The increase in natural cosmetics has been a global phenomenon, as consumers in all markets have picked up on the trend for health and well being. Natural cosmetics and personal care products have become an integral part of this trend because they are made from plant extracts, natural ingredients and contain minimal levels of synthetic compounds.

We consider natural ingredients in body care and cosmetic products to be those which:

• Are plant-based
• Are cold-processed
• Are not chemically refined or bleached
• Are fragranced only with essential oils or Co2 extracts

The products themselves are produced with the lowest possible heat if any to preserve the botanical properties of each component

Over 90% of all ingredients in commercially available cosmetics are of synthetic origin and directly linked to serious health risks like cancer, infertility, kidney and liver disease and severe skin issues. Environmental Working Group report called, “Skin Deep” found that almost 90 percent of the more than 10,000 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated by government regulators. At the same time of the 20,000 different off-the-shelf cosmetic products that are for sales in the US, over 80% of the products surveyed contained one or more ingredients that have caused documented adverse reactions in humans and animals in the past.

Most of the large cosmetic and personal-care companies will tell you not to worry. They agree that there are many chemicals in their products, but say that the quantities are small and will not affect you. At first glance this seems reasonable. Unfortunately, this is a sugar coated public relations response and does not identify the true issue at hand. Medical science has proven that humans exposed over time to very small quantities of harmful chemicals do indeed suffer the consequences.
Medical science has proven that even the thin patches we stick to our arms or stomach with very small amounts of pharmaceutical chemicals can very effectively deliver chemicals into the bloodstream, totally changing the body's chemistry. Trans-dermal patches containing small traces of nicotine can effectively deliver chemicals directly into the bloodstream to alter tobacco cravings. The new contraceptive alternative to the “Pill” is a patch which contains very low levels of hormones and still has the ability to stop a woman from getting pregnant.

It is concerning then, in light of all the information we know about the chemicals in the products that we slather on our skin every day, that we are not more informed and outraged about the implications of constantly introducing these chemicals into our bodies.
 
Little is known about the long-term effects of the petroleum chemicals and synthetic products that we rub into our skin on a daily basis in the form of cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, etc. At this point scientists and researchers know that these chemicals pose a threat to human health and fertility and have been found in our bodies and breast milk. Chemicals found in cosmetics and personal-care products are linked to birth defects, hormone disruption and reduced fertility not to mention more pervasive cosmetic damage such as rashes, mild to severe acne and eczema. Many people use cosmetics and lotions to cure skin issues. Ironically, the products they are using and hoping for a cure are the very same products that are causing the problem!

The following products are only a sample of some of the most common products in many cosmetics, hair and skin care products. All are extremely hazardous to your skin. We have only begun to understand the long-term effects of these ingredients.

MINERAL OIL: A petroleum derivative that seals in moisture and breaks down skin oils and makeup. Often found in lipstick, lotions and makeup removers. Some forms of mineral oil have been linked to cancer, skin and eye irritation. Mineral oil also clogs pores because it does not allow the skin to breathe or release toxins. By inhibiting the skin from breathing and releasing toxins, mineral oil slows down the skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age.

PETROLATUM (mineral oil jelly): A petroleum derivative common in lip balms. Petrolatum clogs skin from taking in oxygen and releasing toxins. Highly acne producing, it can cause both sun sensitivity and chapping. Incredibly cheap for manufactures.

METHYL, PROPYL, BUYTL and ETHYL PARABENS: Used as preservatives to inhibit microbial growth to extend products' shelf life. May cause allergic reactions and rashes. Contain highly toxic formaldehyde-releasing ingredients which are carcinogenic, increasing the risk of cancer in both men and women.

SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES: Used in most cosmetics and cleaning products. Synthetic fragrances can contain hundreds of chemicals. Unfortunately, due to the lack of regulation almost all labels usually only identify chemicals as “fragrance”. Many cosmetics don't even bother to say “fragrance” at all. Synthetic fragrances cause headaches, dizziness, rashes, coughing, vomiting, skin irritations, etc. Hydrocarbons such as formaldehyde, styrene, toluene and phenol can cause depression, exhaustion, anxiety, dizziness, diminished blood flow and brain damage.

