Is your makeup killing you?
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(Note: Canary Cosmetics products do not contain any of the harmful chemicals mentioned in this story.)
U.S. lax on banning ingredients that could be harmful to humans
By Maggie Downs • The Desert Sun • July 26, 2008
What’s in your makeup bag might not be so pretty.
Many of us scan the labels on our food to determine what’s healthy and what’s not.
Yet every day, we use multiple health and beauty products — from toothpaste to deodorant to hair spray — that are inhaled, absorbed through the skin or ingested. If you read the labels at all, they’re difficult to understand, filled with tiny type and hard-to-pronounce words.
But don’t be so quick to dismiss those ingredients.
Personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, lotion and makeup are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration — or any other government agency.
“Manufacturers may use any ingredient or raw material, except for color additives and a few prohibited substances, to market a product without a government review or approval,” says a statement on the FDA’s Web site.
The European Union has banned more than 1,100 chemicals from cosmetic products. In contrast, the United States has banned 10, according to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
For instance, it is currently legal in the United States for lipstick and other beauty products to contain unlimited amounts of lead. A ban to remove lead in lipsticks was defeated last month in California.
However, there is hope on the horizon.
Many consumers now recognize what you put on your body is just as important as what goes in it — and that is leading companies to follow suit.
The health and beauty aisles at major chains are slowly being taken over by healthier products.
For example, drugstore giant CVS announced in May the company will remove chemicals linked to adverse health outcomes from its house-branded products. They will replace them with safer alternatives.
If you’re wary of using beauty products with industrial ingredients, here are some items to avoid:
Lead and mercury: Lead is found in hair dyes and makeup. It is a toxin for the brain and nervous system and can cause infertility or miscarriage.
Mercury is found as a preservative in eye cosmetics. It is a toxin for the nervous system.
Parabens: Found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, personal lubricants, topical pharmaceuticals and toothpaste, parabens have been found in tissue samples from human breast tumors, according to one study.
Parabens come in many types, including methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, isobutyl- and others and can mimic estrogen.
Phthalates: Found in fragrances, hair products, deodorants, lotions and much more, this chemical plastic has caused birth defects in lab animals.
Phthalates are often listed under the term “fragrance” on labels, so select fragrance-free products.
Petrochemicals: Found in anti-aging creams, lipsticks, baby creams, eye shadows, mascara, perfume, lip balm and more. Listed as petrolatum, paraffin and mineral oil, these products can cause allergic reactions and contain suspected carcinogens.
Placenta: Found in hair relaxers, moisturizers and toners. Placenta produces hormones that can disrupt the body’s normal hormone production and lead to serious problems.
Nanoparticles: Found in sunscreens, eye shadows, bronzers and lotions. These are extremely small particles that can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream and have not been tested for safety.
Diethanolamine (DEA): Used in shampoos, DEA is a suspected carcinogen. Also look for triethanolamine (TEA), which can be contaminated with nitrosamines, compounds shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Contamination is more likely if the product also contains Bronopol.
Formaldehyde: Found in eye makeup, mascara and other cosmetics, formaldehyde is classified as a probable human carcinogen.
In its liquid state, look for it listed as DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea and quaternium-15, which can be absorbed through the skin and nails.
Bronopol, often listed as 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, can contribute to the formation of cancer.
Glycol Ethers: Found in nail polish, deodorant, fragrances and other cosmetics, some glycol ethers are hazardous to the reproductive system and can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat.
Avoid EGPE, EGME, EGEE, DEGBE, PGME, DPGME and those with “methyl” in their names.
Phenylenediamine (PPD): Found in hair dye, this is also called oxidation dyes, amino dyes, para dyes or peroxide dyes. PPD has been banned in Europe as a carcinogen.
Toluene: Found in nail polish. Can cause liver damage and irritate the respiratory tract.
Maggie Downs is a features reporter for The Desert Sun. She can be reached at 778-6435 or maggie.downs@thedesertsun.com.