Continuous use of chemical skin care products can result in unhealthy skin and acne, dermatitis, eczema and/or psoriasis, premature aging and increased toxin levels in the body. Chemical ingredients can add to the “body-load” of undesirable substances. Further, recent studies have been raising alarm bells about the accumulation of chemicals in the unborn babies.
The following ingredients are commonly used in skin care and cosmetic products. Some have molecules much too large to be absorbed through the skin. Instead, they tend to suffocate the skin and block normal skin respiration by forming a film that traps moisture, toxins and waste while preventing the intake of oxygen.
Some of these chemicals have been implicated in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.
Phthalates, in particular, are a very serious cause for concern. Men’s grooming This is a gender bending; carcinogenic chemical and a common ingredient in hair sprays and skin care.
Chemicals like the synthetic musk found in virtually all chemical deodorants, and perfumed skin-care products are causing serious concern because of the high levels being found in fat tissues.
Let us examine 10 chemical skin care ingredients and their known harmful side-effects.
Lanolin: Extracted from wool and commonly used in skin care and lotions. It may contain residue of pesticides and herbicides. Recent tests conducted on lanolin samples showed up to 26 different chemicals were contaminating this product. Lanolin is now considered a skin sensitive substance that may cause allergic reactions.
DEA, MEA, TEA: These ingredients are used in: cigarettes; shampoo; face cleansers and body wash; soap; bubble bath.
An alarming feature of these ingredients is they are Nitrosamines contaminated, which is a known carcinogen. Large amounts of nitrates can enter the bloodstream after just one shampoo.
Further, a study published by Dr. Samuel Epstein (Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois) reports repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer.
The good news is Europe has acted by restricting their use.
Nitro-sating Agents: Probably, the most potent cancer-causing compound currently used in skin care and is not required to be listed on the ingredient label because it is an impurity.