Be Sensible About Skin Care

We may be an aging population driven by Baby Boomers, but these 40-60 year olds aren't the only demographic interested in healthier, younger-looking skin. In the age of Botox®, when plastic surgery is more of a norm than the exception and a lunchtime chemical peel is an everyday occurrence—the pursuit of vanity and the quest for effective anti-aging skin treatments takes center stage—but at what expense?

With thousands of products, treatments, solutions and systems to choose from, it's often hard to make a decision. Many people turn to department store professionals for skin care advice. And while these high-end cosmetic consultants can quickly match your skin color or show you the latest techniques for applying your lip liner, most are ill-prepared to discuss, in detail, the active ingredients in their products.

Another large percentage of us are influenced by the mass marketing of huge national brands, and while their commercials and ads are compelling and persuasive and their spokespersons undeniably youthful and attractive, what do they tell us about the active ingredients? It isn't until you have the bottle in your hand that you can actually see what's in it, and even then do you know what you're looking at? Would you know what ingredients you should have? More importantly, would you know what ingredient to look out for?

If this seems a bit overwhelming, you're not alone. Many of us have struggled with the same type of questions. If you’re like most, you’ve probably been more concerned about the way it looks and what it might do for your skin that what’s actually in it. The problem of course is that the ingredient implications are much more than skin deep.

Your skin isn’t just the biggest organ on your body. It functions as a sponge pulling everything it comes in contact with through the layers of your skin, into your bloodstream and potentially into your organs. As such, it’s imperative that you take the time to look over the labels of products in your medicine cabinet and under your skin, and get familiar with ingredients that may be harmful or toxic like: propylene glycol, butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol dimethicone, cyclomethicone, triethanolamine, mineral oil, isopropyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate, urea, DMDM hydantoin, sodium hydroxide, FD &C color pigments and fragrances.

PROPYLENE & BUTYLENE GLYCOL (PG): As a "surfactant" or wetting agent and solvent, this ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpaste. It is also used in food processing. Because of its ability to quickly penetrate the skin, the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with this toxic substance. The Material Safety Data Sheets warn against skin contact, as PG has systemic consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Consumers are not protected nor is there a warning label on products such as Stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than that in most industrial applications.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): Is used in making cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. Because of their effectiveness, PEG's are often used in caustic spray on oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products. PEG's contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic.

Dimethicone & Cyclomethicone: More than 1700 personal care products on the market today—including cosmetics, sunscreens, shampoos, antiperspirants and lotions contain Dimethicone. Dimethicone is a silicone-based oil which is used as an emollient to help make a lotion or cream feel slick and smooth when it is applied on your skin. It forms a barrier layer on the skin which must be renewed as the skin sloughs off. Another 800 products like foundation, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, blush and acne treatments contain Cyclomethicone. These emollients are also considered occlusive which means they coat the skin, trapping anything beneath it and do not allow the skin to breathe (much like plastic wrap would do.) Recent studies have indicated that prolonged exposure of the skin to sweat, by occlusion, causes skin irritation. Both Dimethicone and Cyclomethicone are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects.

DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (triethanolamine): DEA and MEA are usual listed on the ingredients label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. . These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. On the show, CBS This Morning, Roberta Baskin revealed that a recent government report shows DEA and MEA are readily absorbed in the skin. Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois said "repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of two cancers - liver and kidney cancers." John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especial important since "the risk equation changes significantly for children."

MINERAL OIL: The best baby oil is made from almonds. But the oil which being sold as baby oil is 100% mineral oil. This commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin just like plastic wrap. The skins natural skin barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture factor (moisture and nutrition). The skins ability to release toxins is impeded by this "plastic wrap," which can promote acne and other disorders. This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age.

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: This is a drying, irritating solvent that strips skin’s moisture and immune barrier, making you vulnerable to bacteria and viruses. Isopropyl alcohol is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics. This petroleum-derived substance is also used in antifreeze and as a solvent in shellac. Promotes brown spots and premature aging. According to A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, inhalation or ingestion of the vapor may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis and even coma. Fatal ingested dose is one ounce or less.

Phthalates: Toxic gender bending chemical used as a plasticizer in food wraps and many pliable plastics and containers. Also used in hairsprays and some cosmetics including nail varnishes from where it is readily absorbed into the system. All 289 people in a recent test for body load of chemicals tested positive for phthalates. Phthalates are implicated with low sperm counts and also causing sexual abnormalities and deformities.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Used as detergents and surfactants, these closely related compounds are found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. Yet both SLS and SLES are used more widely as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste, hair conditioner and about 90% of all shampoos and products that foam. Mark Fearer in an article, Dangerous Beauty, says, "...in tests, animals that were exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, along with depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and corrosion and death." According to the American College of Toxicology states both SLS and SLES can cause malformation in children's eyes. Other research has indicated SLS may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin. Skin layers may separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties. It is possibly the most dangerous of ad ingredients in personal care products. Research has shown that SLS when combined with other chemicals can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which causes the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate contaminated food." According to the American College of Toxicity report, "SLS stays in the body for up to five days..." Other studies have indicated that SLS easily penetrates through the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain. This poses serious questions regarding its potential health threat through its use in shampoos, cleansers and toothpaste,"

IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA & DMDM HYDANTOIN: These are just two of the many preservatives that release formaldehyde (formaldehyde-donors). According to the Mayo clinic, formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, Chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.

Sodium Hydroxide: The most recent addition to personal care products. This is a poison (caustic lye) found in drain cleaners. The warning label on sodium hydroxide products reads: “POISON. May be fatal or cause permanent damage if swallowed. May cause blindness. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mouth, and clothing.” Yet, the cosmetic industry is now putting it in out skin care and oral care.

FD & C Color Pigments: Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death according to A Consumer's dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. Debra Lynn Dadd says in Home Safe Home: "Colors that can be used in foods, drug, and cosmetics are made from coal tar. There is a great deal of controversy about their use, because animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic."

Fragrances: Fragrance is present in most deodorants shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, body care and baby products. Many of the compounds in fragrance are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. "Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes," (Home Safe Home).

SUMMARY

The efficacy and safety of many of these ingredients have been debated for decades. And since personal care products are not governed in the same fashion as nutritional supplements, we have to take an active role to educate ourselves as consumers. Quite frankly, we can't avoid all toxins. They are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. But like our decision to purchase bottled water and fresh or organic fruits/vegetables we can also be selective of our skin care products. Take the time to read what's on the label. If you aren’t familiar with an ingredient, make note of it and take a couple of minutes to look it up. Your health and the health of your skin may depend in it.