OT: Dangers of Mineral Oil in Baby Oil & other Beauty Products

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http://www.positivehealth.com/article-view.php?articleid=621

Mineral Oil Petroleum Derivative in Beauty Products

by Kit (more info)

listed in environmental, originally published in issue 84 - January 2003

Introduction

While it has become a habit for most consumers to scan food labels for

percentages of fat, sodium, and carbohydrates, most consumers have no idea

what they put on their skin.

However smart the consumer, one might be surprised to learn that many

manufacturers, most notably cosmetic manufacturers, do not even bother to

affix ingredient labels on their products (a 2 oz size of a product does

not have to list all the ingredients.) Of those that do, mineral oil is

usually at the top of the list, even in those products that boast 'oil

free' on their labels.

Relatively inexpensive and produced in large quantities, mineral oils are

the primary oils used in cosmetics, from baby oil to face creams, lipstick

and body lotions, to sunscreen and sun tan oils. Mineral oil is a mixture

of aliphatic, naphthalenic and aromatic liquid hydrocarbons derived from

petroleum. The composition of these oils varies depending on the crude oil

source, the refining process and the additives present.

Adverse Effects of Petroleum Products

Products produced from petroleum, such as mineral oils, are classified as

petrochemical pollutants. Petrochemical pollutants also known as

xenohormones (xeno meaning foreign) can have a variety of negative hormonal

effects in humans by blocking or opposing the action of oestrogen,

resulting in functional loss of ovarian follicles in females and decreased

progesterone production. The ultimate consequence of decreased progesterone

production, is oestrogen dominance, PMS, endometriosis, miscarriages and

many types of ovarian dysfunction. In addition, studies have shown

widespread damage to the immune system. Infants of women who have been

chronically exposed to xenohormones are particularly susceptible.[1]

Mineral oil coats the skin like plastic wrap, disrupting the skin's natural

immune barrier and inhibiting its ability to breathe and absorb the

'natural moisture factor' (moisture and nutrition). Your skin is a vital

organ that needs to work with your kidneys and liver to rid the body of

toxins. Anything that interferes with this transfer system blocks the

elimination of toxins. The skin needs to attract moisture to stave off

infection and bacteria. Mineral oil pulls moisture away from the basal

cells where cells are newly formed. This in turn slows down the cell

renewal rate that breaks down the collagen and elastin and then begins to

destroy the connective tissue. It also slows down skin function and normal

cell development, resulting in premature ageing of the skin and many other

health and skin disorders.

The sun is the number one cause of premature ageing and skin damage. Bad

cosmetics and skin care products containing mineral oil and other harmful

chemicals run a close second. Because mineral oil based skin care products

leave a waxy film barrier, it is very common for cosmetic companies to use

SD40 alcohols (isopropyl) in their toners to remove this film. Ever notice

the strong smell of alcohol when you open a bottle of toner? These alcohols

are also a petroleum derivative. Just one ounce of isopropyl alcohol

ingested can be fatal.[2]

More information is constantly being uncovered about the dangers of

sunscreen. Most sunblocks that claim to be 'waterproof' are currently under

scrutiny as suspected carcinogens. Although the medical establishment still

strongly supports the use of sunscreens, there is a growing consensus among

progressive researchers that the use of sunscreens does not prevent skin

cancer and, as a matter of fact, may promote skin cancers as well as colon

and breast cancer.[3]

Lip balms, gloss, and lipsticks also contain a significant amount of

mineral oil. These products actually produce the opposite effect of what

they were intended to do. Acting as a moisture barrier, the mineral oils

dehydrate the lips causing the consumer to have to constantly re-apply,

which achieves the desired effect, but only temporarily.

Hazardous Ingredients and Legislation

It is a well-documented fact that cosmetics and toiletries contain numerous

hazardous ingredients. According to the 1997 Environmental Contaminants

Encyclopedia, in humans, mineral oil can cause a variety of untoward

effects which can be life threatening. Researchers at s Hopkins

University are finding that toxins such as xenohormones can damage DNA and

lead to breast cancer.[1]

Yet not a single cosmetic company warns consumers of the presence of

harmful ingredients in its products - despite the fact that a number of

common cosmetic ingredients are carcinogenic or carcinogenic precursors.

