Spring has officially sprung, and there’s no better time to commit to better decisions for a healthier rest of your year. This post is written to inspire you to choose better now, so you can live your best life, well, now. Let’s begin our journey to low-tox living.
With a commitment to holistic living, let’s take inventory of the not-so-great-for-us ingredients we come into contact with every day. Yep, we’re talking everything personal care, from toothpaste to hair care, body care, fragrance, and our favorite, skincare. All of us have heard by now that our skin is our largest organ, but maybe not all of us understand why that is so important and what the implications are for our overall well-being.
The Skin
Our skin, in all of its decadent shades from sweet vanilla cream to our rich and sultry cacao hues, is a porous surface allowing for topical skincare and fragrance to make their way into deeper layers, also known as product penetration. Product penetration is different from product absorption. Absorption happens when ingredients make their way into the bloodstream, and of the two, absorption is the more serious offender. This means that the ingredients you apply on the skin, won’t necessarily show up the same way when absorbed in the bloodstream, because of the various complex metabolic processes within our bodies that break those ingredients down.
Other factors contributing to these processes include the molecular weight of the ingredient, whether it is oil-soluble to be able to penetrate the skin barrier, or water-soluble, to be able to enter the bloodstream. Similarly, different ingredients within a given product have the potential to react with each other to form compounds that can be absorbed in different rates. When those smaller compounds are formed, they will be absorbed as just a part of the whole product.
The Disruptors
Being a disruptor is not necessarily a bad thing, particularly if you happen to be in the technology and innovation space. But it’s definitely not a good thing if you’re talking about your health and wellness. So biologically speaking, what qualifies as an endocrine disruptor?
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals that mimic, block, or interfere with hormones in the body’s endocrine system.
Endocrine Society
It’s disconcerting to think about how many products we expose ourselves to on a daily basis, and how many of those products have the potential to wreak havoc on our hormones. To think that something we apply to our skin can mimic our natural hormones and trigger or avert a critical hormonal process should be enough of a reason to overhaul our approach to what is deemed healthy skincare.
With a low bar for testing standards, harmful EDCs which include plastic products and tens of thousands of other synthetic and naturally derived chemicals are highly unregulated and do not undergo adequate safety testing. Unfortunately, because of their prevalence in society, endocrine-associated disorders are on the rise. Some conditions that have been reported include reproductive/infertility disorders, neurologic impairment, attention disorders, lowered immunity, metabolic disorders, and various types of cancer.
The Toxic
When purchasing skincare products, the first thing you should do is scan the ingredients label and familiarize yourself with some of the commonly known EDCs. Here are just a few of them to help you get started with low-tox living.
- Parabens – A common class of preservatives found in food, and many cosmetics and skincare products. Parabens have been reported to be estrogen mimickers linked to breast cancer, and have been identified in breast tumors as shown in the infamous 2004 study conducted by Dr. Philippa Darbre. Controversy still remains as to whether the tumors were actually caused by parabens or other environmental factors.
- Phthalates – Read up on our previous post on all things phthalates, also known as the “everywhere chemical”.
- Triclosan – Currently banned by the FDA for use in soap, triclosan has been known to be used in many personal care products as an antimicrobial. Concerns have been raised over its safety and link to cancer, antibiotic resistance, and interference with thyroid hormones.
- Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) – Another banned substance by the FDA, DDT is a known insecticide used in agriculture and has been linked to liver and reproductive disorders, as well as being a potential carcinogen.
- Aluminum – Commonly used in antiperspirants, sunscreen, and toothpaste products, aluminum is a toxic metal that is known to be an estrogen mimicker and neurotoxin with regular exposure.
- Benzophenone – Predominantly found in SPF products such as sunscreens and lip balms, benzophenone filters out UV rays to protect the integrity of the other ingredients (color, scent, etc.). The American Chemical Society has reported that it is a known carcinogen and endocrine disruptor particularly as it degrades over time. It also pollutes our coral reef through bleaching, impairment, DNA damage, and death.
- Bisphenol A (BPA) – Everyone should know this one, it’s the most talked about chemical that’s literally in everything, especially plastic products. BPA leaches into food and beverages depending on the packaging and is also prevalent in skincare products when housed in cheap, plastic bottles. Exposure to BPA has been shown to affect the brain, fetuses, children’s behavior, and is linked to other common health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
- DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), and TEA (triethanolamine) – A category of carcinogenic compounds, ethanolamine is found in almost every personal care product. These ingredients are linked to liver cancer and organ system toxicity. Read more about them here.
- Mineral Oil – Used as an occlusive emollient, this petroleum-based liquid traps moisture under the skin to improve hydration. It has the ability to clog pores which may give rise to acne and other skin conditions. Untreated and minimally treated mineral oil shows an increased risk for skin cancer.
- Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) – This petroleum-based thickener and softener is often used in cosmetics and laxatives to enhance penetration in the skin, which can compromise the delicate skin barrier. This may be contaminated with human carcinogens during the manufacturing process, which may result in respiratory and neurological disorders.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – These are popular foaming agents used in cleaning products to help them lather nicely. They strip the skin’s natural oils and may cause skin and respiratory irritation. Both ingredients are also harmful to aquatic life.
- Synthetic fragrance/Parfum – This catch-all term is an umbrella for hundreds, even thousands of undisclosed or unregulated individual ingredients which may even include phthalates. Parfum ingredients may cause allergic reactions, hormone disruption, and other disorders. If a label is not transparent with all ingredients, skip it!
- Siloxanes – A category of toxins, anything ending with -siloxane should be a red flag. Used in skincare and haircare to soften and smooth, these ingredients (especially Cyclotetrasiloxane D4 and Cyclopentasiloxane D5) have been reported to be disruptive to the endocrine system, reproductive system, and nervous system.
- Oxybenzone – Mostly seen in sunscreen products, this ingredient has been linked to allergic reactions, fetal development disorders, and changes in hormone, kidney, and thyroid function.
- Toluene – A derivative of crude oil, toluene is found in gasoline, and products such as nail polish, hair dye, paint, adhesive, and rubber. Effects of this toxic chemical can include, respiratory complications, metabolic disorders, and developmental and reproductive toxicity, among many others shown here.
- Teflon – You don’t want to be Teflon-tough with your personal care products, because it comes with a hefty price. Teflon is part of a group of fluorinated chemicals known as per-and-polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS), which are added to cosmetics as a water repellant (think waterproof eyeliner & mascara), as well as food wrappers, and other plastic and rubber products. It is non-biodegradable and can build up in our bodies as well as contaminate tap water. Consumption of contaminated water has been linked to disruption of the hormone system, reproductive and child development disorders, and cancer.
- Carbon Black – An absolute no-no! Also known as Uncertified D&C Black No. 2, and many other names, is found in most eye cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara, lash glue, carbon black is a cosmetic pigment and a known carcinogen with chronic exposure/inhalation.
- Formaldehyde – This is a known human carcinogen! Run, don’t walk if you see any of these common formaldehyde-releasing preservatives on a label: DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl urea, Diazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, Bronopol, 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1, Hydroxymethylglycinate. Cosmetic brands, especially nail polish, are notorious for using these ingredients to preserve shelf life and avoid bacterial contamination, but they can also be found in plastics, vinyl flooring, and cleaning products. If inhaled, these fumes can be extremely toxic.
The Ditch & Switch
With all of this information, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are a few simple steps to move forward with to make sure you make better decisions at every step.
Read your labels. This is non-negotiable! Get familiar with ingredients you come into contact with every day. Research ingredients that are new to you to see what they are used for, and educate yourself on recent product recalls, peer-reviewed publications, and policy changes. Another key factor is to not fall victim to greenwashing. Buzz words sound nice, but let’s put theory into practice.
Toxic vs. Non-toxic. The question should always be, is this toxic to my well-being or not? It’s not about chemicals being in your ingredient list, it’s really about how harmful specific ingredients can be, whether synthetic or natural. Because let’s face it, water and air are also chemicals, and even natural ingredients can be toxic.
Less is more. Personal care products should be about quality. Spend on a brand’s mission, ethical sourcing, eco-conscious packaging, and brilliant formulation. Support small businesses, and invest in their passion, purpose, and impact. Pick a few products that work with your unique skin type, and design an effective routine that makes you feel wholesome. When it comes to skincare, all you really need is a great cleanser, antioxidant serum, any specific treatments your skin may need (acne, eczema), and a hydrating moisturizer that fits your needs. Don’t skimp on the good stuff!
Choose wisely. Packaging is critical when it comes to skincare. Avoid plastic as much as possible, and opt for products that come in glass bottles or other non-plastic materials. If plastic is the only option, ensure it’s BPA-free. Unfortunately, even BPA-free does not necessarily mean it’s perfectly safe, as other materials in the plastic have the potential to leach. You can learn a lot about a brand’s mission simply by the way they package their formulas.
Know your resources. A few great websites to keep on hand when you want to research an ingredient are: Think Dirty App, EWG’s Skin Deep, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, and INCI Decoder.
Share Your Thoughts!
We’ll continue to update this post as more harmful ingredients make headlines. Of course, we can’t capture the full spectrum of everyday toxins, and would love to hear from you! What other ingredients do you avoid as part of your holistic wellness journey? Do you recommend other resources to reliably check the safety of your ingredients? Please share in the comments below!