Warning over 175 chemicals in toiletries; Any thoughts?

[Leony]

I stumbled upon this article just a few minutes ago.

Warning over 175 chemicals in toiletries
By DAN NEWLINGLast updated at 22:00pm on 3rd September 2006

Headlines

As they go through their morning beauty routine, most women think the worst they are doing is enhancing what nature gave them.

But simply by applying make-up, women could be doing themselves serious health problems.

Every day the average woman applies 175 different chemicals to her body in the form of cosmetics and toiletries, it is claimed.

Most beauty products contain a mind-boggling cocktail of different chemicals - many of which have been linked to various health problems.

The list of potentially harmful ingredients in everyday cosmetics includes chemicals linked to cancers, hormone problems and skin-irritations.

Now a campaign group is calling for cosmetic manufacturers to display more information on what their products contain and to come clean about their side-effects.

The group - set up by the manufacturers of natural products - is especially concerned about three commonly-occuring ingredients which it says can be extremely harmful.

Preserving agents called parabens - often used in moisturisers and body creams - have been linked to breast cancer and also to skin inflammations.

Foaming agents such as sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate - used in shampoos - are said to be skin irritants

And the disinfectant formaldehyde - in shampoos and handwash - can make skin flare up and is linked to asthma and headaches.

Julia Mitchell, spokeswoman for www.chemicalsafeskincare.co.uk, said the average woman will use 12 different cosmetic products a day - unwittingly applying 175 different chemicals to their body.

She said: "Media reports about the possible dangers of certain chemicals such as parabens, sodium laureth sulphate, phthalates and formaldehyde has made consumers more aware of what they are buying, and potentially more demanding of chemical safe alternatives.

"European law, thanks to lobbying by European dermatologists, now requires labelling of contents on skincare products and toiletries"

"But chemically-concerned consumers and manufacturers are campaigning for more information to be made widely available about the potential effects of these ingredients, particularly for sufferers of sensitive skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis."

Professor David Gawkrodger, a consultant dermatologist and spokesman for the British Skin Foundation charity, said eight million people in the UK suffer from a skin condition - and that number is on the rise.

He said: "Some of the chemicals in everyday toiletries may trigger irritant reactions or allergy. Reactions are particularly seen in patients with atopic eczema and those with sensitive skin."

"Most reactions will be to the face or hands, and sometimes on the arms and legs."

SOURCE

Any THOUGHTS on this?

 

[lovesboxers]

I am guilty of using alot of these products and when I hear stuff like this it does concern me and make me wish that I could go all natural. I am using burts bees on my face, so I am doing better there. I wish I could use more natural products cosmetically. As far as body moisturizers right now I am using up BBW stuff I have, but after that I will by from the Health food store they have a great selection to choose from.

 

[eightthirty]

Well, I never really think much about it. Now that you mention Burt's Bees I think I might give that a whirl....eventually. I have ALOT of mu, etc. to replace if I do go natural. It's definitely a thought, now that you bring it up. I'm all about being alive to be a part of my son's life as long as humanly possible!

 

[dentaldee]

the price of beauty!!! how many chemicals do we randomly come in contact with on a daily basis??

 

[Jennifer]

oh, wow. thanks for posting.

 

[suzukigrrl]

I've heard about that before. I think it is something to think about, but you also have to realize that these chemicals are in other household products, food, in our neighborhoods and evironments. Cosmetics aren't the only culprit.

 

[4getmeNot]

i never think about it. chemicals are everywhere, in the air we breathe and in the food we eat..chemicals are a part of our everyday life. regardless, everything should be labeled so we at least have that info.

 

[eightthirty]

Originally Posted by kam_621 /img/forum/go_quote.gif i never think about it. chemicals are everywhere, in the air we breathe and in the food we eat..chemicals are a part of our everyday life. regardless, everything should be labeled so we at least have that info. I know exactly what you mean. If you don't live in a bubble, yr screwed. And even then...what is the bubble made out of?

 

[Little_Lisa]

Originally Posted by suzukigrrl /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've heard about that before. I think it is something to think about, but you also have to realize that these chemicals are in other household products, food, in our neighborhoods and evironments. Cosmetics aren't the only culprit. That's right. I try to avoid certain ones but it's hard to avoid them all.

 

[marshall1704]

Wow, thanks for the great post!!

 

[reyro]

Thanks for the great information! Yes we do come in contact with many chemicals on a daily basis but you have to start cutting back somewhere. Using chemicals on you skin is absorbed and goes directly into your system and your blood stream. This is something we can controll and I try my best to use as many non-chemical products that I can.

 

[Kelly]

I've been very concious of chemicals in products lately...but man....seriously, we walk outside and are exposed to soo much....or heck, if not chemical, then we could harm ourself from the sun or trip and fall on the sidewalk or....

But seriously, it is quite scary and companies use so many cheap fillers it's not even funny.

 

[speerrituall1]

Read the ingredients before purchasing. You'd be surprised what 'cha find. This is why I love Paula Begoun--The Cosmetics Cop.

 

[mm_style]

omg!

i just switched to burt's bees products this month...i dont like not knowing whats in the stuff i put on