Are your COSMETICS TOXIC? My guess is yes. Common drugstore Cosmetic ingredients FINALLY EXPOSED!
Do you know what is in your cosmetics and other products in your daily skincare routine? Could what you are putting on your skin be making it more red or be making you physically sick?
60% of what you put on your skin really is absorbed into your bloodstream.
Ladies, most of you are poisoning yourselves and may not even know it. I see women every day using chemical cosmetics and not even thinking twice about what they put on their skin. This was one of the biggest reasons that I started Christina's Natural Qualities and why I am so passionate about researching all of our ingredients myself. I read a research study that was done in Italy that showed that 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream. Not just your skin, your bloodstream. This really made me think and it should make you think, too. Mainstream media would have you to think that this is all just something someone came up with to put down certain brands. Speaking as a nurse I want you to think about this a little. If what we put on our skin is not absorbed into our bloodstream then how do nitroglycerin patches work? How do nicotine patches work? Absolutely, these medications and other chemicals are absorbed into your bloodstream, that's how they work. With so many people thinking about what they eat and trying to eat organic and non-GMO it really needs to make you think about what you're putting on your skin. What you put in your mouth is actually digested by the enzymes in your digestive system and then sent out to where it needs to go in your body through your blood. This gives you a little bit of protection, but what you put on your skin is absorbed and goes directly into your bloodstream.
So many people think that if a product says that it's hypoallergenic or if it says it is natural or organic that means it's safe. That isn't necessarily so. Many companies are out there just for greed. They want you to buy their product and they will say whatever they think will make you buy that product. It may have one natural ingredient or so but not all of the ingredients in the product are natural, people see natural on the label and they assume it's safe. Read your ingredients ladies. I can't stress this enough. Read your ingredients. If a company doesn't list their ingredients on your cosmetics there's probably a reason, look it up, do your research, "google" it. There are over 1500 chemicals that are harmful to you that are put in our cosmetics that have been banned in cosmetics in Europe for the same reason.
Recently I saw a post on Facebook. It was a young lady asking her friends what type of cosmetics they used. The foundation make up that she had been using had begun to make her skin itchy and red, therefore she turned to her Facebook friends for helping, asking suggestions on what they used. I saw comments from literally over 20 women recommending a "hypoallergenic" foundation that I know contains at least 10 chemicals that cause cancer, infertility, and a whole host of other problems. As a nurse, it really just made me cringe to think that people don't pay any more attention than that to what they put on their skin. So I decided to do my blog post this week on specific ingredients. I am looking at one main foundation that I saw recommended many, many times. It really wouldn't be right of me to actually name that brand but I will give you a hint it starts with a C and may or may not rhyme with unique. *wink* I picked the ingredients out for this one brand because it covered a lot of the common toxic ingredients in your everyday foundations. Do yourselves a favor ladies (or gentlemen) and grab your go-to foundations to compare.
Here are the ingredients:
Water, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trehalose, PEG-10 Dimethicone, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Laureth-7, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone Silylate, Xanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Silica, Coconut Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Mica, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Bismuth Oxychloride.
When I read these ingredients I see: Cancer, Hormone imbalance, Immune depletion, GMOs and may contain a couple of natural minerals. Now let me tell you what those ingredients actually are.
Isostearyl Neopentanoate is the ester of Isostearyl Alcohol and Ieopentanoic Acid. One study showed that it is an eye irritant but continues to be used in eye shadows as well as other cosmetics.
Dimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. A polymer is a large molecule made up of several smaller units bonded together. Did you catch Silcon-based? Silcone, while making cosmetics look smoother, also build up on your skin. They keep it from “breathing”. So in the short term it makes your skin look great. However, in the long run, it increases the results of aging among other things. The European Union has found it to interfere with human hormone function. High levels of Dimethicone caused uterine tumors and harm to the reproductive and immune systems in lab animals. It also showed an ability to influence neurotransmitters in the nervous system.
Isohexadecane is a derivative of petroleum. Need I say more? No, but I will. Petroleum based products, also known as paraffin, petrolatum and mineral oil are extracted from crude oil. Yes, the same source as the oil and gas that you use in your car. They are actually byproducts of and derived from crude oil and may have known or potential cancer causing effects. They may also be contaminated with unlisted hazardous impurities due to their manufacturing process. Many petroleum based products also build up in the adipose tissue under your skin. They interfere with the body's natural ability to eliminate toxins by blocking your pores.
Trimethylsiloxysilicate is another silicone. See Dimethicone above as they are the same properties.
Sodium Hyaluronate – Also known as hyaluronic acid, this ingredient is naturally found in the skin and increases collagen production to help with wrinkles. This one is actually safe. In fact I use it in our tinted moisturizer.
Butylene Glycol another ingredient usually derived from petroleum. It is also used to make plastic and nylon.
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone – More Silicone. This one can actually build up in your system, according to European research and cause “Multiple Organ Toxicity”. In Canada this ingredient has been shown to be persistent in the environment and to accumulate in aquatic organisms.
This is beginning to look more like something I would make a plastic bowl out of instead of something that I would put on my face.
Trehalose is actually a sugar. ? I don’t know. Maybe to sweeten you up a bit? It is usually derived from GMO corn. Mind you GMO corn is listed as a pesticide by the EPA.
You can read about it here: https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/pip/smartstax-factsheet.pdf
PEG-10 Dimethicone – Really?? More silicone? It is actually a polyethylene glycol derivative of Dimethicone. It also contains ethylene oxide. Which is a very well-known cancer causing chemical. According to OSHA “Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a flammable, colorless gas at temperatures above 51.3 ºF (10.7 ºC) that smells like ether at toxic levels. EtO is found in the production of solvents, antifreeze, textiles, detergents, adhesives, polyurethane foam, and pharmaceuticals.”
