toxic ingredients
The last time the FDA regulated ingredients in the cosmetic industry was 1938. Yes you read that correctly and yes the list only contains 11 ingredients. The more we know the more powerful we become as consumers.
People in search of a cleaner product tend to look towards the European standards. Why do the Europeans care more than Americans? You will need to reach out to your state politicians to seek that answer, I am not a politician. Just be thankful we Americans have someone to look up to. Before I digress lets look at the European standards as of 2022, they have 1,600 ingredients that are banned from personal care products.
The good news is many American companies are looking at meeting those standards. My favorite company “Crunchi” has gone above those standards, eleminating even more chemicals than the Euro standard.
The more we know about cancer and what chemical agents are leading to cancer the more we look at what is safe and not safe. More and more studies are published with lists of ingredients that are endocrine disrupters, allergans,and carcenogens. We have come a long way even in the past 20 years.
Many chemicals, both natural and man-made, may mimic or interfere with the body’s hormones, known as the endocrine system. Called endocrine disruptors, these chemicals are linked with developmental, reproductive, brain, immunity, and other problems.
Endocrine disruptors are found in many everyday products, including some plastic bottles and containers, liners of metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, clothing, cosmetics, and pesticides.
Some endocrine disrupting chemicals are slow to breakdown in the environment. That characteristic makes them potentially hazardous over time.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals cause adverse effects in animals. But limited scientific information exists on potential health problems in humans. Because people are typically exposed to multiple endocrine disruptors at the same time, assessing public health effects is difficult.
People may be exposed to endocrine disruptors through food and beverages consumed, pesticides applied, and cosmetics used. In essence, your contact with these chemicals may occur through diet, air, skin, and water.
Even low doses of endocrine-disrupting chemicals may be unsafe. The body’s normal endocrine functioning involves very small changes in hormone levels, yet we know even these small changes can cause significant developmental and biological effects. This observation leads scientists to think that endocrine-disrupting chemical exposures, even at low amounts, can alter the body’s sensitive systems and lead to health problems.
Top concerns fall under immunity, metabolism, puberty, and reproductive health. This makes so much sense. The areas we struggle in are directly in relations to these chemicals.
Source:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31719706/
My intention is merely educational, it is not intended to create fear, or tell you to throw away everything in your home that has potential to harm you. Full disclaimer moment, I am not a doctor and you should always seek out medical advice from your chosen provider. At the bottom of the page is a link to my Crunchi website page of banished ingredients. Click on the plus sign of any ingredient for further information and the sources. If you are anything like me, be prepared to give it a few hours, the rabbit hole goes on and on.
Lets take a look at a few of the common ingredients that responsible companies are steering clear of to keep us healthier. I have broken it down into catagories to easily navigate what is most important to you. Carceniogens, Endocrine Disrupters, Allergy-Eczema, Dermatitis, skin irritant,and lung irritant, fertility, and animals (we love our furry friends).
Carcinogens, avoid becaue they are potentially deadly:
1,4 Dioxine 2-Bromo (bromopol) 2 Nitropropare 1,3 Diol Aliminum-Hydrozide Benzophenones Benzylparaben
BHA BHT(controversial) BPA Carbon Black Coal Tar Diazoledinyl Urea Ethoxylated Ingredients
Formaldehyde Hyydroquinone Loose powerder Titanium Dioxide Mineral Oil Oxybenzones
PEG’s (polyethylene Glycol) Phenoxyethanol (2-Phenoxythanol) Retinyl Palmitate/Retinol (do not use in daytime)
Talc Triclosan
Enocrine disruptors,avoid because your brain needs you to function;
Benzalkonium chloride Benzophenones Benzyl Paraben DEP (controversial) Ethlyparaben Homosalate (HMS)
Isobutyl paraben Isopropal Paraben Japense Honeysuckle Methy Paraben Octinoxale(potential)
Parabens, Parabens, and Parabens all types! Phthalates Resorcinal (thyroid) Triclosan
Synthetic fragrance ( the FDA does not require an ingredient list in fragrences)
Allergens, avoid because you like to breath and not itch;
2 Bromo 2 Nitropropane 1,3 Diol Benzalkonium Chloride Benzophenones Bismuth Oxychloride
Coal Tar Diazolidinyl Urea DMDM hydatoin Ethenolamine Compounds (MEA/DEA/TEA)
Formaldehyde Imadazolidinyl Urea Idopropynyl Betylcarbonate (IPBC) Mercury & Mercury Compounds
Methenamine Methylisothiazominone Oxybenzone Propylene Glycol Quarternuim-15
Synthetic Flavor (used in lip products) Sythentic Fragrances Triclosan
Known to harm Animals, avoid these ingredients becaue you love our furry friends;
Animal fats, oils and musks Butoxyethonal DEPS Borax Butylparaben EDT
Mercury & Mercury compounds Oxybenzone Triclosan
Others
Nanoparticles can damage your DNA leading to cancer
Octinoxate, has been found in mothers milk further testing on brain developement is in the works
Grapefruit seed extract or GSE due to toxicity
Check your current products for the above ingredients.
It’s unlikely you are going to ditch all of your current skincare and makeup all at once. Begin by replacing them one by one. I am happy to help you decide which products to switch out first. If you are ready for a full purge let me assist you in this process, its painless and fun.
For a full list of ingredients check this out: Banished Ingredients | Crunchi.com