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Harmful Cosmetic Additives
There are a wide range of 'natural' and 'green' toiletries and cosmetics
now available, but as always, check what you are buying, there are many harmful cosmetics. In the UK the
word 'natural' can be applied to any product as long as at least 1%
of the ingredients are obtained from nature. Indeed, some cosmetic manufacturers
are jumping on the organic bandwagon and using that term to describe
cosmetics that may only contain a very small proportion of organic ingredients.
Toothpaste is currently the only product to be certified as organic
by the Soil Association.
However, you can at least check out the labels on the products you
buy, and avoid the worst of the chemical offenders, listed below:
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Formaldehyde |
Preservative. Found in nail polish, nail hardeners
and other cosmetics. Commonly associated with adverse skin reactions. |
Imidazolidinyl Urea |
Preservative. Commonly associated with adverse skin
reactions. |
Fragrance |
Synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can consist
of many ingredients, and these ingredients do not have to be listed
separately from the other ingredients. Look for products that list
"natural fragrance" or whose perfume comes from essential
oils. |
Methyl Paraben |
Preservative. Widely used. Associated with skin
irritation. Some possibility that it may be a xenoestrogen. (also
butyl, ethyl and propyl paraben). |
Isopropyl alcohol |
Anti-bacterial agent obtained from petroleum (sometimes
used in anti-freeze). |
Methylisothiazolinone |
Preservative. Associated with allergic reactions
and irritation. |
Paraffin |
Used in cold creams, hair removers, eyebrow pencils
and other cosmetics. Derived from petroleum or coal. |
Propylene glycol |
Moisture carrying agent used in cosmetics. Usually
derived from petroleum, although it is possible to derive it from
vegetable glycerine. |
Sodium lauryl sulphate |
Detergent that can have a drying effect on the skin
that can cause irritation. |
Gentler alternatives to these artificial preservatives are available.
Look at the labels and keep an eye open for some of the natural preservatives
listed below:
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Organic cosmetics