What is in your kids’ skin care products?

What is it? Why is it used? Why is it bad?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS):

• can be found in many toothpastes, shampoos and facial cleansers
• causes products to lather and foam
• eye and skin irritant; environmental toxin

Avobenzone:

• can be found in many sunscreens
• acts as an ultraviolet light absorber
• associated with mammalian cell mutation (potentially cancerous)

PABA and PABA Esters:

• can be found in lipstick, products with SPF, lip balm, skin fading/lightener, conditioner, facial moisturizer/treatment, moisturizer, styling gel/lotion
• acts as an ultraviolet light absorber and filter
• releases reactive oxygen radicals that can damage DNA, potentially leading to cancer and/or cardiovascular disease, causes allergic reactions in some people, associated with weak endocrine disruption; suspected to be an environmental toxin

Cinnamates, also seen as Octyl Methoxycinnamate (OMC):

• can be found in sunscreens and lip balms
• acts as an ultraviolet light absorber, reduces the appearance of scars
• disrupts endocrine activity (especially reproductive glands)

Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine:

• can be found in foundation, sunscreen SPF 15 and above, hair color and bleaching, moisturizer, anti-itch cream, anti-fungal treatment
• acts as a pH adjuster
• known to be a human respiratory and immune system toxicant; skin irritant

Paraben Preservatives (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Isobutyl):

• can be found in facial moisturizer/treatment, anti-aging moisturizer, facial cleanser, sunscreen SPF 15 and above, conditioner, eye shadow, hair color and bleaching, foundation, shampoo
• acts as a preservative and a fragrance ingredient
• can interfere with gene expression (cellular level changes), strong evidence for causing endocrine disruption and skin irritation

Polyethylene Glycol (also listed as PEG):

• can be found in facial moisturizer/treatment, hair color and bleaching, anti-aging moisturizer, facial cleanser, conditioner, shampoo, styling gel/lotion, body wash/cleanser, antiperspirant/deodorant, toothpastes
• used as a lubricant, solvent, dispersant (binds to water and keeps gums uniformly distributed), and humectant (helps to retain moisture)
• potentially toxic to some organ systems (non-reproductive); not safe for use on injured or damaged skin

Phthalates (listed under fragrance, if not named):

• can be found in nail polish, nail treatment, cuticle treatment
• used as plasticizers to increase product’s flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity, used as lubricants and gelling agents
• potentially cause endocrine disruption, cumulative effects have been associated with breast cancer; biodegradation of phthalates cause high concentrations of isomers to be released into the environment

Benzophone, more commonly known as Oxybenzone:

• can be found in many sunscreens
• acts as an ultraviolet light absorber and filter
• can cause significant photoallergenic effects, can interfere with cellular signaling to cause mutations and cell death (implicated in cardiovascular disease), toxic to wildlife and the environment

Formaldehyde Derivatives:

• can be found in nail polishes and treatments, styling gels and lotions
• used as a disinfectant and preservative
• known human immune and respiratory system toxicant and skin toxicant, known human carcinogen, possible cardiovascular toxicant; suspected to be an environmental toxin

Note: Did you know with all of the personal care products you use every day, you could be putting toxins into your body up to 25 times a day.