Phthalate: Cosmetic Ingredient Safety

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This will blow you away! . .. . How many of these chemicals are you using? - Rogene

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Cosmetic Ingredient Safety

- Wellness-, Health- and Wellbeing-Blog DEHP: Di (2 - ethylhexyl) Phthalate 4. DEP: Diethyl Phthalate

..... that silicone

used in breast implants can be

toxic to the body if leaked into the system. ...

http://blog.wellness-shop.com/wellness/Cosmetic-Ingredient-Safety.html

- 49k - similar pages Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Most people use their

ranges of cosmetics without a thought to what it is that they are allowing to

be absorbed into their bodies. On average we use 10 personal care/cosmetic

products in a day, from toothpaste to moisturiser, to deodorants &

perfumes. Cosmetic companies at present are not required to do any health tests

on cosmetic products before they sell them. Industrial products are the main

basis of a lot of skincare ingredients. This counts for 1 in every 8

ingredients registered for use in cosmetics. A lot of these ingredients are

carcinogens, reproductive disruptors, pesticides, endocrine disruptors,

plasticizers, surfactants & degreasers. For

example, researchers have proven that paraben, used as a preservative is a

known endocrine disruptor, as it has oestrogenic properties. When traces of

paraben were found in breast cancer tissue, it raised alarm that this may have

come from underarm deodorant. As around 57% of cosmetic products contain

penetration enhancers such as urea, this can drive any potentially harmful

ingredients quickly into the blood stream. Cosmetic ingredients do not sit on

the surface of the skin – they are designed to penetrate, therefore,

while it may seem that we are using all of these ingredients at safe levels, it

is likely that we are being overexposed each day, by the fact that we layer

products on our skin – if all of this is absorbed, then the concentration

would be anything but safe to our bodies.

Products which have the claim “dermatologist tested” or

“allergy tested” still do not carry any guarantee that you will not

have an adverse reaction to them. You may not even have an adverse reaction

upon its first use, but over time, as the level of ingredient absorption

reaches a level of overexposure, it is likely that this will come out as some

kind of skin reaction.

Ingredient composition in the bottle, changes on the surface of the skin. As

alcohol and water evaporate quickly, you will be left with very different

compounds on the surface of the skin, than what it was when it was still in the

bottle.

Never use cosmetics past their expiry date, as this can also be hazardous to

your health. Cosmetic preservatives, whilst very effective, do degrade over

time, and the level of microorganisms found in the cosmetics will increase over

time. Especially with products like mascara, which are being used around the

eye, and then dipped back in the bottle. Should the product become contaminated

with bacteria, it is likely to cause eye infections.

Ion Cosmetics© is dedicated to using only safe ingredients, and only buy

ingredients which come with MSDS sheets, to show their purity. We do not use

any parabens, or any industry chemicals in our cosmetics. Because we know that

it is not necessary in order to achieve a good cosmetic product. We do not

support the petroleum industry either and use no petroleum based products in

our products. We do not support any cruelty to animals, and we do not support

the use of synthetic ingredients. We keep our products as nature identical as

humanly possible.

We take the safety of the body and the environment very seriously. It is not

known just what the effects of product layering does over time, but it is a

known fact that the more exposure a person has to an ingredient – the

more the risk of overexposure. If you are using personal care products

extensively, and are using multiple products daily, then you need to start

assessing the ingredients that you are exposing yourself to, and just what the

long term side effects could be. Some ingredients have been proven to have

effects on the reproductive system, and could even harm the health of the

foetus if overexposure occurs. Bearing in mind also, that each individual is

sensitive to ingredients differently. What may effect one person, may not

necessarily cause reactions in another.

Ion Cosmetics© is a member of the Campaign for safe Cosmetics

(www.safecosmetics.org) and also the Pledge for truthful labelling

(www.naturalingredient.org).

The risks associated with contaminated ingredients:

There is a huge risk to consumers, that they are in fact using products that

contain ingredients that are contaminated with trace ingredients which are

potential carcinogens. Trace contaminants are usually found in petroleum based

ingredients which are readily absorbed by the skin, and this is due to the use

of ingredients which have been used without testing for any potential

contamination. Or it may be that the ingredients meet the FDA standards of 1

part per 10,000,000. This may be so for that particular ingredient – but

then add it in with another 5 ingredients in the same product with the same

levels!

