Six makeup chemicals to avoid

Image: istockphoto.com/ANNAMARIA SZILAGYI

(Jun 30, 2008) Many consumers are under the impression that labels on cosmetics offer some kind of protection. Unfortunately this is not the case, especially in the USA where personal care ingredients don’t need FDA approval, any health studies or pre-market testing. Canada is not much better; it just approved cosmetic labelling in November 16, 2006 but with a year deadline for compliance.

Approach your personal care products and cosmetics with caution. Read the label and decide whether that lovely shade of lipstick, blush or eye-shadow is worth the risk. Is having full volume hair or thick eyelashes worth compromising your health? The following list is just a few of the chemicals found in basic personal care products. You can learn more and even do a search of your particular product with Skin Deep Safe Cosmetics Database, a campaign being run by the Environmental Working Group.

Phthatale family or di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ehtylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)

Can result in: endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCS) and carcinogen linked to birth defects; premature breast developments; lowered sperm counts; testicular injury; damage to reproductive organs; lung, liver and kidney cancer

Why used: makes plastic soft and malleable.

Found in: nail polish, hair-straighteners and sprays, body lotions, and deodorants.

Banned in: Europe

Lauryl sulfate(SLS), Sodium laureth sulfate(SLES)

Can result in: suspected carcinogen linked kidney and liver damage; nervous system disruption; damage to eyes leading to cataracts; eczema and dermatitis, known to inflame skin layers.

Why used: foaming agent and emulsifier.

Found in: toothpaste, shampoo, bath salts, body and shower gels.

Banned in: Europe and Central America

Paraben preservatives or alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl)

Can result in: hormone disrupter, estrogenic (mimics natural estrogens that leads to cancer); linked to breast cancer; skin rashes.

Why used: germicide and preservative.

Found in: conditioners, hair styling gels, nail creams, foundations, concealers, mascara, facial masks, skin creams, and deodorants, sunscreen, hair-colouring.

Banned in: Japan and Sweden. Under review in the UK.

Formaldehyde family or Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin , Quaternium-15, Nitropropane-1, Formalin , Methanal , Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide, Morbicid acid, Oxymethylene

Can result in: carcinogen, causes allergic reactions and contact dermatitis; headaches; irritates mucous membranes; damaging to eyes; linked to joint and chest pain; depression; headaches; fatigue; dizziness and immune dysfunction.

Why used: disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, defoamer and preservative, cheap and mixes easily with water.

Found in: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, liquid antiseptic hand wash, skin lotions, bubble bath, hair care products, antiperspirants, nail polishes, talcs; mascara, mouthwash, make-up remover.

Banned in: Europe

Amine family Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), amonoethanolamine (MEA)

Can result in: hormone disrupter; carcinogen linked to liver and kidney cancer; irritant to hair and skin; corrosive to eyes; causes contact dermatitis; react with other chemicals to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.

Why used: emulsifier, pH adjuster, and preservative, foaming agent added to coconut oils.

Found in: shampoos, soaps, hairsprays, sunscreens, foundations, concealers, eyeliner, talc, face powders, shaving creams, hair colouring products (women and men), hair sprays.

Banned in: Currently under review in the USA, UK and Europe

Propylene / Butylene Glycol (PG)

Side Effect: linked to possible brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities respiratory and throat irritation, central nervous system depression, pulmonary oedema, brain damage, hypoglycaemia, skin rashes and dermatitis, neuro-toxin that weakens protein and cellular structure.

Why: cheap substitute for glycerine, Humectant (retains moisture).

Found in: deodorants, body lotions, body washes, hair conditioner, hair gel, creams, hand-wipes, lipsticks.

Banned in: Europe

Companies offering alternatives
Editor's note: This list was updated June 2008 and several of the companies previously listed have been removed. Thanks to our readers for their tips and information.

