Health Risk of Personal Care Products

Shiny lips, odorless armpits and apple-scented skin are all possible thanks to the many over-the-counter personal care products. But are these products safe? Some of the chemicals in cosmetic products get absorbed into our bodies and breast milk affecting our hormones and reproductive organs. These chemicals have been linked to the rising rates of infertility, PMS, menstrual disorders and cancers. But even if shoppers want to avoid potentially dangerous chemicals, manufacturers are not required to disclose them on the labels. Rather, potentially dangerous chemicals are often lumped under the vague umbrella term, “fragrance”. The Food and Drug Administration regulates the safety of personal care products, but does not require that products be tested for safety before they are sold. If problems arise after consumers have used the products, the FDA can ask to see safety research. In the past, manufactures were not obligated to comply with the FDA’s request for this information. Just this year, however, the Cosmetic Association—the association that manufactures and tests the safety of its own products—agreed to require it members to share safety research with the FDA.

Some Hidden Hazards in Fragranced Products

• Phthalates: Phthalates is an ingredient in plastics. It was found in 75% of 72 personal-care products tested and compiled by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). None of these products listed “phthalates” in the ingredients. Most patients of mine have heard me warn about the dangers of plastics. Phthalates can mimic estrogen in the body. In other words, phthalates act like the hormone estrogen and can create diseases or symptoms of “estrogen-excess” such as PMS, fibrocystic breast disease and fibroids. It has also been shown to lower sperm-motility in adult men and cause damage to adult reproductive organs, adrenal glands, the liver and the kidney. Since we are on the topic of plastics, I must take this opportunity to advise against storing foods in plastic, tightly wrapping leftovers in plastic wrap, leaving plastic water bottles in the sun and heating plastic containers in the microwaves.
• Musks: Musks come in two forms: nitromusks and polycyclic musks. Nitromusks have been linked to skin irritation and fertility problems in women. Both the polycyclic musks and the more toxic nitromusks have been shown to affect the hormonal system in laboratory studies. In the US, all musk chemicals are unregulated and no safe levels of exposure have been determined. Europe, however, bans nitromusk from all personal-care products.
• 1,4-dioxane: The EPA classifies 1,4-dioxane as a probable human carcinogen and the National Toxicology Programs labels it as a known animal carcinogen. It has been found in the following products: hair relaxers, hair dyes, hair removers, baby soap, facial moisturizers, anti-aging products, body lotion and around-the-eye cream. EWG recommends that the best way to avoid 1,4-dioxane is to read ingredients closely, be weary of the label “fragrance” and avoid ingredients that include, “PEG”, “xynol”, “ceteareth” and “oleth”.

The information above is drawn from the research of the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Top Ingredients of Concern

The following is a list of ingredients drawn from the Environmental Working Group’s analysis of 6.967 ingredients found in over 14,000 personal-care products.

Top Ingredients of Concern

Alphabetically organized

• 2-amino-4-nitrophenol
• 2-methyloxirane
• Acid Blue 3 and Yellow 3
• Acrylamide
• Acrylonitrile
• Aluminum xirconsium
• BHA
• Brucine
• Coal Tar
• D&C Blue 6
• Dibutlyl Phthalate
• Dimethyl Sulfoxide
• Dimethlamine
• Diphenydramine HCL
• Ethylacrylate
• EXTD&C Green1, Red 1 and Red 3
• FD&C Red 3
• Ferric Ammonium Citrate
• Formaldehyde, Toluene
• HC Blue 2
• Hexachlorophene
• Hydroabietyl Alcohol
• Hydroxyanisole
• Lead
• Lidocane
• Lithium Carbonate
• Litsea Citrata Oil
• Mercury, Thimerosal
• Naphazoline Hydrochloride
• Petroleum Distillates
• Phenacetin
• Phenolphthalein
• Phenylpheno
• Pigment Blue 15
• Potassium Dichromate
• Tetrahydrozoline
• Zirconium Silicate

SAFE CHOICES IN PERSONAL-CARE PRODUCTS

• Abra Stress Therapy Bath
• Aubrey Organics
• Avalon Organics Hair, Bath & Body Rosemary Shower Gel
• Burt’s Bees, Inc
• Derma e Natural Bodycare
• Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps
• Ecco Bella Botanicals
• EO Products/Small World Trading
• J.P. Durga Roseline Body Spray and Room Myst
• Juice Beauty
• Osea Passion Bath Oil
• Hain Celestial Group, Inc.
• Kiss My Face Corp.
• Weleda

The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please see an Akasha physician or another qualified health care provider with questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.