Are Your “Natural” Beauty Care Products Safe?

It is unsettling how loosely the term “natural” is used. Many chemicals are now being classified as “natural” because the company states in the ingredient list it is derived from a “natural” source. This is so misleading.

For instance, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) can be found in products such as toothpaste and shampoo, used as a foaming agent. The companies say it is considered “natural” because it is “derived” from coconut. Many things come from a natural source but once an ingredient is combined with other isolated ingredients, forming a chemical (such as SLS), the molecular structure is altered to the point where it can be considered a toxic substance.

SLS has been shown to contribute to mouth and gastrointestinal ulcers.1 It is also a skin and eye irritant (causing cataracts)2 and a liver toxicant.3 It also has been shown to cause scalp irritation, eczema, dandruff, and other scalp conditions.4 Furthermore, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is such a caustic cleanser that it actually corrodes the hair follicle and impairs the ability to grow hair!5

Propylene Glycol (PPG) is a cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid, and industrial antifreeze. In cosmetics it is used as a solvent, humectant and a wetting agent. It is implicated in irritations of the eye, skin and respiratory tract.6 It also acts as a carrier, allowing other toxic chemicals to penetrate the skin and into the bloodstream.7 The penetration into the skin is so quick that the EPA warns factory workers to avoid skin contact, to prevent brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities.8

Studies in both human and animal subjects indicate that Propylene Glycol has severe adverse health effects such as contact dermatitis, ototoxicity (ear poisoning), kidney damage, liver abnormalities, and more.9

In addition, there have been reports of Propylene Glycol inducing seizures in epileptics10, 11 and cardio respiratory arrest.12, 13 Studies on guinea pigs and chinchillas receiving eardrops containing propylene glycol, indicated it caused them irreversible deafness.14, 15 Other side effects on animals exposed to Propylene Glycol include heart arrhythmia, stunted growth, decreased blood pressure, and even death.16 New findings suggest that using Propylene Glycol on the skin actually causes premature aging.17

Methyl/PropylButyl/Ethyl Parabens are used to inhibit microbial growth and to extend the shelf life of products. They have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes and are highly toxic. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), that manufacturers must provide to buyers of the product, states it causes irritation to the skin with symptoms including: redness, itching, and pain. It also may cause allergic reactions.

The EPA says that all Parabens have been proven to affect the endocrine system. They disrupt the body’s ability to produce adequate quantities of hormones.18 The estrogen-like properties of the Parabens may have an effect on breast cancer. A study published in 2004 in the Journal of Applied Toxicology detected Parabens in breast tumors.

Based on the facts, there is a simple solution: We need to be proactive and look at the ingredient labels and EDUCATE OURSELVES!

References: 1, 2, 3 Judi Vance, Beauty To Die For, Promotion Publishing, 1998, 4, 5, 9, 17 www.zellersnaturalhealth.com/danger.html, 6, 7 Patricia Thomas, What’s In This Stuff?, A Perigree Book, 2008, 8, 16 www.beautydeli.com/label.htm#SLS, 10, 12 Postgrad Med J 1988 Aug., 11, 13 Pediatrics 1987 Apr; 79, 14 J Pharm Belg 1989 Nov-Dec., 15 Am J Otolaryngol 1990 Jan-Feb., 18 www.terressentials.com/endocrine.html.