1,4 Dioxane

Consumers need to beware of products potentially contaminated with 1,4 Dioxane

(Diethylene Oxide). 1,4 dioxane is a clear liquid, which dissolves in water at

all levels. It is primarily used as a solvent in the manufacture of chemicals,

and 1,4 Dioxane is a trace contaminant of some chemicals used in cosmetics,

detergents, and shampoos. People may also be exposed to 1,4 dioxane by

breathing air, drinking water, or eating foods that contain 1,4-dioxane. During

showering, bathing, or laundering, 1,4-dioxane in tap water may volatilize and

you can be exposed to 1,4-dioxane vapors.

Your skin may contact 1,4 dioxane when you use cosmetics, detergents, and

shampoos containing 1,4 dioxane.

It is a considered carcinogenic ingredient, and can also effect the kidneys

& liver, and cause nasal irritation when the vapour is inhaled, but is

found in high levels in the childrens products tested by the Campaign for Safe

Cosmetics. Furthermore, this can be in a mixture of different products, and the

risks associated are not worth gambling with.

1,4 Dioxane, of course will never appear on an ingredient listing, but it can

help to avoid ingredients which are commonly contaminated such as:

"PEG," "polyethylene," "polyethylene glycol,"

"polyoxyethylene," "polyethoxyethylene," or

"polyoxynolethylene”, -eth-” (such as sodium laureth sulfate),

“oxynol” "ceteareth," or "oleth.". Always buy

from a company that you know is stringent about safety standards.

The Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) states the following about

ingredient contamination: “1,4-dioxane is just the tip of the iceberg.

Our analyses show that 80 percent of all products may be contaminated with one

or more of the two dozen recognized cosmetic impurities that are linked to

cancer and other health concerns. These trace contaminants in petroleum-based

ingredients often readily penetrate the skin according to government and

industry studies, and their presence in products is not restricted by

government safety standards — they are legal at any level. In our 2004

online survey of the cosmetics and personal care products used by 2,300 people,

we found that impurities are so ubiquitous that one of every five adults is

potentially exposed every day to all of the top seven carcinogenic impurities

common to personal care product ingredients — hydroquinone, ethylene

dioxide, 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde, nitrosamines, PAHs, and acrylamide.”

Therefore, it is of great importance that you do think carefully about the

products that you use on a daily basis, even down to those rinse of products

that you use in the shower. After all, it may not be remaining on your skin,

but is getting flushed down the waterways to potentially contaminate our

precious environment.

Please see below for a list of the most commonly used ingredients in major

cosmetic brands, which are definite cause for concern.

Phthalates:

Phthalates are a group of industrial chemicals, mainly used in plastics, to

give them flexibility. They are very hazardous ingredients, and are still

commonly used in cosmetics, in major brands. The European Union has banned the

use of these chemicals, yet they are still readily available on the market and

are linked to reproductive damage. We suggest that you check any labels, and do

not purchase any product which contains phthalates for your own safety!

Chemical names for Phthalates and their abbreviations are:

1. BBP: Benzyl Butyl Phthalate

2. DBP: Di(n-butyl) Phthalate

3. DEHP: Di (2 - ethylhexyl) Phthalate

4. DEP: Diethyl Phthalate

5. DHP: Di-n- hexyl Phthalate

6. DID: Di- isodecyl Phthalate

7. DINP: Di – isononyl phthalate

8. DMP: Di-methyliso phthalate

9.DNOP: Di-n-octyl phthalate

10.MBP: Mono-n-butyl phthalate

11.MPP: Monopentyl phthalate

Paraben (Methyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, ethyl paraben, isobutyl

paraben, benzyl paraben.)

