At this point we have all become aware of how important it is to pay attention to what we put in & on our bodies. Our skin is a direct path to our blood stream so I recommend being extra cautious when choosing personal care products. As “natural” & “clean” skin care has become popular there has also been an increase in “green washing” marketing. Just because something is labeled as organic or natural, doesn’t necessarily mean it is totally free of concerning ingredients. This list of potentially harmful ingredients to avoid in your personal care products was originally put together by Becky Kuehn of Oncology Spa Solutions (where I received my Oncology Esthetics certification). Screen shot this list so you have access to it when considering new products:
Fragrance- top concerns: Allergies, toxicity, skin sensitivity, dermatitis, immune toxicant, neurotoxicity, cancer, endocrine disruption. May also be labeled as: Naticide, Conarom H-3 (a blend of) PPG-2 methylether, piperonal and phenylpropanol, Conarom E (a blend of) PPG-2 methylether, piperonal and phenylethanol, Conarom P (a blend of ) Phenylethanol, caprylyl glycol and trideceth-8, BHT, BHA, DBP, DEP, DMP, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, Citronellols, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hexyl Salicylate, Isoeugenol, Methylionone, Phenylacetaldehyde, Antioxyne b, Antrancine 1 2, Eec no. e320, Embanox, Nipantiox, 1-f, Protex, Sustane 1-f, Tenox BHA
Phthalates- top concerns: cancer, toxicity, allergies and endocrine disruption. May also be labeled as DBP, BBP, DEHP, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dibutyl este, dbp, di-n-butylphthalate, dibutyl 1,2-bensenedicarboxylate, dibutyl ester 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dibutyl phthalate, benzene-o-dicarboxylic acid di-n-butyl ester; celluflex.
Triclosan- top concerns: persistence, bio accumulation, organ system toxicity, endocrine disruption, eye, skin and lung irritant. May also be labeled as 5-chlora-2- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol, 2,4,4’-trichlora-2’-hydroxy diphenyl ether, 5chloro2, trichloro-2’-hydroxydiphenyl ether, ch 3565; irgasan; irgasan dp300; phenol.
Formaldehyde- top concerns: Cancer, toxicity, immunotoxicity, irritation and endocrine (hormone) disruption, mutagenic. May also be labeled as DMDM Diazolidinyl Urea, Quaternium 15 and Bronopol, formalin, formid aldehyde, merthaldehyde, methanal, methyl aldehyde, oxomethane, oxymethelyne, aldehyd mravenci, aldehyde formique, aldeide formica, bfv, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, phenylacetyl urea, a-1348, acetylureum, alpha-phenylacetylurea, carbamide, phenylacetate, carbanmide, cetylureum, comitiadone, eferon, epheron, epiclase.
DEA & TEA- top concerns: Cancer, allergies and immunotoxicity. May also be labeled as Diethanolamine, Triethanolamine, N, N-diethanolamine, 2,2’-dihydroxydiethylamine, 2,2’-iminobisethanol, 2,2’-iminodiethanol, ethanol 2,2iminobis, DEA, 2,2’-dihydroxydiethylamine, 2’(2-hydroxyethyl) amine, 2,2’,2”-Nitrilotris-; 2,2’,2”-Nitrilotris, TEA, TROLAMINE, Nitriloriehanol, Alkanolamine 244, Daltogen, Nitrilo-2,2’,2”, Triethanol, Sterolamide.
Coal Tar Derivitives- top concerns: Cancer, toxicity, allergies, immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption and organ toxicity.
May also be labeled as Toluene, & BHT, Benzene, methyl, Methylbenzene, Toluol, Antisal 1 a benzene, methyl cp 25, Methacide, Methane, phenul, FD&C or D&C, followed by a color or a number (e.g., FD&C yellow No. 5) allura red, allura red ac, c.i. 16035, c.i. Food red 17.
Parabens- top concerns: Cancer and endocrine disruption.
May also be labeled as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and ethylparaben.
Propylene Glycol- top concerns: Cancer, toxicity, allergies, hives, eczema, irritaion (eyes, skin or lungs), enhanced skin absorption, dermatitis, sensitizing & organ system toxicity, dryness.
May also be labeled as 1,2-dihydroxypropane, 2-hydroxypropanol, methylethyl glycol, 1,2-propanedial, propane-1,2-diol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,2-propylenglykol, alpha-propyleneglycol, dowfrost, methylethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, methyl glycol, and trimethyl glycol, PEG or PPG.
Octoxynols- top concerns: cancer, toxicity, endocrine disruptor, human skin toxicant.
May also be labeled as Octoxynols with any number behind it, peg-20, PEG-40 octyl phenyl ether, Polyethylene Glycol 2000 Octyl Phenyl Ether, carboxylic acid; polyethylene glycol 1000, polyoxyethylene, nonaethylene glycol octylphenyl ether, antarox a-200, ethoxylated p-tert-octylphenol, hydrol sw, octylphenol polyethoxylate, actylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, polyethyleneglycol 4- (tert-octyl) phenyl ether, preceptin.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate- top concerns: cancer, allergies and immunotoxicity, 1-4 dioxane contamination.
May also be labeled as dodecyl sodium sulfate;peg- (1-4) lauryl ether sulfate, polyethylene glycol, poly (oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),a -sulfo-w (dodecyloxy), polyoxyethylene (1-4) lauryl ether sulfate, sodium peg lauryl ether sulfate; sodium polyoxyethylene.
Ethyl Acetate- top concerns: cancer, neurotoxicity, irritation, organ system toxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity.
May also be labeled as Acetic acid, Ethyl ester, Ethyl ester acetic acid, Acetic acid ethyl ester, Acetic ether, Acetidin, Acetoxyethane, Aethylacetat, Essigester, Ethyl acetate (acgih:osha), Ethyl acetic ester, Ethyl ethanoate.
Aluminum- top concerns: cancer, rash, irritation, immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, impaired kidney function, bone disease and tissue damage and has been found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
May also be labeled as Aluminum zirconium, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine complex, Aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex gly.
Mineral Oil/ Petrochemicals- top concerns: Immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity, alleries and cancer.
May also be labeled as mineral oil, liquidum paraffinum, paraffin oil, paraffin wax, petrolatum and toluene.
Oxybenxone- top concerns: Developmental and reproductive toxicity, allergies, immunotocixity, endocrine disruption, enhanced absorption, organ system toxicity, ecotoxicology, bio chemical and cellular level changes.
May also be labeled as benzophenone-3, 2-benzoyl-5-methoxyphenol; 2-hydroxy-4methoxybenzophenone; (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) phenylmethanone; methanone, phenyl-methanone; benzophenone-3, oxybenzone 6; methanone, b3; durascreen; solaquin.
The good news is that you are in control here. You can choose where you invest your money, energy and time in order to protect yourself and your family. All of the products offered at Wholelistic Esthetics have been researched and curated so you can feel confident in the safety of all treatments.