: Preservatives, commonly used together in personal care products, among the most common irritants, sensitizers and causes of allergy Lab studies on brain cells suggest that methylisothiazolinone may be neurotoxic.
13. Oxybenzone has been linked to irritation, sensitization and allergies. Studies indicate that oxybenzone and its metabolites may disrupt the hormone system.
14. Parabens (Propyl, Isopropyl, Butyl, and Isobutylparabens): Parabens are estrogen-mimicking preservatives, found in breast cancer tumors. According to the study, longer chain parabens like propyl and butyl paraben and their branched counterparts, isopropyl and isobutylparabens, may disrupt the endocrine system and cause reproductive and developmental disorders.
15. PEG/Ceteareth/Polyethylene compounds: These synthetic chemicals are frequently contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which is considered a human carcinogen and which readily penetrates the skin.
16. Petroleum distillates:They may cause contact dermatitis and are often contaminated with cancer-causing impurities. They are produced in oil refineries at the same time as automobile fuel, heating oil etc
17. Phthalates: This chemical is linked to male reproductive system disorders. Pregnant women should avoid nail polish containing dibutyl phathalate. Everyone should avoid products with “fragrance” indicating a chemical mixture that may contain phthalates.
18. Resorcinol: Common ingredient in hair color and bleaching products; skin irritant, toxic to the immune system and frequent cause of hair dye allergy. It can disrupt normal thyroid function.
19. Toluene: Volatile petrochemical solvent and paint thinner and potent neurotoxicant that acts as an irritant, impairs breathing and causes nausea. A pregnant woman’s exposure to toluene vapors during pregnancy may impair fetal development. Toluene has been associated with toxicity to the immune system. Some evidence suggests a link to malignant lymphoma.
