Less Toxic Guide: for Facial Products

The Less Toxic Guide reviews facial products and emphasizes on the potential dangers in each product type. These products can contain numerous toxic ingredients including synthetic fragrance and carcinogenic coal tar dyes (FD&C colours), parabens (hormone disrupting preservatives), propylene glycol (neurotoxin, irritant, liver and kidney damage), and PEG (may be contaminated with carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane).

Facial Mists

Facial Mists can contain synthetic fragrance, carcinogenic FD&C colours, and carcinogenic and hormone-disrupting preservatives. These chemicals can be inhaled into the lungs and transferred to the blood stream.

Facial Scrubs

Conventional facial scrubs contain carcinogenic coal tar colours (FD&C), harsh alcohols and detergents, DEA, TEA, sodium lauryl sulfate, fragrance and preservatives like hormone-disrupting parabens.

Lip gloss, balm, protector

Mainstream lip gloss and balm may contain synthetic waxes and oils. Lip balm commonly contains phenol, a poisonous chemical also used as a pesticide, that can be absorbed by the skin. Reactions include vomiting, nausea, convulsion, paralysis, and even death. Very small amounts can cause rashes, swelling, pimples and hives. Lip gloss and balm also may contain plasticizers like microcrystalline wax and polyisobutane, an allergen. Phthalic anhydride is made from naphthalene, the pesticidal active ingredient in moth balls. Short-term skin exposure to naphthalene can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion and convulsions, and is linked to liver and kidney damage. Lip gloss for children often contains toxic ingredients like carcinogenic coal tar colours, parabens which are hormone-disrupters and allergens, and artificial flavour.Sunscreens are frequently added to lip products, especially the benzophenones. Benzophenones and cinnamates are hormone disruptors and may cause hives and contact sensitivity.

Lotions, creams, moisturizers

Lotions are basically a mixture of water and oil, with an emulsifier added to keep the product from separating. PEG is the most common emulsifier in hand lotions. It can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen. TEA is also used and has been found to be a frequent sensitizer, and cause of contact dermatitis. TEA, DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15 can release carcinogenic formaldehyde. Parabens are commonly used as preservatives. Lanolin is often found in lotions. An animal product, it can be contaminated with pesticides and some people are sensitive to it.Hand lotions are often just thicker versions of facial moisturizers. These petroleum-based products are unlikely to do little more than glue down dry flaky skin calls with oil, unlike plant-based products which can provide long-term benefits to skin.

 To view the complete “Less Toxic Guide to Personal Care Products” with their recommendations on preferred brands (natural, organic and regular) and easy to make recipes, please visit www.lesstoxicguide.ca