by Dr. Kristen Bovee, Peninsula Naturopathic Clinic & Hydrate IV Wellness Centre –
Our skin is a reflection of our internal health. When our cells and organs are healthy, our skin reflects this in its radiance. Our skin also gives us hints that our internal environment is unbalanced and ironically, sometimes it is what we are putting on our skin that is the cause. Cosmetics, soaps, creams and shampoos we put on our body every day can contain hidden (and not so hidden) ingredients causing us harm. These products, although purchased and intended to support our skin in having an appearance of health, can often contain toxic, cancer-causing ingredients that do the complete opposite.
New information on the risks and health concerns about what is found in our skin care products and cosmetics is coming out regularly. The following are the top five ingredients found in many skin care products that need to be avoided to protect us from harm.
Phthalates. These are most often found in cosmetics; other names to look for are DBP, DMP and DEP. These chemicals are used to make plastic and vinyl soft and flexible. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, making them mimic our own hormones and cause cellular changes in our organs leading to hormonal conditions such as early onset of puberty and breast cancer.
Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate. This chemical is a foaming agent that makes things “sudsy,” such as shampoos, cleansers and toothpaste. It is an irritant that causes inflammation, dryness and premature aging of the skin. It has been shown to damage hair follicles.
Parabens. These are used in makeup, moisturizers, hair products and shaving products as preservatives. Be on the lookout for methyl, propyl, and butyl forms. Parabens mimic estrogen, leading to breast cancer. They lower male sperm count and increase skin damage from the sun.
Imidazolidinyl urea. This is found in water-based cosmetics (concealers and coverup), hair dyes and shaving cream. It is readily absorbed by the skin and is used as a preservative. It releases formaldehyde and is an allergen and carcinogenic. Other similar chemicals are DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, methenamine, and quarternium-15.
Triclosan. This is an antibacterial and antifungal agent found in toothpaste, soaps, detergents and hand sanitizers. It has been used since the 1970s as a surgical scrub. It can act as an endocrine disruptor by mimicking both androgens and estrogens.
So What Should You Use? I encourage everyone to head to their bathrooms and read the lists of ingredients in their daily cleansing and beauty products. You will be shocked at how many contain toxic ingredients. So what to look for? If you go to a pharmacy, department store or large box store to purchase your skin care products, read your labels carefully. If you head to your local health food store, there are usually large sections for body care that you can get advice on from staff. If you’re not sure, you can always look online at the EWG (Environmental Working Group) database for cosmetics and skin care products that will give you a rating on the safety of the product (www.ewg.org/skindeep/). Regardless, it is important to know that your skin is a permeable barrier: it will not only absorb what is put into your body, it will also absorb what is put onto it.