Aubrey: hair, skin and body care products

Burt’s Bees: chapsticks, skin care, makeup, hair care

BWC (Beauty without Cruelty): makeup and skin care

Dr. Hauschka: skin care products

Druide bath products and hair care

Ecco Bella: makeup, skin care and bath products

Erbaviva

Giovanni: bath, hair and skin products

Juara Skincare

Lavera: makeup and skin care products

Little Forest Baby

MOP (Modern Organic Products): hair care products

Mychelle Dermaceuticals Naddara Suki Naturals

Weleda: cosmetics

Upurea has one of the largest selections of enviro-friendly skincare products sold online.

Shelagh McNally is the editor of Green Living Online. She's worried about her life-long addiction to Maybelline.

Tags: chemicals, cosmetics. Browse our full tag cloud.

18 Comments

posted Sep 1, 2007 - 10:21 pm by Martessa

You mention "Aveda" as being good products to use.
If you are referrring to the Aveda products from the Aveda Spas, they are not 100% natural and do contain undesirable substances such as laurel and laureth sulphate.

Also most of the products sold in a health food store contain undesirable substances and should actually not be sold in a store promoting "health".

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 4:58 am by jen

The 12 companies offering alternatives is very rare to find here in Asia mostly are brandeds like Nivea ,Avon,Maybelline...which are expensive lines of products but not all safe to use.What I notice is that those brand names mix products which have dangerous chemicals.The customer then think its all safe to use bec. they are branded.Yes,ingredients are written but most consumers doesnt know what it was,ithey were confused by propagandas of these brand names ,like using a very beautiful actress to do a commercial for a cosmetics and make ups.

posted Nov 6, 2007 - 6:29 pm by Kate Pietrowski

Weleda products, including their line of baby care contain benzyl benzoate, which I believe was banned by the EU. The Weledea baby balm was NOT given the highest rating by the environemental working group.

posted Nov 12, 2007 - 5:49 pm by Miranda at Hair By Miranda

all Aveda shampoos have sodium laurel/laureth sulphates....they are not as natural as they claim to be and I would never use them for this reason.

posted Dec 22, 2007 - 2:37 am by Dana

Also Yves Rocher, contains dangerous chemicals. trust, me I used to be a regular cust. until I turned the bottles around and read.

posted Jan 5, 2008 - 4:14 am by Rachel

I appreciate your attempt to list alternative brands, but a lot of them are hard to find (which is unfortunate), and AVEDA does not belong on that list.

It seems like the less hazardous brands are only available online or in drugstores like Pharmaca, Elephant Pharmacy, or natural grocery stores.

posted Feb 1, 2008 - 5:39 pm by SeaGirl

Aveda contains Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, which is different than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. I believe it is SLS specifically which most people are worried about, not everything that has a "lauryl" in it is bad.

posted Feb 20, 2008 - 7:52 pm by Sue

Aveda skin care line also contains all the parabens! These preservatives are dangerous to our bodies as well so why are they on the list? Try Rocky Mountain Soap products made here in the Rockies - they really are all natural and great. Especially the Foot Butter and Baby products! Now have a natural skin care line just coming out.

posted Feb 21, 2008 - 11:04 am by denise massey

i sing regularly at church and lipsticks cause my throat to be irritated. i am looking for a lipcolor that will not irritate my throat or hamper my voice.

posted Feb 26, 2008 - 11:38 am by jODY sTEWART

I AM GETTING PAST BREAST CANCER SO FOR THE FIRST TIME I'M READING ABOUT DANGEROUS CHEMICALS IN LOTIONS ETC. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL. IS VERY BAD ACORDING TO Dr. Clark who wrote How to Cure all Cancers. Everyone needs to read this.

posted Mar 10, 2008 - 1:43 pm by Nancy

Concerning LIPSTICKS. Try the Cover Girl 8-hour semi-perm lip colors. The ingredients aren't "pure", but it will stay on your lips and when you lick, you aren't licking off lipstick - which is what is probably bothering your voice. Alternatively, you 'could' take a colored mineral makeup and stain your lips with it. Ingredients are usually just mica, titanium dioxide, and other inert ingredients.

