In 2017, a study by researchers at France’s National Institute of Agricultural Research found that absorption of nanoscale titanium dioxide can cause immune system disorders, intestinal inflammation, and cancer formation. Though the study was on rats, it showed that it only takes small amounts of TiO2 nanoparticles to induce colon cancer and other health problems. This has led to concerns that the effect on humans may be similar. Titanium dioxide is a white powder that’s widely used as a whitening agent, UV filter, and thickener in many consumer products. Because it’s naturally bright and reflective, it’s added to paints, plastics, toothpastes, cosmetics and paper to give them a cleaner colour. The real danger for your health seems to be when you inhale this powder. When I read this, I immediately thought of my face powder that I so lavishly put on my face every morning. Grabbed my face powder to see if it contained any titanium dioxide. I was horrified to see that it not only contained titanium dioxide but also parabens and formaldehyde. (See pic below)
I am writing to you today, to make you aware of the dangers of our make- up and skincare products we trust so much.
We are always buying products that end up on our skin. This can be lotions, make-up, shampoos, conditioners, soap, cleaning products for our home etc. Every day of our life, we are using these products and we don’t realize that they are been absorbed by our skin and enters the bloodstream. The skin is our biggest organ, why should we not be concerned what it absorbs.
We will not be healthier if we eat organic, work out at the gym, avoid GMO etc. if we continue putting on our skin what is after all more toxic than what we put into our bodies. We need to read the labels on our skincare products. Even if it has “Organic” or “Natural” written on it, it does not mean it is safe. If the product does not have the ingredients listed at all, then I suggest you stay away from it. We need to be aware of what’s on the labels and what is in our products.
The following 12 Toxic ingredients should be avoided.
Phthalates– DDP, DEP, DMP, DEHP and BZBP.
Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, which means they mimic the body’s hormones, therefore throwing the entire endocrine system off balance.
Parabens – methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and isobutyl.
They can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, and irritation. Parabens have been shown to mimic estrogen, which disrupts normal hormone function. Exposure to external estrogens have been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer and increase cell abnormalities.
Formaldehyde – Look for DMDM, Hydantoin.
Long-term, formaldehyde has a long list of adverse health effects, including immune system toxicity, respiratory irritation, and cancer in humans. Formaldehyde is a recognized human carcinogen.
BHA and BHT – In animal studies, BHA produces liver damage and causes stomach cancers, such as papilloma and carcinomas, and interferes with normal reproductive system development and thyroid hormone levels, another huge red flag. The European Union considers it unsafe in fragrance.
P8Ahs – found to be carcinogenic in laboratory tests conducted by the US National Cancer Institute and National Toxicology Program.
DEA compounds – Exposure to high doses of these chemicals has caused liver cancers and pre-cancerous changes in skin and thyroid. DEA is also a possible hormone disruptor.
Fragrance “Parfum” – In laboratory experiments, individual fragrance ingredients have been associated with cancer and neurotoxicity.
PEG compounds (Polyethylene Glycols) – Those tiny plastic beads in face or lip scrubs and exfoliating washes are made from polyethylene. These synthetic chemicals are frequently contaminated with 1:4 dioxane, which the US government considers a probable human carcinogen which readily penetrates the skin.
Petrolatum, also known as petroleum jelly – petroleum byproduct has been found in breast tumors, strongly suggesting it is a breast cancer-promoting substance. It also suffocates the skin, blocking oxygen absorption and aggravating acne.
Triclosan – It’s classified as a pesticide. It can pass through skin and can affect the body’s hormone systems, especially thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism and may disrupt normal breast development. Why use this dreadful ingredient when we can use natural antibacterial and antiseptic agents like tea tree oil which you can spray on your hands versus using this really, really gross ingredient that is harming your body.
Siloxanes – are a group of chemicals that are, as the name suggests, derive from silicone. They are known as endocrine disruptors that interfere with human hormone function and can even possibly impair fertility. Research has shown that they not only cause uterine tumors but can also skew the functioning of neurotransmitters in the nervous system.
Triethanolamine – should never be used long term, as it has been proven to have detrimental effects on human skin, on the immune system and has been classified as a respiratory toxicant. Clinical tests show that high doses of triethanolamine have caused liver, bladder, and testicular cancer in laboratory animals.
I hope I have inspired you to read the labels before you purchase cosmetics and to open up your make up bag and to slowly get rid of anything in there that contains toxic ingredients. Do it for your health, do it for the planet.