Toxic Skin Care Ingredients

Sodium Laurel Sulfate, DEA, Talc, Toluene, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol

Feb 25, 2008
Victoria Anisman-Reiner

Are toxins like SLS and DEA in your shampoo? - clarita on morguefile

For the sake of skin's health and appearance, holistic experts suggest avoiding common chemicals like DEA, propyl alcohol, SLS, propylene glycol, talc, and toluene

Special skin care formulas abound… but how many of these products are actually good for your skin? According to holistic experts, chemicals like diethanolamine (DEA), sodium laurel or sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), propyl alcohol, toluene, talc, propylene glycol and other humectants do little to restore skin's beauty and present serious health risks.

Ingredients That May Be Doing More Harm Than Good to Your Skin and Your Health…

SLS – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate

What is it? Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate is used as a surfactant (to break down surface tension in water) and is found in many soaps and detergents, as well as in shampoo, hand cream, cleansers, mouthwash, and toothpaste.(1)

Health Risk: SLS is known to cause skin inflammation, and may mimic estrogens, cause hair loss, and damage teeth. It is a mutagen(3) and a potential carcinogen. One of the worst sources of absorption is from toothpaste and mouthwash, via the mucus membranes in the mouth. SLS can be stored in the liver, heart, lungs and brain. It can also damage the eyes, particularly in children.(3)

DEA – Diethanolamine

What is it? DEA is an ingredient in hundreds of skin and personal care products, including soaps, shampoos, bubble baths, lotions, cosmetics, laundry detergent and anything else that lathers or acts as a surfactant.

Health Risk: DEA is "suspected of carcinogenic activity."(3) It has been shown to cause tumors in the liver and kidneys of test animals, and reacts with certain preservatives to form other known carcinogens.(1)

Other Names: Diethanolamine (DEA) goes by a handful of other names, among them: diethylolamine, bis(hydroxyethyl)amine, cocamide DEA, hydroxydiethylamine, and diolamine, as well as other chemical variants.

Propylene Glycol

What is it? Propylene glycol is an antifreeze solvent, commonly found in brake and hydraulic fluid, paint, floor wax, pet food and tobacco. It also shows up as a humectant(2) (supposedly a moisturizer) in almost every mainstream deodorant, shaving gel, conditioner, shampoo, toothpaste, face creams, baby wipes and cosmetics.

Health Risk: Propylene glycol has been shown to cause dermatitis, kidney and liver damage, and to inhibit skin cell growth.(1) It causes a host of gastro-intestinal and central nervous system problems if ingested.(3) It can be absorbed by the skin and is stored throughout the body.

Propyl Alcohol

What is it? Propyl alcohol is an antiseptic commonly used in cosmetics, shampoos, shaving products, waterless hand cleaners, in large quantities in mouthwash (25-30%), and in the preparation of bottled water, white sugar, carbonated drinks, and decaf coffee.(1)

Health Risk: Alcohol (particularly in mouthwash) has been linked to mouth and throat cancers. Alcohol acts as a solvents and puts men at a 60% higher risk and women at a 90% higher risk of oral cancers.(3)

Toluene

What is it? Toluene shows up in most perfume, nail polish, and cosmetics.

Health Risk: Toluene is an endocrine disruptor and a potential carcinogen. It may cause birth defects.

Talc

What is it? Talc is a fine powder and is chemically similar to asbestos. It is found in baby powders, feminine powders, condom lubricants, and in cosmetics.

Health Risk: Use of talc-containing feminine powders and sprays in the genital area has been linked to an increased ovarian cancer risk (60% and 90% respectively).(3)

Sources:

(1) DeVita, Sabina, Saving Face: The Scents-able Way to Wrinkle-Free Skin. Brampton, Ontario, Canada, 2002.

(2) DeVita, Sabina, "They're Selling You the 'Sizzle': Myths Perpetuated by the Skin Care Industry: Brampton, Canada, c.2000.

(3) Network News and Publications, "Rub A Dub, Dub… Is Cancer in Your Tub?" Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 1999.

Victoria Anisman-Reiner, B.Sc., C.C.A., C. Anisman-Reiner

Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Victoria Anisman-Reiner is a freelance writer with extensive experience in holistic health care and animal training.

Comments

May 11, 2008 2:00 PM

Guest :

Thank you for this IMPORTANT, disturbing information. I have just shared your article to EVERYONE on my list! Now, I am going to read labels and start pitching! I also plan to write each company and tell them why I will NOT buy their product(s).

Nature has ALWAYS been BEST. There's a reason for that (God)! Man and his greed are taking over and we the people, follow like cows being led off to slaughter!

It's so important to get this information to the people. THANK YOU so very, very much!!

Sincerely mad (at them) and so appreciative to YOU!,

kat
n myrtle beach, SC

Nov 25, 2008 5:06 AM

Guest :

I am allergic to propylen Glycol, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, Methyldibromo Glutarontrile. I am also allergic to nickel,cobalt, plasters,latex, electrode and gel Aspirin,Codeine, no doubt propylene Glycol is used to bind together the tablets we take. recently I have become allergic to alcohol. My ears my face, arms upper torso become very hot flushed red patches. With the rest allergens, my skin blisters and weeps.

I try to always check the ingredients of all my toiletries etc., but that is not possible if I want to purchase something on line. The ingredients of their products should be listed online as well. Manufacturers of consumer goods should not be allowed to include such dangerous ingedients in our products and should be sued for the damage they cause to human health.

Oct 18, 2011 6:09 PM

Guest :

I have been avoiding SLS Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and artificial sweeteners since 1997. I painstakingly researched that summer until I discovered that I had a sensitivity to them. It would start with the accidental drink of a diet drink, which would cause the allergic sore inside my mouth, and my tongue would begin to swell. My TMJ and the swollen tongue would cause me to chew my tongue. The dentist told me to take the OTC medicine more freqently, and I used mouthwash more frenquently to battle the problems. Then I stumbled accross the SLS article. There was SLS in my mouthwash, in my toothpaste, and even as an inactive ingredient in my OTC pain reliever. I eliminated all of those items. There are only two toothpastes that I can use. One type of Rembrandt, and Biotene. (Note all natural toothpastes do contain SLS). I still have to remind servers NOT to give me a diet drink. NO doctor or dentist told me about the problem, but when I went back and told them, they said that it made sense. One dentist even put an article in a local magazine about SLS and the toothpaste without it, after I told him about my problem. I don't understand why more companies don't come out with toothpaste and mouthwash without SLS.

3 Comments