Parabens are a group of chemical preservatives used in cosmetics. They are in

fact used to prevent the growth of bacteria in a wide range of products, from

food to cosmetics. Scientists have raised concerns that parabens need to be

looked into for further safety evaluations, indicating that several types of

parabens can actually bind to the estrogen receptors in the body, and that they

caused estrogen like responses in the body. A study was performed on whether

parabens would be detected in human breast tumour tissue, in 2004. It was found

that several types of paraben were found intact, unmetabolised in the 20

samples tested. While there is no link that the parabens pose a risk of

development of cancer tissues – it does show that paraben remains in the

body tissues unmetabolised, therefore leading to overexposure. Further studies

may at a later date, make this link. It is certain that many parabens have an

estrogenic affect on the body, but it has not been made clear if this is in a

high enough concentration to cause damage to the tissue. However, long term

use, and heavy use of products containing this ingredient, will definitely add

to any safety risk involved in this ingredient. We don’t think that it is

worth taking the risk with this ingredient and therefore avoid it. We believe

that it is an unsafe, and unnecessary ingredient. Therefore we do not use

paraben in any of our Ion Cosmetics© products.

Hyaluronic Acid:

Hyaluronic Acid is a natural protein found in umbilical cords, sperm, testes

and the fluids around the joints. A lot of cosmetics are using this ingredient

quoting that it has anti-aging properties. It has been known to cause skin

irritations when taken internally and around injection sites, as it is used for

a dermal filler as well. We don’t use hyaluronic acid in Ion

Cosmetics© products, as it is extracted from animals.

Butylene Glycol:

Butylene glycol is a humectant, and it is one of the few humectants which has

not even made it to the GRAS list (Generally regarded as safe). Ingestion of

this ingredient may cause transient stimulation of the nervous system followed

by depression, drowsiness and vomiting, and can lead to kidney damage. It is a

petroleum based ingredient and must never be used in a higher percentage than

5%. When thinking about penetration enhancers however, it could be easy for a

person to suffer overexposure to this chemical if being used in more than one

product daily. We do not use it in Ion Cosmetics© products, as not only do

we regard it as unsafe, but we do not use petroleum based ingredients in any of

our products.

Isopropyl Myristate:

Isopropyl alcohol and myristate. It has been found that this ingredient causes

blackheads, and has been removed from most newer formulations. A bigger danger

occurs with this ingredient however, as it is an absorption enhancer, which

means it could increase absorption of any contaminants up to 230 times! Bad

news we think! We do not use penetration enhancers in our Ion Cosmetics©

products.

Stearic Acid

Occurs naturally in butter acids, tallow and other animal fats and oils. It

gives pearliness to products, and is a common sensitizer with consumers. We do

not use animal products in our Ion Cosmetics© products.

Calcium Oxide:

Calcium oxide is obtained from limestone. It is use as an alkali in cosmetics,

but is a strong caustic, that may cause severe irritation on the skin. We do

not use any known irritants in our Ion Cosmetics© products.

Urea:

A product of protein metabolism excreted from human urine. It is synthetically

manufactured and it is used as a preservative and is a penetration enhancer.

Lanolin:

Lanolin, whilst considered a “natural” product, is a product of the

oil glands of sheep. It is a comedogenic, meaning it blocks the pores much like

a commercially manufactured petroleum based mineral oil would. Lanolin, is a

very common skin sensitizer, causing allergic contact skin rashes. The FDA issued

a notice in 1992, that Lanolin, is not safe and effective as claimed and is

never used in its pure form anymore, due to its allergy causing potential. It

is likely that the lanolin, remains contaminated with any chemicals used on the

sheep before the lanolin is extracted from the wool.

Mineral Oil

Whilst mineral oil, sounds as though it would be loaded with nutrients, and

great for the skin, this is not the case. It is actually a petroleum by

product, and is a mixture of refined hydro carbons. It leaves a coating on the

surface of the skin, almost like plastic, and is renowned for the fact that it

blocks the pores of the skin, preventing the release of toxins from the skin,

causing acne and infection. We do not use any petroleum products in our Ion Cosmetics©

products.

