Harmful Ingredients in Cosmetics

What are the things that you look for when you buy your make up and toiletries? Is it the brand? Packaging? Popularity? Price? Did you ever consider looking at the ingredients? Probably yes or not.

I am a very meticulous consumer. I am a thrift shopper and as much as possible I really compare products. Sadly before, I was only looking for the price and the popularity of the products. I don't really research about the ingredients before not until these past few months. What made me concern and shift into purchasing healthy products? Ever since I encounter skin problems which are really hard to treat and sometimes untreatable, I wanted to look for ways on how to relieve my frustrations. I don't want to live with fear so instead of hearing hearsay, I made my own research and its still a continuous process.

I will make an attempt to explain in simple way about the harmful ingredients to avoid. Everything can be researched further if you are doubtful but for me these are some of the ingredients that alarms me and that I need to avoid.

Lets start from head to toe.

1. Sodium Lauryl sulfate or Sodium Laureath Sulfate (SLS, SLES)

Commonly used in shampoos or anything that bubbles. Its popular cause it’s a detergent and foams easily. You can see this ingredient in your dishwashing soap. Try it! lol. Yes this ingredient cleanses really well BUT it strips away the natural oils of our hair – thus a conditioner is a must after. It is a possible skin irritant. I previously used Clear Soft Shampoo but removed it in my daily wash cause of the SLS and instead I bought an organic shampoo from Avalon Organics.

The ingredients are mostly from natural fruit extracts. It is rated 4 out of 10 for the hazard level. You can see the hazard level in this website: http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=201312

Do you use Cetaphil Mild Cleanser? I did. I will probably do if I lack any natural cleaner. Well check the label of your Cetaphil and you will encounter SLS. By the way I already shifted to this product: Dessert Essence, Thoroughly Face Wash. All natural. No chemicals. Leaves my face non oily after.

2. Parabens (Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, Butyl)

The infamous Paraben. I’ve been writing a lot of this stuff in my reviews. What are Parabens anyway? Parabens are used most in all cosmetics because it is effective as a preservative. Therefore it avoid molds in whatever products like shampoos, make ups, almost anything even in food. It was said that the more exposed you are with Parabens, the more likely be exposed to carcinogens. It is absorbed easily in the body. There have been reports that breast cancer patients have high levels of Parabens in their body. The research didn't say that Parabens are the cause of the cancer but it has been linked heavily with this illness. But there is a study which says that Parabens mimic the hormone estrogen. High levels of estrogen causes breast cancer. There are different names of Parabens. You can check more in this link: http://www.copperwiki.org/index.php/Paraben. The FDA said that Parabens are safe to use for as long as its low in percentage. This site explains it all: http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/SelectedCosmeticIngredients/ucm128042.htm. By the way, the last update of that website is October 2007.

I'm not yet done with Parabens. Do you use Baby wipes? Have you seen its ingredients? Well just in case, you might encounter the Parabens. And I am a bit surprised that my 90pcs wipes have these in different names.

How about your deodorant? Have you checked if its Paraben free? I already shifted originally from Nivea Deodorant Double Effect Roll on to Crystal (Pic). Because it has no Paraben, no aluminum (which causes UA darkening) and its suggested by breast cancer movement.

It is also reported that Parabens increases skin ageing. Now do you still think that your eye cream helps you to look younger? Think again.

3. para phenylenediamine or p-Phenylenediamine (PPD)

Mostly found in permanent hair dyes. It is an allergen to most people. To know more about it visit this site: http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/paraphenylenediamine-allergy.html. I have colored my hair years before but I didn't notice any allergy thank God. But I have damaged hair after. To show examples how horrific an allergy is: click Lois McQueen’s picture after trying Loreal Casting color (A demi permanent colorant) By the way, PPD is also a possible carcinogen. No don't be shocked. I think most of the products are carcinogen? yay.