" These ingredients pose risks of cancer, genetic damage and reproductive

toxicity (including infertility) to unsuspecting consumers, and their

infants and children " , said University of Illinois, School of Public Health

Emeritus, Professor Epstein MD.[4]

Senator Kennedy also expressed strong concerns on these risks, at

hearings on the 1997 FDA cosmetics reform bill. " Our message is that

cosmetics can be dangerous to your health...The American people have a

right to full and fair information about the actual and potential dangers

of the products they use every day. " Today, a coalition of public health

and environmental organizations are requesting Senator Kennedy to consider

legislation mandating labels for cosmetics and toiletries containing

ingredients that pose serious, irreversible health risks.[5]

Despite these considerations, the FDA denies consumers their right-to-know

by refusing to require label warnings on the risks of cosmetic ingredients.

This failure violates the 1938 Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act which

mandates that " each ingredient used in a cosmetic product...shall be

adequately substantiated for safety prior to marketing " , and which

authorizes the FDA to recall and seize unsafe products. Nevertheless, the

Agency merely requires a listing of the complex chemical names or their

abbreviations.[6]

Last year the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) revealed that

from 1997 to 1999, an estimated 6,400 children under five years of age

visited an emergency room after ingesting household chemical products

containing hydrocarbons. In addition, data from the American Association of

Poison Control Centers for 1993 to 1999 revealed 11,115 potential

aspiration exposures to cosmetic and household products containing

hydrocarbons.

The most recent fatality of which the CPSC is aware occurred in May of this

year after 16-month-old Jaiden Bryson of Bakersfield, Calif. aspirated a

baby oil product.[7]

On October 16, 2001 the CPSC voted unanimously to require child-resistant

packaging for some common household products and cosmetics containing

hydrocarbons that can poison children. Examples of household products and

cosmetics covered by the new packaging regulation include some baby oils,

sunscreens, nail enamel dryers, hair oils, bath, body, and massage oils,

makeup removers and other chemicals, and oil based solvents.

At the 2001 Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association annual meeting,

board members, which included representatives from Nu Skin, Herbalife,

Shaklee and various other well known brand names and private label cosmetic

companies, distributors, manufacturers and suppliers, met to review various

studies on topical chemicals suspected of being carcinogens. The members

revealed that they were aware of the fact that some of the chemicals used

in their products are harmful and carcinogenic, yet the only recommendation

from the board was to require 'warning' labels on select products.[3]

A Selection of Beauty Products Containing Petroleum

Jafra

Light & Lovely Cleansing Lotion: mineral oil, petrolatum, lanolin, lanolin

alcohol, artificial fragrances, artificial colours;

Facial Cocktail Skin Freshener: SD40 alcohol, fragrance, artificial colours;

Royal Moisture Creme: mineral oil, fragrance, lanolin, artificial colours.

Lancome

Cleanser Galatee: mineral oil;

Tonique Fraicheur: artificial colours red #4, yellow M, fragrance, alcohol-9%;

Hydrix (Moisturizer): mineral oil, lanolin, petrolatum, fragrance.

Kay

Creamy Cleanser #2: mineral oil, DMDM hydantoin;

Refining Freshener U2: SD40 alcohol, artificial colours;

Balancing Moisturizer #2: mineral oil;

Gentle Cleansing Cream #7: mineral oil, petrolatum, beeswax, paraffin.

Merle Norman

Cleansing Lotion: mineral oil, petrolatum, lanolin, animal products;

Fresh'N'Fair: SD40 alcohol, fragrance, colours;

Moisture Emulsion: mineral oil, fragrance, lanolin, alcohol.

Nuskin

NaPCA Moisture Cream: human placenta extract, hyaluronic acid, fragrance,

arachidylpropianate;

Rejuvenating Cream: human placenta extract, hyaluronic acid, quaternary

ammonium compounds;

Intensive Eye Complex: avian collagen.

Revlon Ultima II

Extraordinary Lotion Cleanser: mineral oil, lanolin, alcohol, hydrolyzed

animal protein, fragrance;

Extraordinary Firming Toner: SD40 alcohol, collagen hydrolyzed animal

protein, fragrance, colour;

Moisture Lotion Concentrate: lanolin, alcohol, collagen, hydrolyzed animal

protein, fragrance.

Shaklee

Proteinized Cleanser: petrolatum, lanolin, fragrance, colour;

Herbal Refreshener: SD40 alcohol, fragrance, colours

Shiseido

Facial Cleansing Cream: mineral oil, petrolatum, fragrance, beeswax;

Facial Soothing Lotion: fragrance, iron oxides;

Facial Moisturizing Lotion: alcohol, petrolatum, fragrance.

