Cosmetics

Harmful Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products and Cosmetics
Watch out for these potentially damaging ingredients that are found in competitor products.

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DEA (diethanolamine) is a known carcinogen found in many personal care products.
Propylene Glycol -Called a humectant in cosmetics it is really industrial antifreeze and the major ingredient in brake and hydraulic fluid. Tests show it can be a strong skin irritant. MSDS on Propylene Glycol warns to avoid skin contact as it is systemic and can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

(Check the packaging your cosmetics came in for this ingredient) (Check Propylene Glycol in your dictionary)

A colorless, volatile, flammable liquid produced by the fermentation of yeast and carbohydrates. Alcohol is used frequently as a solvent and is also found in beverages and medicine. As an ingredient in ingestible products, alcohol may cause body tissues to be more vulnerable to carcinogens. Mouthwashes with an alcohol content of 25 percent or more have been implicated in mouth, tongue, and throat cancers.

An organic acid produced by anaerobic respiration. Skin care products containing AHA exfoliate not only dead skin cells, but the skin's protective barrier as well. Longterm skin damage may result from its use.

A metallic element used extensively in the manufacture of aircraft components, prosthetic devices, and as an ingredient in antiperspirants, antacids, and antiseptics. Aluminum has been linked to Alzhemier's Disease.

Made from animal fat and lye. May let bacteria feed and grow in it. May corrode the skin and dry it out.

Comes from crude oil (petroleum) used in industry as metal cutting fluid. May suffocate the skin by forming an oil film. Healthy skin needs oxygen, and to release carbon dioxide it should not be inhibited. Holding to large amounts of moisture in the skin can flood the biology and may result in immature, unhealthy, sensitive skin that dries out easily.

(Carcinogenic nitrates can form in the manufacturing of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or by its inter reaction with other nitrogen bearing ingredients within a formulation utilizing this ingredient).
Potentially, SLS / SLES is perhaps the most harmful ingredient in personal-care products. SLS /SLES is used in testing labs as the standard ingredient to irritate skin. Industrial uses of SLS / SLES include: garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and car wash soaps only to name a few. Studies show its danger potential to be great when used in personal-care products.

MSDS on SLS warns to avoid skin contact as it is systemic and can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

Studies indicate that SLS / SLES is systemic, can penetrate and be retained in the eye, brain, heart, liver etc., with potentially harmful long-term effects. It could retard healing, cause cataracts in adults and can keep children's eyes from developing properly.

Other research has shown that SLS and SLES may cause potentially carcinogenic nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleanser by reacting with commonly used ingredients found in many products. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from just one shampooing. SLES is the alcohol form (ETHOXYLATED) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating but may cause more drying. Both SLS and SLES can enter the blood stream. They are used in personal-care products because they are cheap. A small amount generates a large amount of foam and when salt is added it thickens to give the illusion of being thick and concentrated.

Draws moisture from inside the skin and holds it on the surface for a better feel. Dries skin from the inside out. Although potentially harmful in skin care products, when applied inside the moist cavity of the mouth, its properties as a humectant are potentially beneficial. Glycerin helps dental products retain moisutre, as well as improve product consistency and spreadability - without negative effects.

Derived from animal skins and ground up chicken feet. Both of these ingredients form films that may suffocate and over moisturize the skin.

Many of the hypedingredients pro collagen, collagen, elastin, cross-linked elastin and hyaluronic acids found in most cosmetic brands cannot penetrate the skin because of high-molecular weight and are of little benefit. Other virtually useless ingredients are insoluble, oil-based Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate), Placental Extracts and Royal Bee Jelly.

Have you ever wondered what goes into bubble bath? One day, whilst lying in the bath with nothing in particular to do I started pondering over what bubble bath is. I decided to read the label. The label described the bubble bath as "Bath will gently cleanse your skin, helping to leave it feeling soft and smooth." Sounds good! I went on to read the ingredients; Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Glycol Stearate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Formaldehyde, Polyquaternium-7, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide. Quite a cocktail of chemicals. And then my warning sensors clicked on, below the ingredients was a boldly printed warning advising to" Avoid getting into eyes." If this substance is so great for the skin, why should it be so harmful to the eyes? I thought I'd investigate.

Apart from Aqua, (by which they mean water) the next most prolific ingredient is sodium laureth sulphate, although the manufacturer of this particular brand insists on using the American spelling. Sodium laureth sulphate is a surfactant. That is a substance that can reduce the surface tension of a liquid and thus allow it to foam or penetrate solids. It is also an industrial grade detergent, or degreaser. Like all detergents sodium laureth sulphate attacks grease, thereby helping to clean the skin. However, the human skin is a complex organ and contains glands which deliberately secrete grease or oil onto the skin to help keep it waterproof, supple and, to quote, "soft and smooth." Sodium laureth sulphate strips the natural oil from the skin leaving it rough and dry. That's not all sodium laureth sulphate does. Sodium laureth sulphate is a powerful detergent, garages use it to clean engine oil from their floors, it is also very corrosive. Perhaps that is why my bubble bath advises me to "avoid getting into eyes," well maybe. Or perhaps it's because sodium laureth sulphate attacks the formation of essential proteins in the the eyes leading to cataracts in adults and preventing children's eyes from forming properly. Further investigation reveals that sodium laureth sulphate is so harmful to the skin that it is used in medical laboratories to damage the skin before healing agents can be tested!