FD & C colourants:

Coal tar derived colourants. They contain heavy metal salts which are toxic on

the skin. FD & C stands for Food, drug and cosmetic, although a lot of the

colours used in cosmetic formulations are banned for the use of food. With the

use of penetration enhancers, we consider that if they cannot be ingested, then

putting them on the surface of the skin for potential absorption is not safe

either. A lot of the yellow FD & C colourants are known to cause allergic

reactions in individuals. For example FD & C Yellow no.5 cannot be used by

those who are allergic to aspirin. FD & C red no.3 was removed from the

approved list in 1990 for external drug use & cosmetic use, yet amazingly

is still listed as approved for food and ingested drugs! We do not use any

FD & C colours in our cosmetics, as not only is there questions about their

safety, but they are synthetically derived, so are not used in our Ion

Cosmetics© products.

Nitrosating agents:

The introduction of nitrogen and oxygen of molecules into a compound, that may

cause the compound to form nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are the most potent

cancer causing compounds known. Nitrosamines are compounds which are formed

when chemicals containing nitrates, act with amine, which are natural chemicals

found in food, and found in the body. There are numerous chemicals capable of

reacting with nitrate, which is why they are found in tobacco smoke,

pesticides. We do not believe they have a place in cosmetics. Ingredients known

as nitrosating agents are:

1.Cocoyl Sarcosine

2.DEA compounds

3. Imidazolidinyl Urea

4. Formaldehyde

5. Hydrolysed Animal Protein

6. Lauryl Sarcosine

7. MEA compounds

8. Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, etc

9. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

10. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate

11. Sodium Laureth Sulfate

12. Ammonium Laureth Sulfate

13. Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

14. TEA compounds

Silicone:

Silicone, much like mineral oil, coats the skins surface, therefore not

allowing the release of toxins, or the evaporation of sweat. Prolonged exposure

to this causes irritation of the skin, and also infection from bacteria. Some

silicones are known to promote tumours, and it is a known fact that silicone

used in breast implants can be toxic to the body if leaked into the system. We

do not use silicone in our Ion Cosmetics© products. It is however used in

a lot of long wear, colourstay formulations by major companies.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids:

The following AHA’s are used in cosmetics: glycolic acid, lactic acid,

malic acid, citric acid, alpha-hydroxyethenoic acid, hydroxy fruit acids, sugar

cane extract. The FDA has a particular concern about AHA’s as unlike

traditional cosmetic products, they seem capable of penetrating the skin

barrier. Certain types of AHA can affect the skin in a manner similar to that

of chemical peels – that is increasing cell turnover rate, and decreasing

the thickness of the outer skin. This is totally depending on the pH level of

the product in concern. Additional concern was raised in 1996, when it was

found that AHAs increased sensitivity to the sun. It was also found that those

who were exposed to the sun with and AHA present received twice the damage to

the cells as well. Therefore, the FDA proposed that AHA must only be used in a

less than 10% concentration, and must have a pH of 3.5 or higher, and it must

be in a product that contains and SPF or must contain a warning that additional

sun protection will be required with that product.

With this in mind, we are aware that the pH level of a product may change, when

used in conjunction with other products of different pH levels, and we do not

consider AHA a safe ingredient to use.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

Mainly used in shampoos and cleansing products as an anionic surfactant. The

main concern with Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is that it causes sensitivity in a

very wide range of people, in concentrations of 3% or less. It can be derived

from coconut. It is stated that it is a potent irritant, but is not

“toxic” to the skin. We don’t use known irritants in our Ion

Cosmetics© products, so we avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulphate.

Chitosan:

Chitosan is from the exoskeleton from shellfish. We don’t use any kinds

of animal ingredients in our Ion Cosmetics© products.

Squalane:

Oil derived from shark liver oil. It is a lubricant, and is considered an

emollient, but given our stance on animal derived ingredients, we do not use

this ingredient either.

Dieathanolamine(DEA)

This is a colourless liquid used as a solvent, foaming agent and pH adjuster.

In 1999 the National Toxicology Program did a study on this ingredient, and

found evidence that showed carcinogenic properties. We do not use any hazardous

ingredients in our Ion Cosmetics© products.

Diethylene Glycol:

Made by heating ethylene oxide and glycol. Extended use of any of the glycols

on extensive areas of the body is considered hazardous.

DMDM Hydantion:

This is used as a preservative, and is known to release formaldehyde in some

particular ingredient combinations. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, so is

to be avoided.

Ferric Ferrocyanide:

Ferric Ferrocyanide is a deep blue cosmetic colourant. It is regarded as safe

on the surface of the skin, but is considered toxic if leaked into water

supply. We think that if it cant be ingested, then it shouldn’t be placed

on the skin to be absorbed either. It cannot be used around the mouth area, so

we believe it is not worth risking exposure to this ingredient.

Germaben II

A trade name for oidinyl Urea.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

Current research, shows that hydrogen peroxide is not all it is cracked up to

be as a topical antiseptic agent, but rather that it reduces the production of

new skin cells. It is also an oxidizing agent, therefore causing freeradical

damage, and cellular damage.

Manganese Violet

Purple colourant, Toxic when inhaled, but is considered ok for use around the

eyes by the FDA. It is unstable in any alkaline media. We do not use any

potentially toxic ingredients.

Cochineal & Carmine Colourants:

As of January 30th 2006 the FDA has ruled that all Carmine & Cochineal

colourants must be listed on the label, on all foods and cosmetics, that

contain these ingredients, due to many received reports of severe allergy to

the point of anaphylaxis to cochineal extract and Carmine Extract. It is a

known sensitizer, and has the ability to cause very serious reactions in those

who are sensitive.

Cochineal dye, is made from the dried, ground bodies of the female bodies of

the scale insect Dactyl9opius coccus costa. The chief colouring agent in this

is carminic acid. Cochineal extract is acidic, and varies in colour from orange

to deep red, depending on its pH (redder as it gets more acidic). Carmine, is

an aluminium lake which is formed by precipitating carminic acid onto and

aluminium hydroxide substrate, which makes it into a dye. With the popularity

of natural cosmetics, carmines use is becoming in some instances quite popular.

Although it is natural, we do not use any ingredients in our products which are

known to cause any severe reactions. It is also, in our minds an animal based

product, so we do not use it in our Ion Cosmetics© products.

Boron (Boron Nitride)

Boron occurs in the earths crust, in the form of its compounds, never as the

element. Salts of boron are commonly used as antiseptic agents, although toxicologists

warn of its possible adverse reactions. Borates are able to be absorbed by the

mucous membranes and can cause intestinal bleeding, skin rash and central

nervous system stimulation. It is claimed that as a supplement it increases the

production of testosterone. Again, while thinking about the many penetration

enhancers that are in cosmetic products, we do not see it as a safe ingredient

and do not use it in our Ion Cosmetics© products.

Bismuth Oxychloride

Bismuth is known as synthetic pearl, but occurs in the earths crust, and is

used as an antiseptic and a dusting powder. Many bismuth compounds used in

cosmetics have a low toxicity when ingested, but do have a very high potential

to cause allergic reaction when used externally on the skin. In 1992, the FDA

placed a ban on the use of Bismuth in fever blister & and cold sore

treatments as it was not as safe as had been claimed. Again, we do not use any

ingredients which are known sensitizers, so we do not use Bismuth Oxycholride

in our Ion Cosmetics© products.

Ultramarine Blue

It is said that Ultramarine blue colourant is made from powdering Lapis Lazuli

– which it is in some instances, but in most cases is now synthetically

produced, due to the high cost of buying ground Lapis Lazuli. We do not use

this colour in our cosmetics, as it is usually only available as a synthetic

and we do not use synthetic ingredients in our Ion Cosmetics© products.

Superoxide Dismutase:

Used in cosmetic products to reduce free radical damage, but studies that supported

this evidence were tenatative as there were not adequate controls. Cu-Zn-SOD is

available commercially from purified erythrocytes. Other forms of SOD are found

in the mitochondria of chicken livers. We do not use any animal ingredients in

our Ion Cosmetics© products. As Superoxide Dismutase, has little

conclusive research about it, we do not believe that it is necessarily safe

either.

This article was found during research for a new brand in our shop, ION

COSMETICS. We thank the supplier for this information.

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