4. Formaldehyde

Yes the one that is used in preserving dead people. It has been reported few years ago that there is a product recall from China because of the existence of this toxic ingredient. Well guess what, you wont find the word Formaldehyde in any product itself. Like Parabens, it has a lot of names. (Rings Melamine) And there are also Formaldehyde releasers (in short, slowly releases formaldehyde) Check this list to be aware: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde_releaser. And guess what I found? My Silk Secrets Moisturizing Cracked heel cream has this formaldehyde releaser! Under the name of: Imidazolidinyl urea. Wow. Formaldehyde scored the perfect 10 for the hazardous level.

5. Triethanolamine (TEA) or anything that ends with AMINE like DEA, MEA)

Commonly seen in moisturizers, mascara, lotions etc. It has been reported that it releases nitrosamines, a possible carcinogenic (gosh not again) Although the chances are very slim, I am quite worried because I saw my Maxi Peel Concealing Cream with this ingredient. The only ingredient in that product which has high hazard level. :(

6. Talc

Yes the ones you see in your baby powders. When inhaled and if it has high talc concentrations, it is a *drum roll* carcinogen. Causes ovarian cancer when used in your ahem privates.

7. Fragrance

The more the product masks its true smell, the more potential hazardous it is to use for our precious body. Fragrance is number 8 in the hazard level: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=702512.

8. Alcohols (Isopropyl, ethyl, those that ends with +ENE +ANOL)

Most alcohols are skin irritants. Some claim that they are mild but we should still be careful cause even the mildest to one person will become harsh to another person. A presence of alcohol (whether drinking or applying in my skin) has been proven a cause of my hives, eczema in my health history.

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Do you use Placenta soap? How about Petroleum Jelly (I do)? Do you see Triclosan in your deodorant or toothpaste? Are you concerned with the lead content of your RED LIPSTICK? They are also potential *you know the term* not only the big “C” but they create problems with the reproductive health as well as in mental health.

There are a lot actually. Since I cannot post them all here for the limitation of space and to avoid overwhelming people (even myself) I think, I will pause at number 8. For now, I advise to be just wary of Parabens and Formaldehyde. Remember, just because the products claim that they are organic, it doesn't mean that they don't have any harsh ingredients on it. Read labels, you might miss the toxic ingredient if you just rely on the front design. This is the same with the term Hypoallergenic.

My advise is not to go panic. As this will only cause you more stress. Stress is cancerous too haha. Try to shift from natural products and look for fewer ingredients in the list. The less complicating it is, the better. Read labels. Try to avoid those mentioned above. And if you have been exposed to those ingredients, try to detoxify. Check skindeep.com website if in doubt. I always check that website for any product suggestions.

Stay healthy!

[Review] Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar

Again, I am a loyal user of Girltalk forum and I found out that many of my sisses use this organic product. I was quite skeptical to use it cause its Vinegar. You know how vinegar stinks right? And I was surprised that many uses this as their beauty product. For toner, for shampoo, conditioner, body wash. Almost anything about beauty! I said, if this product is effective, I must say its a life saver. So I bought this last week, thursday and decided to try it myself. Healthy Options at less than PHP 200 or 4 USD.

Thursday evening (June 4):

I mixed the concoction into a clean spray bottle. 1 part distilled water and 1 part of ACV. After shower and cleaning my face with Cetaphil, I sprayed my face with ACV. I did it wrong! I accidentally sprayed my eyes lol so the result, a sting and teary eyed. I decided to use a facial cotton squares instead. I sprayed the cotton and applied it all over my face and in the sides of my neck. The smell disturbed me. I heard that the smell fades after it dries but since I am generally sweaty, I can still smell the vinegar. There is a feeling of "dirty” like you will wonder if you have showered cause you can smell the vinegar in your face lol. I applied my Differin (Adapalene) as prescribed by my doctor and my Bleaching Cream # 2(from Derma). The smell somehow is less.