Having decided in future to stick to bath salts, I read the ingredients on my bath salts. No sodium laureth sulphate, but instead they contained something called sodium lauryl sulphate. Sodium lauryl sulphate is sodium laureth sulphate chemically combined with ethylene oxide to form larger molecules. Why on earth should anyone be concerned about the size of the molecules? Well, one reason is because small molecules, such as those of sodium laureth sulphate can pass through skin into the body where they enter the blood stream and build up in the internal organs - especially the brain and kidneys. Bearing in mind what sodium laureth sulphate does to the comparatively tough skin, I hate to think what it can do to the gentle internal organs.

Research in America at the Georgia University medical centre indicates that sodium laureth sulphate and sodium lauryl sulphate can both react with other chemicals found in cosmetics to form nitrosamines and 1,4 dioxine, which are both known carcinogens. For this reason the American Food and Drug Agency classifies both sodium laureth sulphate and sodium lauryl sulphate as drugs when used in cosmetics.

But it is not just in bubble bath that one finds chemicals harmful to the skin. They are also in toothpaste, shampoo, shaving creme and cleansers. In trying to find products that do not contain these harmful chemicals I visited supermarkets, chemists and health food shops. Surprisingly almost all cleansers include either sodium laureth sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate, including the own brands of a well known health food shop and a certain wannabe ecologically friendly high street store. However, it is possible to find alternatives, you just need to check the ingredients label carefully. It is worth trying an alternative if you suffer from eczema, as I do, rather than simply washing in something which strips the skin and then using vegetable oil in the form of glycerine to moisturise it, or thinking that it is caused by some other pathological disorder.

Yes. Although most cosmetic use is entirely safe, some cosmetics can cause red, irritated eyes and eyelids. They can produce stinging, burning, itching and tearing. Also, there are cosmetics with ingredients that can damage contact lenses. And some cosmetics, including some "hypoallergenic" ones, can cause allergic reactions or irritation in sensitive people. Accidents in applying makeup, particularly mascara, have caused serious eye infections and injury. People with dry eyes or oily lids have an increased risk of cosmetics related eye problems.

The application and removal of cosmetic products can also cause the transmission of microorganisms and lens damage. Most Women wearing flexible wear or disposable lenses are applying and removing their makeup with contact lenses in their eyes. Some prefer waterproof mascara because they remain on the eyelashes longer and do not smear as readily. This can be terribly harmful if some of that waterproof Mascara finds a way into the tear film.
The preferred mascara is a water-soluble formulation with no fibers, and easily removed with a non-oil remover baby shampoo. Also, mascara should be applied away from the lash follicle.

The term "hypoallergenic" has caused a lot of confusion. It should mean that the product has been proven to be less irritating than other products and contains no substances known to be severe allergens.

According to a 1977 pamphlet published by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, entitled "We Want You To Know About Cosmetics: ", the U.S. court of appeals for the district of Columbia ruled that the FDA's regulation defining hypoallergenic was invalid. This means that there is now no regulation specifically defining the use of hypoallergenic or similar terms. In addition, the basic ingredients in hypoallergenic cosmetics usually are the same as those used in other cosmetics sold for the same purposes.

As it is generally use, hypoallergenic cosmetics are non-irritating rather than non-allergy products. In addition, what produces irritation or allergy in one person may not produce it in another. Despite this, hypoallergenic products are generally preferred to products that aren't hypoallergenic. dd

What about "natural", "Dermatology tested", "allergy-tested", or "new and improved"?

An example of intentionally deceptive terminology used in labeling are the words "natural" and "organic," which tell the you nothing about whether the product will irritate the skin or provoke an allergic reaction. Many "natural" ingredients, such as cocoa butter, are allergens omitted from "hypoallergenic" brands of cosmetics. According to the FDA, an "allergy-tested" cosmetic is one that has been tested to see if it could cause an allergic reaction. However, it does not indicated who did the testing, what subject (rabbits, mice, people), or even if the cosmetic passed the test. "Dermatology tested" means that the cosmetic was give out in samples to dermatologists for use by their patients, instructed to report any adverse reactions back to their doctors. There are no guidelines regarding the grounds or scope of testing, let alone the results.
Take a look and learn to use it

Any eye makeup (or eye makeup remover) that you use should be oil-free, Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic.

