Ingredients commonly found in beauty products

I stumbled upon Liz's blog while searching for some beauty products and here are the detrimental ingredients commonly found in beauty products.

ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS (AHA)
An exfoliant, commonly recommended by dermatologists and beauty salons, a high percentage of it not only removes dead skin cells but also your skin's protective layer. Long-term use can leave your skin more susceptible to UV rays, leaving your skin more exposed to the sun's damaging effect and, hence, skin cancer.
Your skin becomes thinner and more sensitive.

BENZALDEHYDE
Regular use of products with this ingredient can cause irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, nausea and pain. Long-term use can result in kidney damage.

COLLAGEN
Extracted from animal skin, it cannot penetrate the pores, hence collagen of this origin only clogs the pores and keeps the skin from functioning properly.

DEA, MEA, TEA (Diethanolamine, Monoethanolamine, and Triethanolmine)
Found in shampoos, soaps, facial cleansers and any personal care products that foam, the three are hormone-disrupting chemicals and known to cause cancer. A recent report proved that DEA and MEA are readily absorbed into the skin.

Ethanolamines (Monoethanolamine aka MEA, Diethanolamine aka DEA, Triethanolamine aka TEA): common pH stabilizers; when exposed to oxygen/air form nitrosoamines, which may be irritating and/or toxic. The amount of nitrosoamines formed during typical use of skin care products with ethanolamines is unclear.


FORMALIN
This substance is used in labs to preserve dead bodies. Usually found in nail polish, shampoos and skin creams, it causes allergic reaction when in contact with skin and its fumes are linked to asthma and cancer.

FRAGRANCE
Many of the compounds found in fragrances are carcinogenic or toxic. Most of the ingredients used for fragrance on a label are synthetic. Clinical observations by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope and other behavioral changes.

There are over 200 synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics. There is no way to know which particular ones are in your product, since on the label it will simply say "Fragrance." Safety of most synthetic fragrances is an open question. Best to avoid them since they provide no skin benefits. True, it is good to have a nice smelling cream. However, apart from the questionable safety, frangrance may mask spoilage of your product, an effect you would want to avoid.


LANOLIN
While purported as a good skin ingredient, lanolin is actually a fat derived from wool. It is known to cause irritation and rashes to the skin.

MINERAL OIL
Found in lipsticks, lotions, makeup removers and liquid foundations, mineral oil is actually crude oil derived from petroleum. It coats the skin like a film, preventing pores from breathing, hence may interfere with normal perspiration and other skin functions

PARABEN
Used to prolong the shelf life of products, paraben may be widely used but it is also known to be toxic. Regular use can result in allergic reaction.

Parabens (e.g. Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl and Butyl Paraben): Used as preservatives; inhibit microbial growth and extend shelf life of products. Methyl paraben may degrade releasing methanol, a potentially toxic chemical. However, the amounts of methanol that might be released from methyl paraben in skin care products are too small for any known systemic effects. Most people don't have an obvious skin reaction to parabens. However, more research is needed to determine whether they are truly nontoxic or may cause low level skin damage in the long term.


PROPYLENE GLYCOL
This ingredient can cause skin rashes and contact dermatitis. It has also been shown to cause damage to the kidney and liver. Commonly found in beauty creams, cosmetics, and cleansers.

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS)
Found in cosmetics, toothpaste and shampoos, too harsh levels of SLS will dry out the skin. When combined with other chemicals, it can also form carcinogenic compunds. SLS is actually used in labs to deliberately cause skin irritations for research purposes.
Avoid products with sodium lauryl sulfate unless time of contact with the skin is very short. Even skin cleansers should rather be without it.


SYNTHETIC COLORS
A popular dye used in mainly lipstick, these are believed to be carcinogenic especially Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5 & 6, and Red 33. Many contain coal tar, arsenic and lead.

Whether synthetic colors are completely safe or mildly damaging in the long run is unknown. Since they serve no useful purpose, they are best avoided (except perhaps when avoiding them means foregoing an otherwise great product). They are labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number, e.g. FD&C Red No. 6 or D&C Green No. 6.


TALC
Found in loose and pressed powders, blushes and baby powder, talc is a potentially harmful ingredient when inhaled.

IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA AND DIAZOLIDINYL UREA
Used as preservatives to prevent bacterial growth although ineffective against fungi. Known to be a relatively common cause of contact dermatitis. Two trade names for these chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. Germall 115 may release formaldehyde, a potentially toxic chemical. Potential for low level skin damage in the long term is unproven but appears likely.