Avon

Natural Creamy Wash-Off Cleanser: petrolatum, lanolin, fragrance;

Nature Replenishing Toner: SD40 alcohol, fragrance, D and C red #33, #17,

DF & C yellow, #5 yellow, #2 violet.

Christian Dior

Hydra Dior Cleansing Emission: mineral oil, fragrance;

Stimulating Lotion: SD40 alcohol, fragrance, collagen.

Clinique

Extremely Gentle Cleansing Cream: mineral oil, petrolatum, lanolin,

artificial colours;

Clarifying Lotion 3: SD 40 alcohol, acetone, artificial colours;

Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion: mineral oil, lanolin,

petrolatum, artificial colours;

Super Powder Double Face Powder: talc, mineral oil, lanolin.

Arden Millenium

Hydrating Cleanser: mineral oil, artificial colours, artificial fragrances;

Revitalizing Toner: SD 40 alcohol, fragrance;

Night Renewal Cream: mineral oil, lanolin, fragrance, alcohol.

Erno Laszlo

Active pHeliiyl Oil: mineral oil, BHA, fragrance;

Light Controlling Lotion: SD40 alcohol, fragrance.

Estee Lauder (now owns Aveda Products as Welu)

Tender Cream Cleanser: mineral oil, fragrance;

Mild Action Protection Tonic: SD40 alcohol, fragrance, colour;

Skin Perfecting Cream: collagen, serum protein, fragrance;

Swiss Performing Extract: collagen, lanolin, mineral oil, lanolin, alcohol,

fragrance.

Hazardous Ingredients to Avoid

There are many harmful ingredients that consumers should avoid:

Mineral oil, petroleum, petrolatum - petrochemical xenohormones that are

now threatening not only our health but also the normal development of

humankind;

SD40 alcohol (isopropyl) - petroleum-derived substance, it is also used in

antifreeze and as a solvent in shellac and diluted essential oils. Fatal

when ingested;

Talc - poses a serious risk of ovarian cancer. Estimates are that up to 17%

of American women regularly use talc in the genital area. Women have been

compelled through advertisements of the cosmetic industry, to dust

themselves to mask odours. Talcum powder has historically been a symbol of

freshness, cleanliness and purity. Talc is even more commonly used on infants;

DEA, MEA, TEA, (diethanolamine, monoethanolamine and triethanolmine),

cocamide DEA, lauramide DEA - these are almost always in products that

foam, bubble bath, bodywash, shampoo, soap, facial cleanser. On the TV show

'CBS This Morning', a Baskin said: " It (DEA) is in hundreds of

cosmetic products but it does something more than make soap bubbles. A

Federal government study says that DEA and DEA-based detergents have been

shown to greatly increase the risk of cancer, especially liver and kidney

cancer " ;[7]

Fragrance - many of the compounds in fragrances are carcinogenic or

otherwise toxic. Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to

4,000 separate ingredients. Most, or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms

reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin

discolouration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation;

FD and C colour pigments - according to A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic

Ingredients: " Many (pigments) cause skin sensitivity and irritation and

absorption (of certain colours) can cause depletion of oxygen in the body,

and death " .[8] In Home Safe Home, author Debra Lynn Dadd said: " Colours

that can be used in foods, drugs and cosmetics are made from coal tar.

There is a great deal of controversy about their use because animal studies

have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic " ;[9]

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) - not only are these potentially carcinogenic,

but they contribute to stripping the skin's natural moisture factor,

leaving the immune system vulnerable;

Triclosan - the EPA gives triclosan high scores both as a human health risk

and as an environmental risk.

Most people that buy and sell products containing these ingredients don't

even know they are harmful. The FDA has a GRAS list (Generally Regarded As

Safe), and almost everything is listed there. Marketers selling these

products mainly focus on the marketing hype and what the product is

supposed to do for skin (clean it, make it feel soft, etc.). Sadly, of the

7000 ingredients used on the skin, only 5-6 have been tested for long-term

safety, and none have been tested together. Currently, 125 ingredients are

strongly suspected carcinogens, 20 cause adverse nervous system reactions

and 25 are connected to birth defects.[6]

In 2001, consumers purchased just under $21.0 billion-worth of healthcare

and personal products, such as cosmetics and other toiletries, without

proof that they even do what they claim. So what are consumers really

buying? Just a quick look at a few of the popular brands may change your

buying habits forever.[10]

Child safety packaging and product warning labels are not enough. Not even

close. Petrochemicals are all around us. They're pervasive in the air,

soil, water, foo, and products we use on a daily basis. Therefore, your

strategy has to be first education and awareness and then to take all the

personal steps that you can to minimize your exposure.