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 3:18 pm by jennifer

can you give me different types chemicals like,mercury and alcohol in make-up/

posted Apr 17, 2008 - 3:13 pm by Terry

My best friend died of cancer at age 26. It motivated me to do research on toxic ingredients in skin/hair/nail products. BEWARE! Marketing is quite devious. Write down ingredients that you use DAILY, then go online and research them on http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com and OTHER SITES. There are at least 15 DANGEROUS chemicals. The FDA does NOT protect you at all. Don't believe anyone referencing studies by the CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review board) they are cosmetic industry reps.Even BABY shampoo, lotion or toys are NOT safe. Some of the names listed above are still including TOXIC CHEMICALS, linked to cancer. Don't be fooled by people who call themselves scientists or SELL cosmetics with PARABENS FOR EXAMPLE. If all of the ingredients are synthetic, why do they needs so many perservatives? PARABENS ARE UNSAFE!
REFUSE TO USE toxic products and EMAIL the company AND your friends and family ALL OUR VOICES can stop these MULTI BILLION DOLLAR PROFIT MAKING MACHINES. PLEASE, there are hundreds of articles on the web to inform you. BEWARE of the WOLVES in SHEEEP'S CLOTHING! Like ProActiv, Avon, Dove,Pantene,and other companies that use GREEN or natural in their names. BUSINESS counts on our ignorance...let's count on each other and out smart them! WE are OUR only hope! Even our PETS are getting cancer.
Be viligent, be aware and do your research and make up your mind as to how much risk you are willing to take. Good luck.
For above: LEAD is in lipstick and CANDY, FD&C blue1 or green 3, D&C yellow4 & 5 are toxic, mercury is in mascara and FISH we eat, use a deodorant stone and NAIL POLISH has formaldehyde and toluene in it. NO OPI. If a co doesn't list ingredients, don't use them! FRAGRANCE can contain any TOXIC substance and is allowed by FDA...use FRAGRANCE FREE products. What is BANNED elsewhere is OK'd by the FDA! I'm not a fanatic, I am just ANGRY at what business is allowed to do to our products and FOOD. My friend can't be saved, but maybe ONE of you will make some changes from reading this.

posted Apr 22, 2008 - 10:40 am by Stacia

I have been using Aveda skin care for years, upon doing some research I found the products were not as natural as they claimed to be. Thus I tried switching to a more natural product (Suki). This is the third time I have tried to stop using Aveda, but everytime I do I break out into a terrible rash on my face. My doctor has not been of help, suggesting I use a cortisone cream on my face! Has anyone had this experience or know how to get off Aveda?

posted May 18, 2008 - 7:23 am by Joy

Hi there,
There is an Australian Company based in Queensland who sell organic makeup. Their lipsticks are great and all natural the website is....http://www.pureearth.com.au/page/about_us.html
hope this helps some of you. You can also make your own fromhttp://www.fao.org/docrep/w0076e/w0076e24.htm

posted Jul 15, 2008 - 7:30 am by pip

Stacia, I would be interested in how long you have tried to stop using Aveda for. Perhaps your body is trying to get rid of all the toxins, you have put in it by producing a rash. I would try not using any product for a couple of weeks or two. (it might be hard, but lets face it we really don't need to clean as often as we do). Then do a patch test with a new product. Only use one new product at a time so you don't overload your system. You may be unlucky and be allergic to natural fragrance, so try products that don't have lots of ingredients so you can try and identify exactly what your skin does not like. Good luck.

posted Jul 20, 2008 - 12:30 am by tina

lead in lipstick is a real problem!! 61% of the top 33 brands of lipstick have Lead in them!

i got all natural mineral makeup and lipstick from www.elixirofeden.com
from australia

great stuff!

posted Aug 3, 2008 - 9:58 pm by Val Wasil

I have been using toxin free products for the last 2 years.They have baby products,pet care, house cleaning products, make-up, shampoos etc., All the products that I have used I have noticed a difference, even my friends comment on my hair and skin. One of my friends thinks that I have Botox injections.

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