helping parents & teens choose cosmetics for a healthy body & a healthy planet
TRANSCRIPT
Healthy Beauty
for Life
Sierra Club Canada empowers people to protect,
restore and enjoy a healthy and safe planet!
Helping Parents and Teens Choose
Cosmetics for a Healthy Body and a
Healthy Planet
Sierra Club Canada Foundation 412B-1 Nicholas Street
Ottawa ON K1N 7B7
(613) 241-4611
Sierra Club Canada has partnered with
healthy cosmetics companies to educate par-
ents and their teen daughters about greener
alternative choices in cosmetics and personal
care products. Teens (both boys and girls) are
vulnerable to environmental contaminants
during their crucial adolescent years experi-
menting with cosmetic and personal care
products. Since females tend to use more
products, choosing healthy products is espe-
cially important for young girls. The combina-
tion of different cosmetic products we use
everyday allows for a mélange of chemicals to
pass through and sometimes settle in the
lungs, bloodstream and tissues. Mascara, anti
-aging creams, sun screens, eye shadows and
deodorants all contain a cocktail of chemicals
that can lead to allergies, eczema, cancer and
endocrine disruption.
At Sierra Club Canada, we want to help edu-
cate mothers to help their daughters make
safe and healthy lifestyle choices to critically
examine ingredient lists to choose products
free from harmful chemicals and pollutants.
This pamphlet provides a guide to avoid such
products and navigate the largely self-
regulated cosmetics industry as a conscien-
tious shopper.
Sierra Club Canada Foundation is
partnering with healthy cosmetics companies
to educate parents and their teen daughters
about safe alternatives in cosmetics and
personal care products. Teens are especially
at risk from experimenting with cosmetic and
personal care products since they are
developing and can be sensitive to hormone-
altering chemicals.
Since females tend to use more
products, choosing healthy products is
especially important for young girls. The
combination of different cosmetic products we
use everyday allows for a mélange of synthetic
chemicals to pass into our bodies and
sometimes settle in the lungs, bloodstream
and tissues. Mascara, anti-aging creams,
sunscreens, eye shadows, and deodorants all
contain a cocktail of chemicals that can lead
to allergies, eczema, cancer and endocrine
disruption.
Chemicals in cosmetics are not only
t o x i c t o t e e n a g e r s , b u t a l s o t o o u r
environment after they are washed away into
our water system. Some chemicals commonly
found in our cosmetics have also been found
to be toxic to our environment.
We want parents to be able to talk with
their teenagers about making safe and
healthy lifestyle choices by critically examining
ingredient lists to choose products free from
harmful chemicals and pollutants. This guide
wi l l help you and your teens become
conscientious shoppers when choosing
personal care products and cosmetics!
A study in the UK found
that women absorb about
5 pounds of make up a
year through their skin
and mouth.
The cosmetics industry is
largely self-regulated in Canada and the US.
The ingredient “Fragrance” is used to protect
cosmetic companies’ trade secrets. Thousands of
different chemicals may be included under the
term, many of which can be harmful to human
health. Even products that are “unscented” may
contain masking fragrances. Visit the Sierra Club Canada website for more information on
cosmetics and the cosmetics industry!
THANK YOU !
Thanks to our sponsors for their support. You can find out more about these companies on our website:
www.sierraclub.ca
Sierra Club Canada Smart Shopper’s Guide to Safe Cosmetics
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) – Found in cleansers, conditioners, moisturizers. Opens pores to facilitate rapid absorption of envrionmental toxins; could
increase risk of cancer; may contain harmful impurities.
Resorcinol – Found in acne treatments, hair dye, hair bleach. Skin irritant, dizziness, nausea, headaches.
Retinol (also known as Retinyl palmitate or Vitamin A) – Found in anti-aging products, moisturizers, cleansers. When exposed to UV light, may break down and damage DNA, cause gene mutations (precursor to cancer). If applied to skin and exposed to sunlight, may increase development speed of
skin tumours and lesions. Can also be a skin irritant and may increase chance of birth defects if used while pregnant.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) – Found in shampoo, toothpaste, bubble bath (used to create
foam). Possibly carcinogenic; skin, eye, lung irritant.
Toluene – Found in nail polish, other nail treatment products. Potential neurotoxicant; irritant, impairs breathing, causes nausea; during pregnancy may cause developmental damage to
fetus.
Triclosan – Found in eye shadow, lipstick, facial cleansers, acne treatment, liquid soap. Used as antibacterial agent, may lead to development of resistant bacteria. Toxic to aquatic environments; disrupts thyroid function and reproductive hormones; lung and
skin irritation.
Tips for a Healthier Beauty Regime
Pregnant women should avoid using products, especially: hair dye,
nail polish, perfume, and hair spray.
Limit the number of products you use. One of the biggest problems
with the use of synthetic chemicals in cosmetics is the unknown
additive effects of combining different products.
Try making your own beauty products. Sierra Club Canada has a list
of suggestions for homemade beauty products on our website.
Sierra Club Canada Foundation is introducing the next
generation of Canadian women to the practice of using non-toxic, healthy and organic cosmetics. In order to avoid toxic
cosmetics and personal care products it is essential to read the ingredients label and understand what’s in it before you buy it. Sierra Club Canada has compiled a list of twenty toxic synthetic chemicals to avoid when buying products.
Sierra Club Canada’s Toxic Twenty
Amines (diethanol-, triethanol-, monoethonal-) – Found in mascara, soap, sunscreen, shampoo. Irritation of the lungs,
toxic to immune system, carcinogenic, hormone disruptor.
Benzoyl peroxide – Found in acne creams, soaps, cleansers, shaving creams. Potential carcinogen, hormone disrupter;
bioaccumulates in the environment.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) – Found in concealer, mascara, cleansers, shampoos,
toners, others. Disrupt immune system; possible carcinogen.
Coal Tar (labelled C.I or Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, Phenylenediamine) – Found in shampoo, make-up, other personal care products. Carcinogenic, may be contaminated
with heavy metals.
Formaldehyde – Found in hair dye, styling gels, facial creams, nail polish, shampoo. Can trigger eczema; irritate lungs, skin;
carcinogen.
Formaldehye releasing agents (DMDM hydantoin, bronopol, Diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quarternium -15) – Found in many cosmetics. Releases
formaldehyde (see above).
Fragrance – Found in almost all personal care products, even those labelled unscented. Generic term, may include allergens,
pthalates, neurotoxins.
Glycol (propylene-, butylene) – Found in deodorants, moisturizer, lipstick. Eye and throat irritation, developmental problems, reduced red blood cells and hemoglobin, and
metabolic acidosis (in high concentrations).
Hydroquinone – Found in hair dye, skin lightening products, also as a contaminant in skin cleansers, facial moisturizers and hair conditioners. Carcinogen, immunotoxicant, developmental and
reproductive toxicant.
Isopropyl Palmitate – Found in lipstick, moisturizers. Skin, eye,
lung irritation with repeated use.
Oxybenzone – Found in sunscreen. It absorbs into skin and may remain in the body; may cause photoallergenic reactions. May
cause endocrine disruption, bioaccumulation.
Parabens (Methyl,propyl, butyl, ethyl etc.) – Found in skin lotion, conditioners, foundation deodorants. Hormone disruptor with
links to breast cancer.
Petrolatum – Found in skin care products. Carcinogenic.
Phthalates (DBP or DEHP) - Hair spray, nail polish, May change
hormone levels, during pregnancy may cause harm to fetus.
Continued ...
COSMETICS CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH