Health, Taken Seriously

Are you still using traditional body care products and makeup? Face lotion, body lotion, mascara, eye liner, and lipstick usually contain some very unhealthy chemicals that we’re all better off avoiding. I’ve posted many websites that list these dangerous chemicals, from the Green Guide to the EWG’s Skin Deep website. For those of you that haven’t had a chance to check those out, I’m going to post two of the biggest offenders and what problems they pose. Next time you need to buy some lotion or makeup, try to purchase ones without these ingredients.

Parabens:
Parabens are usually seen listed under ingredients as either methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, or butylparaben. These ingredients are used as preservatives, but they also are xenoestrogens, meaning the mimic estrogen in the body and can affect any system that the hormone affects. They have been linked to cancer in lab animals and even humans (a 2004 Journal of Applied Toxicology study found traces of parabens in the tumors of women with breast cancer), they may damage the developing testes of young boys, and they may be partly to blame for growing infertility rates.¹

Phthalates:
Any time you see fragrance listed as an ingredient, chances are that product contains phthalates. Phthalates do not need to be listed as an ingredient even though they are in all synthetic fragrances. The only fragrances that are safe are those from essential oils, or ones that specifically state they are phthalate-free. Phthalates are chemicals that are used to soften plastics (as you may know from my previous posts) but they are also used to bind chemicals. They have been linked to allergies, asthma, and cancer. They give off vapors called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are known to produce irritation of the nose, throat and eyes, as well as headaches and nausea. The EU has banned two types of phthalates, which are suspected to cause birth defects, but the U.S. still allows them into cosmetics and body products.¹ The best way to avoid them? Do not use perfume or cologne and avoid products that contain synthetic fragrances. This includes lotions, soaps, and candles.

1. Fassa, Lynda. Green Babies, Sage Moms. New American Library: New York, 2008.