Skin Care Ingredients

Thanks for your question. Yes, I do! When readers sign up for my newsletter (http://cincovidas.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3065387b0903e8b6d30913aaf&id=48532d28b6)I give them four wallet-size cards they can download; each card has a list of ingredients to avoid in food, personal care products, home and environment. When looking for safe personal care products, always take the ingredient to avoid card with you and avoid the ingredients listed on it. However, the top 6 offenders I would not let into my home are:

1) Phthaltes: chemicals from oils used to make plastics. Used in hairsprays, fragrances and nail polish. Have been labeled probable carcinogen by the EPA. Many air fresheners contain phthalates as well, including those labeled as “all-natural.” According to the Global Campaign for the Recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), indoor air quality experts recommend against using chemical air fresheners and/or chemical room deodorizers of any kind. Find and remove sources of bad smells, use baking soda to neutralize odors, keep windows open when possible, and try adding drops of organic essential oils to cotton balls and place around the house, or use a diffuser.
What to look for on the label: You can’t look for the word “phthalate” on the ingredient list. Instead, look for names like DBP and DEP


2) Parabens: preservatives found in over 13,000 personal care products. A 2006 study took urine samples from 100 adults and found two of these parabens (methyl- and n-propyl) in over 90 percent of them, with other parabens showing up in over half the samples. Studies have also shown them to be estrogenic and capable of being absorbed by the body through the skin.
What to look for on the label: methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben.

3) SLS or “sulfates": they make shampoos, toothpastes and soap foam up. Products with SLS can be contaminated with 1,4 dioxin, a known animal carcinogen. When combined with other personal-care ingredients, can form “nitrates,” which are linked to cancer.
What to look for on the label: Look for: sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate.


4) Synthetic Fragrance – Its a “trade secret” so they don't have to reveal what it contains. They can have over 200 chemicals (76% of fragrances contain allergens and 16% contain carcinogens) I am referring to both "fragrance" in personal care products as well as perfumes and colognes. Use essential oil based perfumes instead.
What to look for on the label: fragrance or “Parfum”.

5) Chemical sunscreens – There are 2 types of sunscreens:chemical and physical (or mineral). Europe has banned all chemicals sunscreens except 1. They contain hormone altering chemicals. Safest choice: non-micronized physical like zinc oxide with a minimum of SPF 30.
What to look for on the label: oxybenzone, PABA, octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), salicylates, avobenzone, & menthyl anthranilates.

6) Paraffin-Based Candles: These can give off potentially toxic chemicals like astoluene and benzene, labeled as probable carcinogens by the EPA. Some candles have metal-core wicks, which can release lead and other harmful toxins, and some imported and older candles can contain lead-core wicks. Oils used in scented candles, as well, are often petroleum-based synthetics. To protect yourself, avoid paraffin-based candles. Purchase those made of natural waxes like vegetable, soybean, or beeswax. Avoid candles in jars, as they don’t get enough oxygen and can cause toxic black soot. Finally, avoid synthetic-scented varieties and use candles scented with essential oils only.

Hope this helps!
Thanks
Thanks for your question. Yes, I do! When readers sign up for my newsletter (http://cincovidas.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3065387b0903e8b6d30913aaf&id=48532d28b6)I give them four wallet-size cards they can download; each card has a list of ingredients to avoid in food, personal care products, home and environment. When looking for safe personal care products, always take the ingredient to avoid card with you and avoid the ingredients listed on it. However, the top 6 offenders I would not let into my home are:

1) Phthaltes: chemicals from oils used to make plastics. Used in hairsprays, fragrances and nail polish. Have been labeled probable carcinogen by the EPA. Many air fresheners contain phthalates as well, including those labeled as “all-natural.” According to the Global Campaign for the Recognition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), indoor air quality experts recommend against using chemical air fresheners and/or chemical room deodorizers of any kind. Find and remove sources of bad smells, use baking soda to neutralize odors, keep windows open when possible, and try adding drops of organic essential oils to cotton balls and place around the house, or use a diffuser.
What to look for on the label: You can’t look for the word “phthalate” on the ingredient list. Instead, look for names like DBP and DEP


2) Parabens: preservatives found in over 13,000 personal care products. A 2006 study took urine samples from 100 adults and found two of these parabens (methyl- and n-propyl) in over 90 percent of them, with other parabens showing up in over half the samples. Studies have also shown them to be estrogenic and capable of being absorbed by the body through the skin.
What to look for on the label: methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, and propylparaben.

3) SLS or “sulfates": they make shampoos, toothpastes and soap foam up. Products with SLS can be contaminated with 1,4 dioxin, a known animal carcinogen. When combined with other personal-care ingredients, can form “nitrates,” which are linked to cancer.
What to look for on the label: Look for: sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate.


4) Synthetic Fragrance – Its a “trade secret” so they don't have to reveal what it contains. They can have over 200 chemicals (76% of fragrances contain allergens and 16% contain carcinogens) I am referring to both "fragrance" in personal care products as well as perfumes and colognes. Use essential oil based perfumes instead.
What to look for on the label: fragrance or “Parfum”.

5) Chemical sunscreens – There are 2 types of sunscreens:chemical and physical (or mineral). Europe has banned all chemicals sunscreens except 1. They contain hormone altering chemicals. Safest choice: non-micronized physical like zinc oxide with a minimum of SPF 30.
What to look for on the label: oxybenzone, PABA, octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), salicylates, avobenzone, & menthyl anthranilates.

6) Paraffin-Based Candles: These can give off potentially toxic chemicals like astoluene and benzene, labeled as probable carcinogens by the EPA. Some candles have metal-core wicks, which can release lead and other harmful toxins, and some imported and older candles can contain lead-core wicks. Oils used in scented candles, as well, are often petroleum-based synthetics. To protect yourself, avoid paraffin-based candles. Purchase those made of natural waxes like vegetable, soybean, or beeswax. Avoid candles in jars, as they don’t get enough oxygen and can cause toxic black soot. Finally, avoid synthetic-scented varieties and use candles scented with essential oils only.

Hope this helps!
Thanks