PROPYLENE GLYCOL: Derived from petroleum and used as a humectant to keep products moist. Propylene glycol is also used as a key active ingredient in antifreeze. Propylene glycol breaks down protein and cellular structure. It is so dangerous that the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with it. Frequently used in antiperspirants, suntan lotions, lipsticks and hair care products. The National Toxicology Program classifies Propylene Glycol as a skin and eye irritant, possible carcinogen and known to cause liver and kidney damage. These chemicals were removed from cat food because cats were dying of liver failure.

RETINYL PALMITATE: A topical form of Vitamin A derivative. It is listed on the Health Canada Product Safety Bureau's Hit List as TOXIC.

SODUIM LAURYL (LAURETH) SULFATE (SLS or SLES): Holds oil and water together and acts as a detergent causing your products to foam. One of SLS's original uses was as an industrial garage floor cleaner. Now used in cosmetics and personal-care products as a wetting agent which makes suds extremely well. Incredibly inexpensive and added to everything from shampoos, toothpastes, bubble baths and lotions. Extremely irritating, SLS causes skin irritations, itchiness, cracking (from dishwashing soap), dandruff and infections in children (from bubble bath). SLS has also caused corneal damage to animals. It creates nitrates in the body when mixed with other common chemicals in cosmetics, ultimately producing known or suspected carcinogens. SLS penetrates incredibly easily especially in shampoos, entering the body through the large hair follicles on the head. The national Toxicology Program classifies it as a skin and eye irritant.

PEG (Polyethylene Glycol): PEG's are used to dissolve oil and grease, and to thicken products. They strip the skin of its natural moisture factor, leaving the skin and hence the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially cancer causing. They are used in spray-on oven cleaners and, not surprisingly, in many hair care and skin care products.

TALC (Magnesium Silicate): a natural mineral found and lung irritant, Talc is a slippery, finely powdered mineral that absorbs moisture. It is widely used in makeup and body powders. Talc has been linked to ovarian and lung cancer. It is NOT biodegradable. Talc has caused babies to severely cough, induced vomiting and pneumonia.

DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine): these are hormone-disrupting chemicals and form cancer-causing agents. They are commonly found in bubble baths (in which we relax and soak for long periods), shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. They are easily absorbed by the skin, and research indicates a strong link to liver and kidney cancer. There is also evidence that carcinogens form when Cocamide DEA (a cleanser, thickener and foam booster) is applied to the skin.

FORMALDEHYDE: Widely used in cosmetics as a germicide, preservative and fungicide. Formaldehyde is very often in cosmetics and not listed as an ingredient. It is also found in soaps, nail hardeners, lipsticks, body lotions and shampoos. Formaldehyde is suspected as a powerful carcinogenic and mutagenic, damaging and inhibiting the repair of DNA. Despite all evidence of negative implications of use, Formaldehyde is still widely in  use in the US. Banned in Sweden and Japan.

QUATERNIUM-15: used as a preservative in cosmetics and toiletry items, as well as skin moisturizers and hair care products. It commonly causes allergic reactions and dermatitis, and breaks down into formaldehyde (see above).

IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DIAZOLIDINYL UREA: both are very common in cosmetic preservatives after the parabens. IU and DU are often found in baby shampoos, lotions and creams. IU and DU are also known to cause dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Also may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, loss of sleep, or even function as asthma triggers. Serious side effects include the weakening of the immune system, and, as usual, cancer.

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: petroleum derived, and is used in antifreeze and shellac. Side effects are headache, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, and coma. It is commonly found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotion and aftershave lotions. It penetrates the skin easily and is thought to destroy intestinal flora, leaving your body's major organs open to parasites, and thus to cancers. Considered by the petroleum industry as an “industrial byproduct” (read: industrial waste).

ARTIFICIAL COLORS: Generally referred to on labels as “FD and C” followed by the color. These colors are coal-tar derivatives and NOT plant-based. FD and C Red No. 6 and Green No. 6 are suspected of causing cancer.

The typical adult uses nine cosmetics/ personal-care products a day with an average daily load of around 126 chemicals. Most of these chemicals (including the one's mentioned above) are absorbed into your body through your skin. Others, found in lipstick and lip balm, you actually eat as they come off your lips when eating, drinking or wetting your lips.