Hidden Health Hazards in Your Personal Care Products

by Victoria Silver

Our skin is the body's largest organ for eliminating waste and the mouth is the gateway to the body. A toxic buildup of inedible ingredients has no place as lotions on our skin or as toothpaste in our mouths. The pores can become obstructed so that the skin cannot "breathe" and properly do its job, while toxic ingredients taken orally are absorbed by the gums and carried into the bloodstream as well as being swallowed.

Since 1938 when the FDA allowed the cosmetic industry to monitor itself, more than 200 toxic chemicals have been added to personal care products. Materials Safety and Data Sheets are references for dealing with hazardous substances. While it is true that the MSDS refers to occupational situations where the quantities of these substances are generally large, the exposure of infants to such chemicals as well as long term exposure to minute amounts is certainly worth calling into question. Most of the information on the following ingredients has been taken from the MSDS of the highly esteemed Oxford University in England.

1. Aluminum
Aluminum products are on the list of likely and known carcinogens in the MSDS. An ingredient commonly found in anti-perspirants, aluminum produces this effect by blocking the pores to prevent sweating. While deodorants are useful, it is not advisable to prevent perspiration altogether.

2. Fluoride
The controversy continues over fluoride. While it may have the familiar benefits touted by the ADA, overwhelming evidence suggests that at the very least, children should not be swallowing unmonitored amounts of it daily in their toothpaste. Fluorosis is an unsightly mottling of the teeth that can be caused by excessive ingestion of fluoride. For a comprehensive list of web-based information available on fluoride, visit www.holisticmed.com/fluoride

3. Glycerine
The MSDS advises that contact be minimized with this substance, which is used as an emulsifier in food and in anti-freeze as well as in skin care products. It is known to cause dehydration at humidity below 65 per cent. It may therefore dehydrate the skin when used in lotions and be an irritant to the gums when used in products for whitening teeth.

4. Mineral Oil
A petroleum derivative commonly found in skin care products mineral oil, according to the MSDS, "May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion and through skin absorption." By clogging the pores mineral oil may create skin toxicity leading to acne. It is also on the list of known and suspected carcinogens.

5. Propylene Glycol
Classified as a hazardous substance by the United Nations, this
major skin irritant is commonly found in industrial solvents along with numerous personal care products from makeup and lotions to shampoos and conditioners.

6. Saccharine
An ingredient sometimes found in toothpastes and mouthwashes that is a known carcinogen, according to the MSDS.

7. Lye or Sodium/Potassium Hydroxide Lye
also known as potassium or sodium hydroxide, can be purchased in the hardware store for cleaning drains. It is known to be highly caustic and can cause permanent eye damage. Bar soaps are sometimes made of lye combined with animal fats, and it is also found in toothpaste. Toothpastes that claim to get teeth whiter are sometimes using lye as a bleaching agent. No warnings are posted on toothpaste tubes.

8. Talc
According to the MSDS, talc is generally considered safe, however talc with "asbestiform particles" is on the list of suspected and known carcinogens at the very same website: http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS. This substance is widely used for intimate personal care of infants and common sense says that it should definitely be avoided.

9. DEA, Diethanolamine
    MEA Monoethanolamine
    TEA Triethanolamine
According to the MSDS, a severe skin, eye and respiratory irritant, harmful if swallowed or inhaled. A fact sheet on cosmetics published by the FDA in 1999 released information on a study that showed DEA to be carcinogenic.

10. DMDM (Dimethylol Dimethol Hydantoin) and Imidazolidinyl Urea Two ingredients often used as preservatives in skin care products that break down into formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is known to be highly toxic by inhalation, ingestion and through the skin, where it is readily absorbed. It may cause genetic damage and is aknown carcinogen.

Other additives that have raised questions are: Isopropyl and Benzyl Alcohols, Sodium Lauryl or Laureth Sulfates, Plastic Polymers, Coal Tar Dyes, Artificial Colors and Fragrances, Methyl and Propyl Parabens.

So we are left with the question, "What can we use?" Most personal care products, even the ones sold in health food stores and claiming to be safest and purest, contain additives that cannot even be found in thorough MSDS databases. These additives may in fact be safe and pure, but how are we to know?

To investigate ingredients using a simple search engine go to http://hazard.com/msds. I'luminae will continue to do research in order to make information about viable products available. The most impressive line of personal care and household products we have found to date is Organic Essentials. Please let us know your findings, email us with your questions and let us know your favorite personal care product lines as well.