Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) is launching Careful Beauty to give consumers the information they need to choose cosmetics they can trust.
However, the brands quoted are not based in Singapore, hence this is a write-up on the ingredients which they deemed as harmful.
“While beauty products are designed to make us look and feel better about ourselves the majority of modern cosmetics are complex mixtures of industrially produced synthetic chemicals,” says Laureen Benton, Health Officer at WEN. “The problem is that some of these chemicals are bio-accumulative. This means that small amounts absorbed when we wash our hair, paint our nails or spray on deodorant don’t go away and gradually build up to create a chemical cocktail in our bodies. To prevent this we need to choose products which avoid those potentially harmful ingredients. And that’s what Careful Beauty helps us to do.”
Free from synthetic preservatives - parabens
Synthetic preservatives are those ingredients of an unnatural source or origin used as a preservative system in products. Due to the fact that parabens are one of the most widely used preservatives they are the primary exclusion on the list. Formaldehyde can be found as a preservative in various cosmetics, soap, nail hardeners and varnish. Ingesting formaldehyde can cause internal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, coma and death. Formaldehyde is a proven neurotoxin, genotoxin, carcinogen and skin irritant. It is involved in DNA damage and inhibits its repair and in conjunction with other chemical ingredients can produce mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Preservatives are the second most common cause of allergic and irritant reactions to cosmetics.
Free from synthetic fragrances - phthalates
Phthalates are used as a plasticiser and a solvent in cosmetics. They may be listed as dibutyl, dithylhexyl, DEHP, DBP. Some phthalates may not appear on a label as they are components of ‘fragrances’, ‘parfum’, ‘perfume’ and other synthetic fragrances. Research strongly demonstrates that DEHP is linked to adverse affects to male and female reproductive systems and the EU has banned the use of some phthalates in PVC toys as well as listing it as a ‘substance of very high concern.’ Phthalates can be found in cosmetics such as nail varnishes, deodorants, fragrances, hair gels and sprays, hand and body lotions.
Free from bleaching agents
Bleaching agents, such as hydroquinone and mercury, are added to skincare products to help lighten skin. Although banned in the EU they are still manufactured in Asia and Africa. These bleaching chemicals are highly toxic – hydroquinone can cause brown patches on skin and is an irritant, mercury can cause serious poisoning as well as cancer.
Free from chemically manufactured / synthetic made / nature identical ingredients
Nature identical ingredients are produced synthetically or processed but are chemically identical to substances that are found in nature, e.g.silicones, paraffin and other fossil fuel-derived products. See petrochemicals below.
Free from detergents
Detergents are alternatives to soap and are derived from petroleum based products. Some commonly used detergents are Ethoxylated Alcohols (EA) including PEG, SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Amines and Derivatives (DEA etc.). Many used for their foaming action in shampoo, conditioners, facial cleansers, hair dyes, lotions, soaps, baby shampoo, baby wipes, shaving cream and acne treatment. Detergents can dry skin and hair, cause irritations to eyes and skin, and can react with impurities and nitrate preservatives, some of which may cause cancer. DEA causes liver and kidney tumours, can damage testicles and reduce sperm activity. Research demonstrates a strong relationship to toxicity to kidneys and nervous system.
Free from GM ingredients
Genetically modified organisms are highly contested ingredients on a global scale. Consumer concerns have caused European companies to work at removing GM ingredients from their products, however many US companies maintain there is not enough evidence of harm from GMOs in cosmetics.
Free from lanolin
A natural emulsifier and emollient, lanolin is used extensively in cosmetics. Lanolin is found in moisturisers, especially those for lips. It is found in shampoo, ointments, face washes and creams, lip balms, hand creams, cold creams and face powders. Lanolin can be an irritant and can cause chapping of the lips. If the cosmetic product does not use certified organic lanolin then there is a risk of exposure to traces of DDT, dieldrin, lindane and other neurotoxic pesticides.
Free from nanoparticles
Nanoparticles, such as titanium oxide and zinc oxide, are used in cosmetics and as UV filters in sun creams. It has shown to be possible for nanoparticles to enter the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier, thus entering the brain itself. Fullerenes are another example of nanoparticles used in anti-aging products. Research associated with the health affects of fullerenes and titanium dioxide indicate that certain nanoparticles may be genotoxic and photogenotoxic.
Free from petrochemicals
Petrol based products, such as petroleum, mineral oil, propylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, paraffin, petroleum and petroleum by-products are used as penetration enhancers, lubricants and emollients in such products as cold creams, lipsticks, mascaras, baby creams, moisturising creams, shaving creams, hair conditioners, makeup removers to name a few. Petroleum based products can irritate and sensitise skin, may compromise skin’s own moisturising system as well as contain harmful impurities.
Free from retinol
Retinol, in its many forms, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene and retinyl is are used in moisturizers and night creams with the suggestion of offering anti-ageing effects. Predominantly found in anti-ageing skin creams and moisturisers as well as psoriasis and acne care. When exposed to large doses of retinol during pregnancy research shows that it may harm the development of the embryo. Side effects associated with topical tretinoin are skin irritation, dryness, peeling and sun sensitivity and with persistent use, skin damage and accelerate ageing. Adapalene and tazarotene both indicate similar side effects from usage, along with redness, burning sensation and rash.
Free from synthetic colours
Crude oil, coal tar and mineral derived dyes and lakes may contain carcinogenic arsenic and lead. These ingredients are found in products such as lip glosses, children’s toothpaste and hair colours. Some synthetic colours have been linked to childhood hyperactivity disorders as well as cancers.
Source : Careful Beauty
Read more on facts about cosmetics in Wen
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