1. PEGs (polyethylene glycols)

Found in: products that create suds, such as shampoo,liquid soap, bubble bath, and hair relaxers [1]

Healthworries:

cancer [1], birth defects [2], irritation [5],allergy, hair loss [5]

What toavoid:

anything with 1,4-dioxane, sodium laurethsulfate, PEG, ceteareth or oleth on the label[3] Choose products certified by the USDANational Organic Program.

2. Triclosan

Found in:

Healthworries:

What toavoid:

antibacterial soaps and certain brands oftoothpaste (namely Colgate Total) [1]

hormone disruption [1], skin and eye irritation[2] Also poses environmental risks to marinelife [2]

hand soaps and products labeled“antibacterial” (most have triclosan ortriclocarban on the label) [1] Regular soapgets your hands just as clean [9].

3. Formaldehyde

Found in:

Healthworries:

What toavoid:

shampoos, liquid baby soaps, nail polish, nailglue, eyelash glue, hair gel, hair-smoothingproducts, body wash, color cosmetics

cancer [2], skin and eye irritation, allergicreactions, [3] respiratory problems [4]

several chemicals in cosmetics can releaseformaldehyde. Avoid products withquaternium-15, DMDM, hydantonin,imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea,poloxymethlene urea, sodiumhydroxymethlglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol) andglyoxal [1]. Choose nail products that are“formaldehyde-free” and skip hair smoothingproducts entirely. Do not use expired productsor store cosmetic products in the sun, whichmay release formaldehyde.

4. Fragrance

Found in:

Healthworries:

cancer, reproductive problems, allergicreactions [1], hormone disruption [3]

What toavoid:

products with “fragrance” or “parfum” onthe ingredients label [1] Synthetic fragrancesoften contain chemicals of concern likephthalates or synthetic musks, but forproprietary reasons, fragrance chemicals donot have to be listed on the ingredients list.Choose unscented products when possible,but be sure to read the fine print. Some“fragrance-free” products contain fragrancechemicals accompanied by a maskingagent [2].

5. Parabens

Found in: cosmetics (eye shadow, foundation,mascara), shampoos, conditioners, lotions,facial and body cleansers

Healthworries:

cancer [2], hormone disruption [8],reproductive problems, developmentalproblems in children [1], allergic reactions [3][5]

What toavoid:

products with ingredients that end with“paraben,” including ethylparaben,butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben,isobutylparaben, and isopropylparaben [1]

Visit www.berkeleywellness.com formore information.

Designed by Katherine DirksCopyright Remedy Health Media, LLC

5 DANGEROUSCHEMICALS IN

YOUR COSMETICS

SOURCES:

[1] http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/[2] http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen- cosmetic-chemicals/[3] http://www.womensvoices.org/avoid-toxic-chemicals/15-toxic-trespassers/[4] http://saferchemicals.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/[5] https://www.organicconsumers.org/old_articles/bodycare/toxic_cosmetics .php[6] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26947464[7] http://cerch.org/research-programs/hermosastudy/hermosa-resources-for- safer-cosmetics/[8] http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-community/environmental- health/article/are-hazardous-chemicals-your-cosmetics[9] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26374612

shampoos, liquid baby soaps, nail polish, nailglue, eyelash glue, hair gel, hair-smoothingproducts, body wash, color cosmetics