WATCH OUT FOR:
Ingredient: Benzoates
Purpose: preservatives
Found in: most cosmetics
Why you should avoid it: Linked to asthma and eczema
Ingredient: BHT
Purpose: antioxidant
Found in: body wash, shampoo
Why you should avoid it: Can cause allergies and dermatitis, and maybe lnked to cancer.
Ingredient: Cocamide DEA, Oleamide DEA, Lauramide DEA
Purpose: increase foaming
Found in: shampoo, conditioner, body wash
Why you should avoid it: Potential carcinogen
Ingredient: DEA
Purpose: reduce acidity
Found in: DEA is not common alone but DEA-related ingredients are widely used
Why you should avoid it: Currently under investigation as a cancer suspect.
Ingredient: FD&C Green No. 3, D&C Yellow No. 10
Purpose: coloring
Found in: shampoo, conditioner, makeup, body wash
Why you should avoid it: Contains coal tar, a suspected carcinogen.
Ingredient: Nonylphenol
Purpose: surfactant
Found in: cosmetics, toiletries
Why you should avoid it: Can cause dermatitis. It is a known endocrine disrupter chemical (EDC). Studies have shown that it will mimic estrogen which can cause feminization of males which may result in low sperm counts and malformed genitalia. It can also accumulate in the body tissues.
Ingredient: Isopropyl Myristate
Purpose: emollient
Found in: lotions and moisturizers
Why you should avoid it: Can be comedogenic, promoting acne and blackheads. Some claim it may be carcinogenic.
Ingredient: Lauramide DEA
Purpose: creates foam and lather
Found in: shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash
Why you should avoid it: This ingredient may cause cancer.
Ingredient: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Purpose: detergent
Found in: shampoo, conditioner, body wash
Why you should avoid it: Extremely irritating to the skin and mucous membranes and known for causing vaginal yeast infections. Could contain potential carcinogens. May mimic estrogen, and roughen skin.
July/August 2003
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