The skin care industry is huge- in fact it is over$ 50 Billion in sales in 2018 and growing rapidly. Most industry observers project it to grown another 20 Billion by the year 2025. However, not all skin care products are created equally. Did you know that in the U.S. the industry is largely unregulated? How does that affect us as consumers? You might be interested to know that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only bans 30 chemicals that cannot be used in skin care products. These include your makeup, lotions, serums, creams, etc. Whereas the European Union bans 1328 chemicals from being used in skin care products! Included in the vast majority of skin care products in America are known toxic ingredients. Have you ever looked on the label of your skin care products only to find a long list of ingredients that you cannot even pronounce- folks, those are chemicals. We all know that processed foods are not good for our bodies- but are you aware that most people in America unknowingly ingest daily harmful toxins into the largest organ we have- our skin.

Here are just a few of the toxins and chemicals used in many skin care products that are linked to a variety of health problems:

Formaldehyde- yes, you read that right. The same chemicals used to embalm dead bodies are in many skin care products. It is a preservative fluid and is a recognized carcinogen (cancer causing agent) by the National Cancer Institute- with particularly higher risk for leukemia, but many unknowingly put this harmful chemical into their bodies daily while searching for the “fountain of youth”.

Parabens- Parabens have many other names and are used as preservatives in skin care products. They have been linked by scientists to an increased risk of contracting breast cancer and are routinely used in skin care products. A startling statistic is that 99% of patients with breast cancer have been found to have higher levels of parabens in their bodies. The National Chemical Society estimates that about 85% of personal care products in America contain parabens.

Synthetic fragrances- These ingredients are not fully disclosed. The requirements for “fragrance” or perfume is simply to list Fragrance or Perfume on the ingredient list. However, these chemical fragrances can be filled with thousands of separate ingredients- many which may be toxic. Even the word unscented may use “fragrances” to mask the smell of toxic chemicals. Fragrances have been linked to migraine headaches, asthma, and other respiratory problems. By contrast organic essential oils used as fragrances offer no side effects, and even can assist with out health.

Phthalates- A truly toxic skin care ingredient used to help your skin care product absorb into the skin- while also absorbing this known toxin that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Health and Human Services have classified phthalates as a probably human carcinogen! All natural products may take a short bit longer to absorb into the skin- but at least you are not also absorbing toxic chemicals into your largest organ in your body@

Petrochemicals- This category of chemical based ingredients encompass formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates sodium laureth sulfates, coal tar and more. They are known toxins used primarily to extend the shelf life of skin care products laden with toxic chemicals that are known to be dangerous to humans.

Borates- Boron containing chemical compounds, most commonly called sodium borate, boric acid, sodium perborate and perboric acid. These are used as preservatives and emulsifying agents in skin care products and sometimes teeth whitening tootpaste. Borates are banned by the European Union and have been linked to male and female sexual and birth defects.

The above list is but a small sampling of toxic products contained in our skin care products. We urge you to read your labels and choose all natural ingredients only to protect your health. To a more healthy lifestyle!!

Evidence:

Formaledehyde risk:

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-fact-sheet

Parabens FAQ

https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20151027/parabens-breast-cancer#1

Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health study on Fragrances by Dr. Anne Steinemann

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-018-0565-5

Carcinogens ratings

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/general-info/known-and-probable-human-carcinogens.html

EU report on Borates that have been banned since 2010 due to reproductive risks

https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_031.pdf