Do you know what is in your face products???

Have you ever heard that 60% of what you put on your body is actually absorbed "into" your body?!?! Well, we have.......... and that to us is where we drew the line. Just think about that statistic? Your toxic nail polish, your paraben cancer causing lotion, all of those nasty chemicals and they are swimming around in your body. Who knows if they ever work their way out! When we started researching all of these chemicals and learned that most of the ingredients are even banned in other countries, it really became a wake-up call. Maybe it is just us but we sure as heck feel a lot better and am able to sleep at night after knowing exactly what is in and on, my body. We now try to buy mostly organic products or, if they are not organic, we at least know what to look for in the ingredients and also try to make them ourselves. Not only are we saving money that way but our newly toxic-free body loves us so much more.....!

Here's a list of what you should absolutely avoid. We found this once again in our trusty Gorgeously Green book and also crossed referenced it with the Environmental Working Group and the EPA (environmental protection agency). If you have these toxins right now in any of your products, we kindly suggest bringing them down to your local hazardous waste facility. That's right! They are considered hazardous waste. That's scary enough in itself!

RED ALERT

• Coal Tar: Used in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams, coal tar is a known carcinogen. Coal tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, which are used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green ,which is used in mouthwash, should be avoided.
• Fragrance: This ubiquitous term is used to mask hundreds of ingredients, including phthalates, which disrupt the endocrine system and could cause reproductive and developmental harm. Also linked to neurotoxicity and neurodevelopmental disorders, toxicity of the brain, kidneys, liver & lungs and birth defects. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, "every" person tested (all of them) had detectable levels of phthalates in his/her body. Women of childbearing age & kids are at the greatest risk.
• Hydroquinone: Commonly found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, it is a neurotoxin and is allergenic.
• Aluminum: Often used in eye shadow as a color additive and also used in deodorants, it is listed as carcinogenic, toxic, and mutagenic.
• Triclosan: This chemical is used in almost all antibacterial products, including soap, toothpaste, and cosmetics. Triclosan is often contaminated with dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic and can also weaken your immune system, decrease fertility , and cause birth defects.
• P-Phenylenediamine: This is the chemical that has given a bad name to regular hair dye. It can damage your nervous system, cause lung irritation, and cause severe allergic reactions. It's also listed as 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine and 4-Phenylenediamine.
• Lead and Mercury: Lead could appear in toothpaste as a naturally occurring contaminant of hydrated silica. It is a neurotoxin that also appears as lead acetate in men's hair dye. Mercury is found in a cosmetic preservative called thimerosol.

This next list called the "orange alert" list is also taken from Gorgeously Green, as well as a book called Easy Green Living. If you have products with these items in it, then you can use yours up and then just decide to not buy them again. The next time around just try and make a more informed eco-conscious choice. If you are extreme like us though, we just threw everything away! After probably spending $100's of dollars on some of our prior products and then hoarding them underneath our sink for decades, we simply decided to chuck the whole lot! After reading things like..... hormone disruptors, leads to breast cancer, etc., we thought, hmmmm... Let me think about this, yeah I think I will take my chances and go for the good stuff!! So, here it is:

