Safe Skin Care - Part 4

The biggest concern about all of this is that I have not been able to find any studies about the toxic effects of using the 1,000's of chemicals, used in the personal care products we use everyday, when they are mixed together. If they are so dangerously toxic alone, they must be much more toxic when mixed.

7. TWO OF THE HIGHEST-CONCERN COSMETICS ARE MARKETED TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN.
Products promising lighter skin and straighter hair are problematic because of their message about what is considered beautiful. But the Skin Deep report shows that some hair relaxers and skin lighteners share a second problem: they contain ingredients such as hydroquinone, placenta and petroleum byproducts that are linked to cancer, reproductive and hormonal problems, and some of them sensitize the skin, which means that dangerous ingredients are more likely to penetrate into the body.

8. EVEN INGREDIENTS THAT ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE HARM CAN BE PUT INTO PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS.
Few ingredients have been assessed for long-term health impacts, but those that have—and are known or suspected to be toxic—are still allowed in cosmetics. Seven of the most problematic are:

MERCURY
Often listed as thimerosal on ingredient labels, mercury is a possible human carcinogen, and a human reproductive or developmental toxin. Found in some eye drops, ointments and mascaras.
Note: Mercury is so poisonous that the Loons who live in polluted waters from acid rain, which contains mercury, cannot raise their babies, they forget how.

PLACENTA
Placenta produces progesterone, estrogen and other hormones that can interfere with the body’s normal hormone functions and can lead to serious health problems—like breast cancer—when used in cosmetics. Sometimes used in hair relaxers, moisturizers and toners.
Definition: A structure attached to the wall of the uterus to nourish the fetus during pregnancy. We do not need to use any animals in our products.

LEAD ACETATE
This compound of lead is a known human reproductive and developmental toxin. Prohibited from use in cosmetics in the European Union. Found in some hair dyes and cleansers.

PETROCHEMICALS
These byproducts of crude oil (appearing on labels as petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin) may contain known or suspected human carcinogens as well as harmful breakdown products or impurities from manufacturing processes (such as 1,4-Dioxane), which are not listed on ingredient labels. Found in some hair relaxers, shampoos, anti-aging creams, mascaras, perfumes, foundations, lipsticks and lip balms.
Note: This is refined car oil, remember the birds from the Valdez oil spills that died because they could not breath. You are no different, your skin needs to breath!

PHTHALATES
These plasticizing chemicals are probable human reproductive or developmental toxins and endocrine disruptors. Two phthalates often used in cosmetics (dibutyl and diethylhexyl) have been banned in the European Union. Found in some nail polishes, fragrances and hair sprays.

HYDROQUINONE
A possible carcinogen and probable neurotoxin and skin sensitizer, hydroquinone can also cause a skin disease called ochronosis, which chemileaves irreversible black-blue lesions on skin. Found in some skin lightening products and moisturizers.

NANOPARTICLES
Extremely tiny particles which are largely untested and unlabeled in personal care products, capable of being absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Found in some eye shadows, bronzers, sunscreens and lotions.
Note: Because there are really no regulations, particularly in the US, the manufacturers just started using nanospheres, there aren't any studies or information on how they may be affecting our health or DNA.

Hopefully you are beginning to see the enormous injustice to all women and our families as we unknowingly purchase from companies that simply do not care about our health or protecting the environment.

Tana Dean
TanaDean.com