Friday morning:

After waking up, I didn't notice any breakout. Hurrah! My face feels tight and I decided to take a ACV shower. This time, I am going to use it as a shampoo and conditioner. LOL I know I know. What's the point of taking a shower when you will only smell like a vinegar right? LOL. I mixed half of my ACV Spray Bottle into a small bucket (Tagalog: TABO! lol) and dipped my long hair. I washed it immediately. For the remaining ACV, I poured it into my body (now I am using it as a body wash) But I can’t take the smell, I washed my body with Kojiesan Soap after. My hair is frizzy the whole day but I noticed a softer hair. I can smell the vinegar at the back of my neck in between the hair cause I use to perspire in that area. Glad I was just at home and nobody can smell me. After drying my hair and body, I sprayed ACV into the cotton and applied it onto my face as a toner. I finished it with Maxi Peel Concealing Cream.

Friday Evening:

I followed the advice of a fellow gtalker, Meowskitty. Shampoo-ACV-Conditioner. I used Clear Soft Shampoo. Washed it off. Then ACV wash. I let it stay for at least 2 mins. Then wash it off. Then use Citre Shine Color Prism Conditioner. The result is much better! Then I still rinsed my body with ACV. And then Kojiesan soap after.

For the following days, this is my evening routine:

1) Shower. Shampoo - ACV - Conditioner. 2) ACV body rinse - Kojic Soap. 3) ACV toner* - Bleaching Cream from Derm. I removed my Differin (Adapalene) in my routine. I thought its redundant cause ACV is already acting up for my blemishes.

For my morning routine:

1) Wash face with Cetaphil – ACV toner* – Maxipeel Concealing Cream.

*ACV Toner: 3 parts of distilled water, 1 part of ACV.

Update as of today (June 11):

ITS A RAVE!!! I have a lot of praises with this product! First, it did help my face give a certain “glow.” I can say that my oiliness has decreased. Pores somehow shrunken. My blemishes were fading. Same with redness. My face has its rosy glow when in natural lighting. For my hair, it’s soft and it I think it has coated the strands making it healthy looking. When I wake up in the morning, I have a beach wave hairstyle. Its cute and its soft and fresh. For my body, I have a small bumps in my earlobes. I know they are disgusting but you wont see them really. They are internal. I think the reasons for the bumps are clogged lymph nodes? (scary I know) And after using ACV in my hair, the bumps have shrunken! I can’t believe it. This is really my Holy Grail. As crazy as it sounds. I also have a rash prone buttocks and I am also hoping that this product will help.

I also use ACV in my foods. I use it as a dip for my chicken fingers. I use this as a marinating sauce. I use this as my alternative for ordinary distilled vinegar. Here is the article that says everything about the benefits of ACV: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/health-benefits-apple-cider-vinegar.html

This is the reason why ACV has its beauty benefits: http://leonsbeautytipsandsecrets.com/5-wonderful-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar/ It has a high Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Read more in order to know why. :)

I dont use this as my way to loss weight. I dont want to because I am satisfied with my body now. I just need to maintain it with my Semi-Vegetarianism. :)

By the way, if you decided to give this a try, don't forget to buy the ORGANIC one. The one which has the “mother” meaning the more sediments it has, the more effective it is. Bragg ACV is the best one in my opinion. If the ACV smells, it means you are putting too much. And I am putting too much because I can take the smell now. Of course when going out, I still have to tone down the amount lol. I dont want any trouble. :p Always dilute it with DISTILLED Water if you put it in a container. Why? Ordinary tap water, once stocked will produce minerals and dirt. Making it prone to bacteria. Some people, in order to mask the smell, they put green tea to it. That’s okay for as long as you are sure that you wont stock it because we are trying to avoid bacteria built up here. No bacteria – No skin irritation.

That’s it for now. I will use this for 1 month and lets see again if I will still rave about it. Try it for yourself and see its benefits. :)