Mascara: To make the eyelashes look fuller, many mascaras contain rayon or nylon fibers. As the fibers dry out on your lashes, they can flake off and fall into the eye. If a contact lens wearer uses heavy mascara and the contact lenses are not completely cleaned off after wearing, the lenses can become damaged to the point where they must be replaced. Use a water-based mascara that is oil and fragrance-free. Try to find one that is fiber-free, and apply it to the tips of the lashes only. Be careful when applying mascara. Damage to the eye from mascara's wands and brushes can lead to serious infections.

Eyeliner: When applying eyeliner use only a non-wood clenched pencil. Use water-based eyeliner. Never apply eyeliner inside the lid margin . Eyeliner can also be an irritant. If not properly used, the orifices of the meibomian glands (Oil glands within eye lid tissue) may become obstructed, leading to irritation and/or lid infection.
Remember to replace The eyeliner at least every ninety days.

Eye shadow: Avoid frosted shadows. Do not use excessive amounts of shadow, which may flake off the lid into the eye. Use pressed powders only.

False eyelashes: Elude at all the times. their adhesive(glue) is difficult to remove, can irritate the eye and destroy contact lenses.

Eye makeup removers: Take off your contact lenses before removing your makeup. Choose only oil-free and fragrance-free removers. Use a fiber-free pad to take off makeup. (A cotton ball has fibers that can get into the eye and cause irritation.) Use water and additive-free soap for makeup removal.
If you use, extended wear contact lenses and must remove makeup with the lenses in place, wipe very gently from the nose outward, being careful not to dislodge the contact lens. Try to keep debris from makeup out of your eye. If any gets in and the eye becomes irritated, remove the lens. Be sure to clean and disinfect the lens before putting it back on your eye.

Good contact lens hygiene requires that you take some care with all soaps and lotions, Here are a few suggestions to help keep your contact lens wear trouble free.

Soaps: Before handling contact lenses, always wash your hands with an additive free soap. Try to use a pure soap. Avoid soaps that have moisturizers or antibacterial agents. Most liquid "pump" soaps have lanolin to make them flow freely, it can damage your contact lenses. Bar soap or optical soap is preferred. After washing your hands, dry them thoroughly with a lint-free towel.

Lotions: Use hand lotion only after putting on your contact lenses. If possible, choose lanolin-free and fragrance-free products. Many lotions-especially the "intensive care" kind-leave a residue on your hands even after washing. Avoid these lotions. Take special care when applying moisturizers, especially on and around the eyelids. Use lanolin-free products. Extended wear lens users should take particular care to see that moisturizers don't get into the eye or onto the edges of the lids.

Nail polish and remover: Put on your contact lenses before using nail care products. Put on your contact lenses before using nail care products. Put on your contact lenses before using nail care products. Try to stay away from products that contain Acetone. Acetone, a common ingredient in nail care products, can destroy contact lenses. Also, many ingredients in nail care products cannot be removed by simply washing the hands.

Hair care products: Avoid using any product that contains coal tar. (Coal tar is harmful to the eyes.)
Aerosol hair sprays can damage contact lenses. Try to avoid the pump, mousse, or gel product. If hairspray is used, a pump spray is better than an aerosol can. Keep your eyes closed until the mist clears. If any hairspray gets in your eye while using contact lenses, immediately remove the lenses. Clean, rinse and disinfect the lens and putt them back on your eye. Be advised not to wear contact lenses to the beauty salon, the presence of hair spray and chemicals for hair dyes, permanents, or other preparations could cause contamination as well as severe eye irritation. This applies to home permanents and dyes as well.
Shampoo and condition your hair either before putting on your lenses or after taking them off. Be sure to wash your hands to get rid of any conditioner. Extended wear lens users should keep their eyes shut while washing and conditioning their hair.
Face products for men: Keep shaving cream, after-shave and cologne out of the eyes and your hands. These products contain alcohol and can cause severe stinging to your eyes and destroy contact lenses. Be sure, after shaving, to wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses.

Once cosmetics are opened they can become contaminated with bacteria. Eye makeup, particularly mascara, is one of the highest contaminated. Eye injuries from contaminated mascara brushes have led to serious infections that caused people to lose sight. Remember most of the eye makeup in your collection does not have expiration day. Check them up! Preservatives in makeup don't last forever, and you don't know how long a it was sitting on the shelf before you bought it. Store makeup in a cool dry place, and replace open makeup every ninety days.
Their is some manufactures with 20/20 vision Fortunately, some major manufactures are taking note of the interest generated by consumer and some products have come out specially designed for contact lens wearers and appear safe on specific testing.
Yes, look for "Specially for contact lens wearers". It is out there and in many brands.
Women want to wear contacts without giving up cosmetics. With the availability of quality and specially formulated products there is no reason why you should not be proper educated on the availability and use of the cosmetics products. The time and expense that you have trying to solve red itchy eye or coated contact lens might be better spent in educating yourself on preventing these problems.