Our Chemical Body

I recently watched a Netflix documentary called Stink. It is about the carcinogenic chemicals that are in the products that we consume, wear, breathe in and put on our skin every single day!! It was a real eye opener and has made me take a look at every single thing that I own and that I now buy. I am particularly concerned with fragrance (perfume/parfum) as this is usually a number of chemicals all rolled up into one name to produce a scent or smell. Unlike most food and pharmaceutical companies, makers of personal care products do not need to disclose harmful carcinogens or byproducts that are used in their products. The FDA prohibits certain ingredients and labeling that is untrue or misguiding, but what ends up in the products that you use are essentially at the discretion of the product company.

Risks to ones health from long term exposure to these toxins cannot be ruled out. In addition to cancer, other risks include disrupted hormones in children and teens, birth defects in pregnant women and skin irritations.

The most common ingredients that should be avoided are listed below:

1) Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

- Can cause skin irritation and hormone disruption

- Found in lipstick, eye shadow and petroleum products

2) Diethanolamine (DEA)

- Can cause skin irritation, possible organ system toxicity, contamination concerns

- Found in a variety of face makeup and hair products

3) Phthalates dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP)

- Can cause male reproductive system damage

- Found in nail polish, hair sprays, perfumes, lotions, soaps, shampoos

4) Formaldehyde (formaldehyde releasers: bronopol, DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolindinyl urea, quanternium-15)

- Can cause skin irritation, high rates of skin allergy reactions and rashes, concerns of carcinogenic impurity

- Found in nail products, eyelash glue, hair gel, hair smoothing products, baby shampoo, body soap, colouring cosmetics

5) Fragrance (Perfume, parfum, essential oil blend, aroma)

* This is a chemical combination of up to a possible 3,000 ingredients to create scents*

- Can cause skin irritation, allergic reaction, cancer or reproductive toxicity with long-term exposure

- Found in most person care products, including face creams, body lotions, hair products, perfume and body sprays

6) PEG's (polyethylene glycol or ceteareth)

- Concerns of contamination

- Found in a variety of skin-care and makeup products

7) Parabens (specifically propyl-, isopropyl- , butyl-, isobutyl- parabens)

- These are considered hormone disrupters

- Found in nearly everything! Makeup, moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, facial and shower cleansers, shaving products and scrubs

8) Sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate

- Can cause skin irritations and possible purity contamination

- Found in toothpaste, shampoo and hand soaps

9) Synthetic colours

- Concerns of unapproved colours used in products which can be found in anything!

10) Siloxane (ingredients ending in siloxane or methicone)

- These are hormone disrupting chemicals

- Found in hair products, deoderants

11) Triclosan

- Disrupts thyroid and reproductive hormones, bacterial resistance development

- Found in oral products, shaving products, creams and colour cosmetics

12) Contaminants

- There are many products that have contaminants which are impurities or byproducts of ingredients that are mixed together. Heavy metals such as lead, nickel and cobalt fall into this category. These aren't found on labels, but the ingredients that create them are. These contaminants can still be harmful. They have the possibility to cause cancer, contain hormone-disrupting ingredients in both males and females, infertility in males and reproductive toxicity in females, pregnancy and birth complications, contact dermititis, skin aging and other skin issues such as acne, mycoses and macular hyperpigmentation.

The following ingredients have contamination concerns:

- coal tar

- diethanolamine (DEA)

- 1,4-dioxane

- formaldehyde

- butane and isobutane

- petroleum distillates

- talcum

- propylethylene glycol/ceteareth

- nitrosamines

Now if reading this doesn't concern you......I don't know what will. I fully agree that it is very difficult to avoid using or cut out all toxic chemicals....but if you're able to pay attention to what is in the products that you're looking at buying and perhaps find an alternative...every little bit of change helps in living your healthiest life possible. Watch the documentary and decide for yourself!

xo

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