Orange Alert

• Cocamide DEH
• Lauramide DEA
• Cocamide MEA
• Triethanolamine TEA
• Diethanolamine DEA
• Mineral Oils: Can also be labeled as "petroleum" or "liquid paraffin". They coat the skin like plastic so it cannot breathe. Slow down the skin's natural functions and cell development, resulting in premature aging. Can also be contaminated with PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) which can be carcinogenic. Stay away from petroleum jelly.
• Parabens (methy-, ethyl-, propyl, butyl, isobutyl): These are synthetic preservatives. Found in hair shampoos, conditioners, styling products, soaps & body washes, moisturizers, shaving creams & gels, cosmetics & makeup, toothpastes. Studies link parabens with acute & chronic health hazards.
  A. Butylparaben & Methylparaben: Linked with allergies & skin toxicity, biochemical changes, developmental & reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, tissue irritation & organ toxicity.
  B. Ethylparaben: Linked with cancer, as well as the other disrupters above.
  C. Propylparaben: As well as disrupters above this is highly toxic to the environment.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES): This ingredient is derived from coconut oil. It is used in brake fluid and antifreeze and also in a huge variety of skin care products, including toothpaste, shampoo, bubble bath & soap. Basically found in anything that lathers. Known to irritate skin. They lower the skin's immunological response. The increased penetration by SLS & SLES messes with our skin's integrity and lowers its natural immune response. Environmental Working Group considers it to be a carcinogen.
• Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): PEG is a potential carcinogen that is typically used as a grease-dissolving cleaner and a thickener for skin care products. These chemicals are deemed to be so toxic by the EPA that workers have to wear protective clothing when handling them. They can easily penetrate your skin, causing brain, liver, and kidney malfunctions. Also look out for propylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, & butylene glycol.
• Formaldeyde-Producing Preservatives: Formaldehyde is not often seen on personal care products but it's released by many commonly used preservatives. Here are the most common:
  A. Diazolidinyl Urea: found in face & body moisturizers, cleansers & body washes, sunscreens & hair conditioners & styling products. Linked to cancer, allergic reaction, skin toxicity & neurotoxicity in forms of brain & nervous system effects.
  B. Imidazolidinyl Urea: found in face & body moisturizers, cleansers & body washes, sunscreens, feminine products, cosmetics, including foundations, powders, eye shadows & mascara. Linked to allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, cell toxicity & skin toxicity.
  C. Dimethyl-dimethyl hydantoin: found in hair shampoos, conditioners, styling products, face & body moisturizers, cleansers, body washes & sunscreens. Linked to allergic reaction, irritation of the eyes, skin & lungs & organ toxicity.
  D. Quaternium-15: found in face & body washes, cleansers, shampoos & conditioners, baby shampoos, soaps, sunscreens & cosmetics. Linked to allergic reactions, skin sensitization, reproductive effects & birth defects.
  E. Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol): found in face & body moisturizers, washes & cleansers, soaps & hair conditioners, styling products. Linked to allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, skin sensitization, birth defects, severe skin toxicity & endocrine disruption.
• Talc: Found in baby products, underarm deodorants, & cosmetic powder products. Talc contains a chemical that is similar to asbestos & can increase the risk of certain ovarian cancers.
• Acrylates & Methacrylates: Found in nail products, these products can cause contact dermatitis.
• Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40): This additive is very common in cosmetics. It is a dying agent that strips off the outer layers of skin, exposing you to bacteria and other toxins. It can also promote brown spots and even accelerates aging!
• Tocopherol Acetate: This may sound innocent, but it is a synthetic version of vitamin E, which is a suspected carcinogen and causes dermatitis.
• Phenonip: This is a preservative blend that contains the aforementioned parabens: phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, proylparaben, and isobutylparaben.
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats): The oddly named "Quats" are used as preservatives. They are primary cause of contact dermatitis. They will be listed on your ingredient list as benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, quaterium-15, & quaternium 1-29.
• Cationic Surfactants: found in your hair conditioner. They were originally used in the paper industry but, ironically, can make your hair dry & brittle after long-term use. They are also allergenic & toxic. Look out for these ingredients: stearalkonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride, cetalkonium chloride, and lauryl dimonium hydrolyzed collagen.
• Benzyl Alcohol: Look out for this ingredient list, as it is a petrochemical that can be a sever irritant to your eyes & respiratory system.
• Silicone Derived Emollients: These chemicals coat your skin like plastic wrap and even worse, can accumulate in your liver & lymph nodes, which can promote the tumor growth. These emollients include: dimethicone, dimethicone copolyol and cyclomethicone
• Carbomer 934, 940, 941, 960, 961C: This chemical is used as a stabilizer & thickener in creams, cosmetics, toothpaste, and bath products. It is a known allergen that causes eye irritation.
  

Well, here you go!! You are now more informed than ever. The absolute BEST place to go now as you are replenishing your new products is http://www.ewg.com/ (environmental working group). Here you can type in your new product of choice and it will break down all of the ingredients and what they mean. Now, before we buy anything we always go to our new trusty source!! Have fun.....