You vs. Your Vanity:
From Hair Care to Cosmetics, Here are the Top 10 Toxins to Avoid

Leading health experts continue to warn us about harmful pollutants in our air, food and water, but what we don’t often hear about are the dangerous chemicals lurking right in our very own homes. From Brenda Watson’s The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps, we’ve compiled the following list of synthetic ingredients to avoid, many of which are found beneath every bathroom vanity.

1. Methyl-, propyl-, butyl-, and ethylparaben. Parabens are chemicals widely used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries as preservatives. Studies have shown that once absorbed by the body, parabens may trigger allergic reactions and irritating skin rashes. There may also be a link between parabens and an increased risk of breast cancer among women. Commonly used in commercial deodorants, particularly antiperspirants, they may actually accelerate tumor growth. Research has shown that a woman is eight times more likely to develop breast cancer in the area of the breast closest to the underarm than in any other part of the breast.
2. Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA). Used as emulsifiers and/or foaming agents, these chemical compounds also can cause allergic reactions, eye irritations, and dryness of hair and skin. Both are ammonia compounds, which can combine with nitrates to form carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds called nitrosamines.
3. Diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea. These antimicrobial preservatives—widely used in cosmetics, skin care products, shampoos and conditioners—are blamed for contact dermatitis. Both release formaldehyde, which has been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known carcinogen.
4. Sodium lauryl sulfate/sodium laureth sulfate. This is a cheap, harsh detergent used in shampoos for its cleansing and foam-building properties. Often derived from petroleum, it is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the phrase “comes from coconuts.” It causes eye irritation, scalp irritation, skin rashes, and other allergic reactions.
5. Petrolatum. Known also as petroleum jelly, this mineral oil derivative is used for its emollient (softening) properties in cosmetics. It provides no nutrient value and may interfere with the body’s own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dryness and chapping. It often creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is incredibly inexpensive.
6. Propylene glycol. This common moisturizing ingredient has been known to cause allergic reactions and skin irritations such as hives and eczema. Related synthetic compounds are PEG (polyethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol).
7. PVP/VA copolymer. This petroleum-derived chemical is used in hair sprays, styling aids, and other hair care products. It is considered toxic, since inhaled particles can be damaging to the lungs of people with bronchial sensitivity.
8. Stearalkonium chloride. Used widely in hair conditioners and creams, this harmful chemical may cause allergic reactions. It was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener and is significantly more inexpensive and easier to use than proteins or herbals, which are more beneficial to the hair.
9. Synthetic colors. Synthetic colors, along with synthetic hair dyes, should be avoided at all costs, as they can be carcinogenic and may increase the risk of developing cancer. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number (example: FD&C Red No. 6 or D&C Green No. 6).
10. Synthetic fragrances. Synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have hundreds of ingredients, and because the label will simply read “fragrance,” there is no way of knowing what those ingredients are. Of the many problems caused by these chemicals, some of the most common include headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation (unusual darkening of the skin), violent coughing, vomiting and skin irritation. Try to avoid buying a cosmetic that has the word “fragrance” on the label.

Because cosmetic ingredients don’t fall under the jurisdiction of either the EPA or the Food and Drug Administration, many such products sold in the United States today contain known toxins that can over time lead to poor health and disease. Equally concerning is the fact that although cosmetics manufacturers are now required to disclose certain so-called ‘dangerous’ ingredients to the State Department of Health and Human Services, they are not required to remove those ingredients.

For a list of companies that have pledged to not use harmful chemicals, visit Safecosmetics.org

For more information, visit www.detoxstrategy.com

The Truth About Toxins
All too often we go about our busy lives without devoting a single thought to the dangerous chemicals that surround us every day, but the reality is that harmful toxins are lurking everywhere.

Exercise for Healthy Detoxification
Regular exercise is an important element in any personal detoxification program. Physical activity stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic systems, both of which play a vital role in mobilizing toxins and eliminating them from the body.