(And breast cancer tumors and other cancer tumors and……your make-up)
Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a Silicon-based ingredient; used as a binder. More silicone.
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein & Tocopheryl Acetate. I put these two together because they both stem from the same plant – Soy beans. I don’t really have anything against Soy per se. But 96% of the soy beans grown in the US are GMO soy beans and contain glyphosate (roundup). While Vitamin E (Tocopherol) is good for your skin it is nearly impossible to get in the US without being extracted from soy. If you look real hard, you can find a Non-GMO source. If it was organic I am sure they would have shared that in their ingredients.
Poly methyl Methacrylate. According to Wikipedia “Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), also known as acrylic or acrylic glass as well as by the trade names Plexiglas, Acrylite, Lucite, and Perspex among several others” I will just leave that here. Moving on….
Propylene Carbonate is a carbonate ester derived from propylene glycol. According to the MSD sheet (US Material safety data): “After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of water. Gently and thoroughly wash the contaminated skin with running water and non-abrasive soap. Be particularly careful to clean folds, crevices, creases and groin. Cold water may be used. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. Wash contaminated clothing before reusing.” But the FDA says it is safe for use in cosmetics… hmmm.
Lecithin and Hydrogenated Lecithin – Lecithin is derived from Soy. GMO soy? Most likely.
Laureth-7 is a polyethylene glycol-based surfactant. Really?? More Polyethylene Glycol? What is with these people? Was there a sale?
Dimethicone Silylate - Dimethicone and silica. Sandy Silicone.
Dipropylene glycol according to Wiki “finds many uses as a plasticizer” But, it is much less toxic than it’s cousin propylene glycol.
Sodium Chloride– Salt
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate – An anti-caking agent extracted from clay
Polyaminopropyl biguanide is a disinfectant and a preservative used for disinfection on skin and in cleaning solutions for contact lenses. Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, a preservative, has been banned from personal care products in Denmark since January of 2015, based on the European Commission’s classification of this ingredient as a CMR substance. CMR substances are substances that are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction in cosmetic products.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent, used to decrease the reactivity of metal ions that may be present in a product. According to research on pub med: “These chelating agents are cytotoxic and weakly genotoxic, but not carcinogenic.” Well that’s a relief. They might be toxic to living cells and cause them to mutate by being toxic to their DNA but at least they won’t give me cancer.
Phenoxyethano – I will just leave this one to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: “Phenoxyethanol is used as a preservative in cosmetic products and also as a stabilizer in perfumes and soaps. Exposure to phenoxyethanol has been linked to reactions ranging from eczema to severe, life-threatening allergic reactions. Infant oral exposure to phenoxyethanol can acutely affect nervous system function.
So, there you have it folks. Mostly Silicone, plastic, crude oil and cancer causing agents, throw in a few nervous system and immune system dysfunctions and you have yourself some make-up. Why did you want to smear this all over your face again? How import is beauty compared to your health? The manufacturer will tell you it is “Lightweight, moisturizing makeup covers thoroughly without clogging pores. Skin breathes comfortably, colour stays true, even through sweat and humidity.“ Yeah right. I know better, and now you do, too. What we have learned about the ingredients, obviously that is a lie. And then they charge you almost $30 for this bottle of chemicals.
This really upsets me when I see products like this and see so many women blindly using them every day thinking that they are safe. I hate to brag on my own products but, hey it’s MY blog right?? I promise you that I have researched each and every ingredient that is in any of our products and assured they were not only natural, vegan, soy-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and cruelty-free, but ACTUALLY safe. I'm not telling you "Go BUY MY PRODUCT" or guilt you into making a change, but now you know the truth. It's up to you whether you care enough about your skin to do something about it. (Psst… AND it's cheaper, too!) *wink wink*
CNQ Cosmetics' Anti-Aging Tinted Moisturizer ingredients are as follows: Water (Distilled), Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) Whole Leaf Juice (Organic), Vegetable Glycerin, Shea Butter (Butyrodspermum parkii), Sweet Almond Oil, (Prunus amygdalus dulcis), Vegetable Emulsifying Wax, Palm Stearic Acid, Rosehip Seed Oil (Rosa Rubginosa),
Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate), Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Ultramarine Blue, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, 100% pure Essential oils of Calendula Officinalis, Carrot Seed (Daucus Carota Sativa), Frankincense (Boswellia Sacra), Lemon (Citrus Medica Limonum), Clary Sage ( Salvia Sclarea) and Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia), Silver Citrate and Citric Acid.
And I can rest assured that you know what all of those ingredients are- healthy Ingredients that are healing to your skin. I will get more into what the benefits are of every one of our ingredients, but that is a post for another day. Because yeah, not only are our ingredients not harmful to you, they actually make you and your skin HEALTHIER and in turn brings our your true inner beauty. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please let me know. Also, if you don't already, make sure you LIKE and SHARE us on FACEBOOK to make sure you stay in-the-know on all the latest! We want to hear from you guys! Start a conversation with us on our Facebook page or Post us a photo of your newest Cosmetic look!!
Have a Beautiful AND HEALTHY Week!!!!
Christina
References:
CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Food Additive Status List. Downloaded from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/opa-appa.html, Oct 16, 2006.
FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov
The European Commission (The executive of the European Union) Promotes its general interest.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:342:0059:0209:en:PDF
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/phenoxyethanol/