List of Toxic Ingredients Found in Skin Care
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned an independent laboratory test in 2009 on 48 skin care products for children and found that 61 percent of the products tested contained high levels of two cancer-causing chemicals: formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. To limit your exposure to toxic ingredients in skin care products, select products with simple ingredient lists that have fewer synthetic chemicals. Limit your exposure by using just a few products and avoiding those with heavy fragrances and synthetic dyes. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the beauty industry is largely unregulated and there are no legal standards for personal care products when manufacturers state their products are pure, natural or organic.
Toxic ingredients are found in many skin care products. (Image: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images)Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is an ingredient used in foundation, skin moisturizers, lipsticks, eye shadows, concealers, sunscreens and facial powders as an anti-caking and viscosity increasing agent, according to the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. It is a chemical that is toxic to the human nervous system and is a suspected developmental neurotoxin. The aluminum compounds are also suspected respiratory hazards.
Arsenic
Arsenic is an impurity of some ingredients used in skin care products, says the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. The ingredients aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, hydrogenated cotton seed oil, polyvinyl acetate and hydrogenated cottonseed glyceride may contain arsenic as an impurity. Arsenic is a known carcinogen that causes cancer, immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity and endocrine disruption.
Synthetic Fragrances
The Organic Consumers Association says synthetic fragrances used in skin care products can contain as many as 200 ingredients and there is no way to know exactly what makes up the fragrance ingredient since labels only state "fragrance." Synthetic fragrances contain chemicals that can cause skin irritation, rash, dizziness, vomiting, coughing and hyperpigmentation in some people.
Methylparaben
Methylparaben is used as a fragrance and as a preservative ingredient in skin care products, according to the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. It is toxic to non-reproductive organs in the human body and may cause cancer, skin irritation, neurotoxicity and may disrupt endocrine function.
Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone or benzophenone-3 is an ingredient used in skin care products as a sunscreen agent, ultraviolet light absorber or ultraviolet filter. The Skin Deep Cosmetic Database states that oxybenzone may cause cancer and developmental toxicity.
Stearalkonium Chloride
The Organic Consumers Association states that stearalkonium chloride is a toxic chemical that can cause allergic reactions. It is used in creams and hair conditioners and was originally developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener and is cheaper to use in hair conditioners than herbals or proteins.
