It was impossible not to start checking labels after reading a recent Canadian study that exposed hazardous levels of toxins in our daily cosmetics.

I’ve always leaned towards “hypo allergenic” and “natural” products – absolutely willing to pay a little (or a lot) more for something I thought was healthy. After reading label after label (I couldn’t stop) – and finding them chalk full of toxins – my heart sank. All this time I’d been washing, moisturizing, cleansing and conditioning with the likes of parabens, sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate, PEGs, BHAs, petrolatums, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, coal tar dyes and others – all known carcinogens and/or hormone disruptors, all legal and unregulated. It was absolutely mortifying. On top of that, I was poisoning myself with deodorant containing aluminium – a heavy metal that has been linked in studies to a range of serious health issues, including Alzheimer’s, brain disorders, and breast cancer, to name just a few.

I was disappointed – especially in some of my favourite brands: Origins and Aveeno, I’m looking at you. I trusted you and what I suppose is just another branding angle: ‘naturally safe’. Shame on me for not having done my homework. Shame on you for knowingly plugging your products with chemicals that cause outrageous health concequences. Here’s some of what was lurking in my bathroom:

1. Stuhr Conditioner Reconstructive Cream:
contains Methylparaben, Ethylparaben and Propylparaben (parabens interfere with hormone function)

2. Origins Modern Friction – Nature’s gentle dermabrasion (a favourite):
contains Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES may cause cancer)

3. Biotherm Eau D’Energie body cream:
contains Parfum, Petrolatum, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 15985 (“Parfum” does not by industry standard need to be further defined, but can in fact be composed of 1 or more of about 5000 chemicals – none of which are regulated, some of which are linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Petrolatum can be contaminated with cancer causing impurities. Sodium Hydroxide is used to regulate pH and has been linked to cancer and organ system toxicity. CI followed by a 5 digit number – otherwise known as Coal Tar Dyes – may be contaminated with heavy metals toxic to the brain)

4. Johnson & Johnson’s Natusan naturally soft holiday skin:
contains PEGs, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum (PEGs can be contaminated with 1,4dioxane, which may cause cancer)

5. Addidas for Women 24 hour anti-perspirant:
contains Aluminium (which as mentioned, has been linked to Alzheimer’s, brain disorders, and breast cancer)

6. L’Oreal Elvital Anti-Breakage Shampoo:
contains Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Parfum (Propylene Glycol is a carcinogenic substance)

7. Sanex Body Lotion:
contains Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben (loaded with parabens – which may interfere with hormone function and is associated with breast cancer)

8. Sanex Hypo Allergenic 0% Soap and Colourants shower gel:
contains Sodium Laureth Sulphate and Parfum

9. Matas Mild Skintonic:
contains PEG, Parfum, CI/coal tar dyes, Methylparaben

10. Origins Active Charcoal Mask:
contains PEG, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben

11. Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask:
contains PEG, Butylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

12. Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizer:
contains Petrolatum

13. Dr. Scholl’s Pedicure Essentials:
contains Petrolatum, Methylparaben, Propylene Glycol

14-22 not shown – similar toxic ingredients

Mortification turned to anger. Where is the regulation? And why is the only true regulating body the cosmetic industry itself? That’s right – the cosmentic industry regulates itself – with little interference from government. If ingestion via the skin is still ingestion, then surely the cosmetics industry needs to be held up against the same level of control as the food industry (which while not precautionary in nature, is still better than nothing). But until we see more policy/action from government – all we can do to protect ourselves is do our homework, wade throught the labels and try to make some informed decisions.

That said – it’s been surprisingly difficult to find true healthy alternatives. A visit to my local health boutique this weekend opened my eyes to just how far reaching the problem is. In an effort to replace some of the worst offenders above, I was recommended product after product claiming to be “pure” and “back to nature” – many of which (while free of parabens and perfumes) contained sodium laureth sulfates or other top 12′s (see David Suzuki’s “Dirty Dozen” article below). Apparently 90% of all products that foam use SLS. So don’t blindly trust the health shop lady – she hasn’t done all of her research either. After much searching and squinty-eye label reading, I’ve managed to find a few good alternatives (who knew hippy deo could smell so good?) – which I’ll post about another day. In the meantime – if you know of any great safe products/cosmetics – I’d love to hear about them. Non-toxic make-up is proving hardest to find. And flouride-free, sodium lauryl sulfate-free toothpaste just doesn’t have the same tingle… but maybe that’s a good thing.

In the meantime friends, read the labels and be safe.

Get informed
Pink Ribbon Cosmetics
Pinkwashing: A term used to describe companies that position themselves as leaders in the fight against breast cancer while engaging in practices that may be contributing to rising rates of the disease.
Campaign for safe cosmetics
Are your cosmetics guilty of causing you bodily harm? (thank you David Suzuki)
“Dirty dozen” cosmetic chemicals to avoid
The story of cosmetics (video)
What’s Inside? That Counts: A survey of toxic ingredients in our cosmetics (PDF download from David Suzuki and the Queen of Green)

{New blog post listing health(ier) alternatives posted Dec 22nd, 2011 – available here}