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Common Toxic/Carcinogenic Ingredients to Avoid
Synthetic ingredients can clog your pores and denature protein (breakdown skin and gums) making germs more likely to get in and toxins less likely to get out of your body. The result: your skin is not as radiant and healthy as it could be, signs of accelerated aging appear, and your immune system can suffer!
Unfortunately, regulations do not require the listing of household product ingredients. If you do find some listed, the primary ones to avoid would be formaldehyde, methylene chloride, ethylene glycol, acetone, ammonia, toluene, dioxins and borates. Personal care products must show all ingredients, although, numerous products have been examined and many have not listed all ingredients or listed them incorrectly. Formaldehyde, for example, is not normally listed. The most common toxic ingredients used in nearly all personal care products on the market today are:
Propylene Glycol (PG, PEG, BG & EG): petroleum solvents in stains (dyes/color additives, brake fluid, antifreeze are considered extremely toxic. Exposure can cause gastro-intestinal disturbances, nausea, headaches, vomiting and central nervous system depression. EPA warns against skin contact to prevent brain, liver and kidney damage!
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS, SLES & ALS): detergents in car washes and engine degreasers and also in 90% of personal care products that foam. Exposure can cause eye damage, gastro-intestinal ulcers, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation from protein denaturing properties causing skin to separate and become inflamed and even death!
Parabens (methyl, proply, ethyl, & butyl): preservatives found in 99% of body care products and are linked to eczma, acne, immune disease, psoriasis, dermatitis and birth defects. Parabens can mimic the actions of the hormone estrogen, known to fuel cancers and have been detected in human breast cancer tissue!
DEA (diethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine): foaming agents found in body wash, shampoo, soap and facial cleansers can disrupt hormone balance, damange the liver, kidneys, brain, spinal cord, bbone marrow and skin. Contact with the eyes can cause impaired vision. DEA exposure can form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamine NDELA!
Avoid these other chemicals for healthier living: DMDM Hydantoin & Imidazolidinyl Urea; FD&C Color Pigments; Synthetic Fragrance; Mineral oil
More information available in this printable .pdf file Toxins to Avoid
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