12 Top Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products

by Guest Author

Category: Articles, Information & Tips

The average personal care product contains about 12 chemicals: from shampoo and lotion to sunscreen and mouthwash. If you think there's no cause for concern, think again, more than one-third of all personal-care products contain at least one ingredient linked to cancer, and less than 20 percent of the chemicals in personal-care products have been tested for safety.

12 Top Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products

Prefixes- Ethyl, Methyl, Butyl or Propyl  What It Is: Parabens Health Risks: Endocrine disrupters that mimic estrogen; linked to weight gain and breast cancer Found In: Lotions and shampoos

Fragrance - DEHP, DHP, DBP 5, Dibutyl Phthalate What It Is: Phthalates Health Risks: Sperm damage, infertility Found In: Nail polish, shampoo, deodorant, lotion

Dyes - Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5 & 6, Red 33 What It Is: Coal tar Health Risks: Carcinogenic Found In: Hair color, medicated shampoos

Triclosan, Chloro, Phenol, Irgasan What It Is: Triclosan Health Risks: Endocrine and thyroid disrupter; promotes antibiotic-resistant bacteria; bioaccumulates in the body Found In: Antibacterial soap, shampoo, facial cleanser, toothpaste, deodorant

3-(4-methylbenzylidene)-camphor (4-MBC), octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC), octyl-dimethyl-PABA (OD-PABA), bexophenome-3 (Bp-3), homosalate (HMS) What It Is: Sunscreen chemicals Health Risks: Estrogenic activity; enhances the potential for pesticides to penetrate the skin Found In: Sunscreens

Polyethylene glycol (PEG, PPG, Cocoate), propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, polyethoxyethylene, polyethoxyethylene mineral oil What It Is: Petroleum byproducts Health Risks: Carcinogen; liver and kidney effects Found In: Lotions

Petrolatum What It Is: Derivative of petroleum Health Risks: Endocrine disrupter; carcinogen Found In: Lotions

Lead acetate, thimerosal, mercurius solubilis, mercurius sublimates, mercurius corrosives, mercuric chloride What It Is: Lead and mercury Health Risks: Found in higher levels in women with breast cancer; neurotoxin Found In: Hair color, wound treatments, artificial tears

Isobutene What It Is: Propellant made from petroleum processing Health Risks: Carcinogen Found In: Moisturizer, shaving cream, foot spray, breath freshener

Placenta What It Is: Placenta, placental enzymes, placental extract Health Risks: Filled with hormones that upset your own balance and increase estrogen Found In: Skin and hair conditioner

Hydroquinone What It Is: Hydroquinone Health Risks: Can cause a skin disease called ochronosis Found In: Skin whitener

Nano zinc oxide <100mm What It Is: Nanoparticles Health Risks: The safety of nanoparticles has not been tested, but they can cross the blood/brain barrier and move along nerves. Found In: Sunscreens, lotions

Many manufacturers list ingredients on product packaging and on their websites. Check the labels on your personal care products; if you see any of these 12 chemicals, it might be wise to limit the use of these products. Article highlights from Kelly Lerner and Alli Kingfisher; from Natural Home & Garden Magazine