I’ve been meaning to post this list for awhile, but I finally got around to finishing it. By no means is this list exhaustive, and I do not have a medical degree, BUT I’d rather be informed than infirmed, so here’s my list of 12 ingredients I avoid in my natural hair and beauty products.
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Sulfates – Also known as “surfactants” sulfates are primarily used to made cleaning and hair products such as shampoos “suds” up. They are not only harmful for the environment, they strip your hair of their natural oils in the process and can cause skin and breathing irritations. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), and Ammonium lauryl sulfate are the most common sulfates put in hair and beauty products. Sodium (C-14-16) Olefin Sulfonate Sulfates has snuck onto the scene recently and is being found in some products that are listed as “sulfate-free”. More about sulfates here.
Parabens – This ingredient is an antibacterial additive that prolongs the shelf-life in beauty products. It’s found in everything from lotions, to shampoos, to tortillas. (yes, tortillas). Parabens bind to the body’s estrogen receptors, encouraging the growth of cancer cells.The most widely used parabens are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben and benzylparaben. More about parabens here.
Petrolatum – Derived from petroleum, this ingredient is what Vaseline is made out of. This ingredient alone is not really harmful, but when used in combination with lanolin, coconut oil, squalen or mineral oil, it can clog pores not allowing skin to breathe. It was made to be used as a lubricant for machinery and as a burn ointmentmeant to protect severely damaged skin from moisture so that it can heal. I chose not to use it because of how it seems to wear my hair down, and make my skin feel greasy. Also, since petroleum is a non-renewable resource, it’s damaging to the environment. More about petrolatum here.
Phthalates – These are man made polymers used to make things like plastic more pliable. Phthalates have been linked to cancer, birth defects, reproductive defects, low sperm count and endocrine disruption. Unfortunately, it’s everywhere. From our toothpaste, to makeup, to plastic storage containers to the PVC pipes in the basement that bring in drinking water. It’s hard to avoid this chemical, but you can do your best by staying away from products with it as an added ingredient and storing your food in glass containers. Some common phthalates are: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di-n-pentyl phthalate (DnPP), di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). More about phthalates here..
Cones – Dimethicone, Amodimethicone and other “cones” are derivatives of silicone, it’s used in hair products especially targeted at people who have curly hair and either straighten their hair with heating implements (curling irons, hot combs, etc), or want to “tame the frizz”. It provides a protective barrier against the heat and the silicone tends to keep hair straighter longer, and because the silicone wraps around the hair strnads they appear to be less “frizzy”. I have three problems with this ingredient: 1. The only way to fully wash a “cone” out of your hair is with a sulfate-based surfactant. 2. I don’t straighten my hair. Ever. 3. It’s toxic to the environment and is on Canada’s Environment Canada Domestic Substance List. More on Cones here.
Lead – Lead is found in many lipsticks, eyeshadows, concealers, foundations and rouge and can cause the following: Fatigue, learning difficulties, slowed growth, high blood pressure, muscular weakness and even miscarriage. To find out what lipstick brands are highest in lead check out this list. and for brands that are lead free check out this post. Click here to find out how to test for lead in your makeup.
Formaldehyde – This chemical is a preservative used to prolong shelf-life of products. Remember those nasty frogs from science class that you had to dissect in high school? Remember that slimy, clear fluid that they were preserved in? Yep. that’s formaldehyde. And guess what? It’s in your nail polish. Which ones? All of em. There are a few brands that are removing formaldehyde from their products, (Essie and Opi are among them). But there are chem-free nail polish lines out there like Zoya.More about formaldehyde here.
Hydroquinone – This compound is found in most skin care products and skin lightening creams aimed at clearing up dark spots, acne scars and other skin discolorations. It does this by reducing the amount of melanin that your skin produces, therefore giving the appearance of a lighter skin tone. However, reduced melanin means increased UVB/UVA exposure, skin thinning, and Ochronosis. Learn more about hydroquinone here.
Oxybenzone – This is a hormone disrupting chemical commonly found in sunscreens. Instead of sitting on top of the skin and protecting it from UV exposure, it actually is absorbed at an alarming rate, and being a man-made chemical, your body has no idea what to do with it, which couldlead to cancerous tumours. Also, when unused products with this ingredient hit the environment, it has devastating developmental effects on animals and wildlife. Better alternatives are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. More on oxybenzone here.
Talc – Talc can be found in most powdered makeup, eyeshadows, antacids, and yes, talcum powder. The problem with talc is that it has been linked to ovarian cancer in women and lung cancer from people who mine the mineral. It can be potentially harmful for babies because they can inhale the particles and damage their still developing lungs. Researchers have also reported that talc may even mimic asbestos in our systems. The jury is still out, but it’s been under scrutiny for so long that I’m not willing to take the risk. More on talc here.
Mineral Oil- This is a clear oil commonly referred to as Baby Oil. It’s also found in cold creams and many cosmetics because it’s cheap to manufacture in large quantities. However, like petrolatum, it is derived from crude oil which is harmful to the environment. No one has been able to directly prove that mineral is harmful to our bodies, but products mixed with this ingredient may coat the skin and don’t allow it to breathe, which can cause skin to flake and crack as it literally tries to get air. I’ve never liked it in my hair, because it coats the strands and makes my curls dull and lifeless, leaves an icky film behind and causes scalp irritation. More on mineral oil here.
• What are some ingredients that you avoid in your health and beauty products?Image credits:picsfive / 123RF Stock Photo
merkulovnik / 123RF Stock Photo
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