Consumers must get into the habit of looking for all natural, botanically

formulated products (plant derived). Don't be fooled by those that claim to

be botanical but are actually mineral oil based with added herbs and

nutrients. Although these companies are far and few between, they are out

there. Unfortunately you will not be likely to find these products on the

shelves of your favourite drug or department store. While mineral oil based

products have a 15-year shelf life, true botanicals usually expire after a

couple of years. Ingredients such as herbal and botanical extracts,

apricot, camellia and chamomile oils, and natural fragrances such as

jasmine, lavender and orange blossom are indicative of true botanicals.

As health conscious consumers we seem to be on our own with this matter. It

doesn't appear that government legislation or the private sector will

prohibit the use of harmful chemicals any time soon. There is a lot of

helpful information available for anyone that wants to take the time to

educate themselves. And, there are safe alternatives available. You just

have to know where to look for them.

References and Bibliography

1. Lee R, PhD. Breast Cancer, How Hormone Balance Can Help Save Your

Life. Warner Books. 2002.

2. Journal of the American College of Toxicology. 2(7). 1983.

3. Edell Dr Dean. HealthCentral.com, The Lancet. Jan 22, 2000.

4. Epstein S, MD. Major Cosmetic and Toiletry Ingredient Poses

Avoidable Cancer Risks. Chicago Newswire. July 15, 2002.

5. AScribe News, The Public Interest Newswire. Groups Call for Labeling of

Cosmetics and Toiletries, Citing Cancer and Other Health Risks. Chicago.

Aug 15, 2002.

6. US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied

Nutrition Office of Cosmetics. Fact Sheet. December 9, 1999.

7. Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20207. Release

# 02-015. CPSC Requires Child-Resistant Packaging for Common Household

Products Containing Hydrocarbons, Including Some Baby Oils. October 16, 2001.

8. Winter Ruth. A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. 4th

Edition. Crown Publishers. 1994.

9. Dadd Debra Lynn. Home Safe Home. Tarcher/Putnam (Putnam Publishing

Group). New York. 1997.

10. Ruth. Quarterly Retail Commodity Survey. The Daily. April, 10.

2002.

11. McGehee M , PhD. Triclosan. www.lindachae.com

12. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 92: 1657-1666. 2000.

13. Steinman . Do You Use These Products? Natural Health Magazine.

September/October: 54-56. 1997.

14. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Alpha Hydroxy Acids for Skin

Care, Smooth Sailing or Rough Seas? FDA Consumer. March-April 1998; Revised

May 1999.

15. Franz D et al. Smelling Good But Feeling Bad. E Magazine. 11(1).

Jan-Feb 2000.

16. Daughton CG et al. Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the

Environment: Agents of Subtle Change. Environmental Health Perspectives.

107(Supplement 6). December 1999.

17. Lyman Francesca. Concerns over chemicals in cosmetics.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/472235.asp. October 4, 2000.

Other Educational Resources:

R Lee MD, P.O. Box 84900, Phoenix, AZ 85071; Tel: (800) 528-0559 or

(602) 252-4477; Fax (602) 943-2363; info@...

S Epstein MD - Professor Emeritus, Environmental and Occupational

Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, School of Public Health,

Chairman, the Cancer Prevention Coalition, Tel: 312-996-2297; epstein@...

Kramer - Director of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Cancer

Prevention Coalition, Tel: 310 457 5176;

shelley@...; www.Healthy-Communications.com

Mark Helm - Director, Media Relations, Friends of the Earth, Washington,

DC, Tel: 202-783-7400 x102; mwhelm@...

Friends of the Earth, UK - 26-28 Underwood Street, London N1 7JQ, Tel: 020

7490 1555; Fax: 020 7490 0881; info@...; www.foe.co.uk

Bryony Schwan - National Campaigns Director, Women's Voices for the Earth,

Tel: 406-543-3747; swan@...

American College of Toxicology: www.actox.org/newsltr.htm

Consumer Ingredients Review: www.cir-safety.org

--------------------------------------------------------

Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Nevada City CA & Wales UK

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