I’m warning you, this post is a little nerdy so stay with me. There are some big scientific words written on the back of our beauty product bottles that represent toxic chemicals. We need to know about them, reject them, and get some true beautifying products on our skin. Now it wasn’t so long ago that I was naively using chemical ridden products from the drug store. Thankfully, my husband and I happened to spend an evening at Barnes and Noble where I found a book that would completely change my beauty routine. This book is called Skinny Bitch: Home, Beauty & Style by Kim Barnouin. It is a game changer! I got my highlighter out and went to town! It sparked a curiosity in me of all the chemicals and toxins we are exposed to everyday.. I know we can’t get away from them all completely, however, we can eliminate a lot when we change the products we bring into our homes and put on our bodies.

15 Common Chemicals in Our Beauty Products…

1. Petroluem: a skin softener and lubricant. Shows up most in: lubricating oils, paraffin wax. Dangerous effects: traps toxins, interference with cell development.

2. Isopropyl alcohol: a solvent and denaturant. This petroleum derived substances is used in antifreeze. Shows up most in: hair color, lotions. Dangerous effects: Inhalation or ingestion may cause headaches, nausea, dizziness.

3. Parabens (isobutylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben): most common preservative. Shows up most in: shampoo, makeup, deodorant, lotions. Dangerous effects: acts like estrogen in the body. Hormone disruption, cancer (breast).

4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS): detergents and foaming agents. Shows up most in: shampoo, hair conditioner, makeup, toothpaste. Dangerous effects: eye damage, immune system damage, skin irritation.

5. Propylene Glycol (PG), Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Butylene Glycol, Ethylene Glycol, Diethylene Glycol: foaming agent, solvent and thickening agent. Shows up most in: moisturizers, makeup, deodorant, mouthwash, toothpaste. Dangerous effects: may be contaminated with lead and nickel. Brain, kidney and liver abnormalities, immune system damage, skin irritation.

6. Imidazolidinyl Urea: second most common preservative. Shows up most in: baby shampoo, hair products, makeup, lotion. Dangerous effects: releases formaldehyde into the body, skin irritation, gastrointestinal damage, liver damage.

7. Talc (Talcum powder): powdered mineral. Shows up most in: make-up, baby powder, face creams. Dangerous effects: cancer (ovarian).

8. Fragrance: this can represent up to a few thousand separate ingredients on a label. Shows up most in: shampoo, deodorant, baby care products, most all skin and body care products. Dangerous effects: skin irritation, headaches, central nervous system problems.

9. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (monoethanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine): cleansing and foaming agent. Shows up most in: bubble bath, body wash, soap, shampoo, face wash. Dangerous effects: hormone disruption, cancer (liver and kidney), skin irritation.

10. Hydroquinone: antioxidant and skin bleaching agent. Shows up most in: hair dye, sunless tanning products, hair remover, skin-lightening products. Dangerous effects: cancer (skin).

11. Phthalates: color and scent preservative. Shows up most in: makeup, fragrances, soaps, lotions, hair products. Dangerous effects: birth defects, decreased sperm count, liver and kidney damage, endocrine disruption.

12. Mineral Oil: common petroleum additive. Shows up most in: baby oil, hair conditioners, shaving cream. Dangerous effects: clogs pores, prevents skin from getting rid of toxins, causes pre-mature aging.

13. Triclosan: an antibacterial and antifungal agent. Shows up most in: toothpaste, deodorant, soap. Dangerous effects: endocrine disruption, thyroid problems, cancer (breast), fertility problems.

14. Toluene (phenylmethane, methylbenzene, toluol): a solvent. Shows up most in: nail polish, hair dye, fragrances. Dangerous effects: headaches, birth defects, possible miscarriage, skin irritation.

15. Phenoxyethanol: fragrance preservative. Shows up most in: makeup, cleansers, moisturizers. Dangerous effects: skin and eye irritation, endocrine disruption.

Now that you got through those crazy words, I would like to leave you with a wonderful internet tool I found. The Environmental Working Group made a cosmetic database! Just type in your product and find out the ingredients and it’s level of health concerns. Click here to start your search!

That’s my jam,

Kristle