Now let’s dig a little bit deeper into why we chose these ten chemicals. We'll talk about half of them today—what they can do to your skin and your health, and how to avoid them.
Throughout this read, you’ll find links to our blog, where you can read more about any of the topics that interest you. Click away!
1. Parabens
Parabens are a group of chemicals that have earned their notorious reputation in the skin care industry, which is why you will now see many products declaring themselves “paraben free.” A brief history:
- 1920's: Pharmaceutical companies begin using a group of chemicals referred to collectively as ‘parabens’ to preserve products. Shortly thereafter, they are used to preserve food products as well.
- 1981: The FDA reports that parabens are used in over 13,200 formulations on the market.
- 1998: A study published in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology reveals that some parabens are estrogenic, meaning they compete with estrogen for binding sites in the body, potentially affecting hormonal balance.
- 2002: The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology reports on estrogenic effects of parabens, noting the inhibition of certain estrogen receptors in the presence of high concentrations of parabens.
- 2004: The Journal of Applied Toxicology publishes a study that detected parabens in 19 or 20 human breast tumors sampled.
Beyond Skin Care
Parabens are commonly used to suppress microbial growth in products like shampoo, conditioner, perfume, toothpaste, soaps, and many other hygiene and personal care products. It’s more than just topical products, though. They're in food products as well.
A quotation from the 1998 study reads: “The average daily intake of parabens in food is estimated to be 1–16 mg/kg for infants and 4–6 mg/kg for persons aged 2 years or older.”
There are many sources through which parabens can (and are) making their way into our body chemistry. The good news is that you can eliminate or at least reduce your paraben exposure from food by sticking to a whole foods diet. Choose organic produce, dried beans and grains, and nuts and seeds without additional flavoring. If you can, avoid food in boxes and cans.
On the label, look for:
Parabens are commonly used to suppress microbial growth in products like shampoo, conditioner, perfume, toothpaste, soaps, and many other hygiene and personal care products. It’s more than just topical products, though. They're in food products as well.
A quotation from the 1998 study reads: “The average daily intake of parabens in food is estimated to be 1–16 mg/kg for infants and 4–6 mg/kg for persons aged 2 years or older.”
There are many sources through which parabens can (and are) making their way into our body chemistry. The good news is that you can eliminate or at least reduce your paraben exposure from food by sticking to a whole foods diet. Choose organic produce, dried beans and grains, and nuts and seeds without additional flavoring. If you can, avoid food in boxes and cans.
On the label, look for:
- methylparaben
- ethylparaben
- propylparaben
- butylparaben
Phenoxyethanol: Not a Good Alternative
Since parabens have made a bad name for themselves, many companies are now using phenoxyethanol to preserve their products instead. It’s supposedly a safer alternative, but several studies have already shown it to be toxic, even in moderate concentrations. The effects include:
Since parabens have made a bad name for themselves, many companies are now using phenoxyethanol to preserve their products instead. It’s supposedly a safer alternative, but several studies have already shown it to be toxic, even in moderate concentrations. The effects include:
- Reproductive and developmental complications.
- Contact dermatitis (skin irritation).
- Damage to the brain and nervous system.
Japan recently banned the use of phenoxyethanol in all cosmetics, while most other countries have limited its use to 1% concentration.
What’s a Guy or Gal to Do?
There are several natural preservatives out there! We use aspen bark extract to preserve our products, and bottle them in miron glass to help keep them fresher, longer.
It’s so amazing when you figure out that instead of endocrine disruption, brain damage, and reproductive complications, you can use natural tree bark and dark glass to keep your products fresh. Of course, this doesn’t give them the same shelf life as products that use synthetic preservatives, but we think that’s ok.
2. Phthalates
In your skin care guide, we told you that pthalates are often not listed on the label. This is because when companies list 'fragrance' on their label, they don’t actually have to tell you what the ingredients in that fragrance are. It’s proprietary information.
So the best way to avoid this harmful group of chemicals is to avoid products with 'fragrance' on the label altogether.
Which Products Contain Phthalates?
There is a wide range of products containing phthalates including your everyday body lotion, deodorant, nail polish, and scented lip balm, just to name a few.
Copy Cats
A study by the University of Maryland reported that exposure to phthalates could cause reproductive abnormalities and decreased production of testosterone in males, as well as decreasing male fertility.
Other studies show a link between phthalates and premature delivery and endometriosis in women.
These effects may be due to their ability to mimic human hormones.
Better than Fragrance
There’s no reason to buy products that list 'fragrance' on the ingredient label. Why? Because nature provides so many things that smell lovely!
Look for products that use natural essential oils to make them smell amazing. Not only do you get a beautiful scent, but essential oils also have aromatherapeutic benefits. One example is sandalwood oil, which has been proven to promote cell turnover by binding to scent receptors that exist on your skin!
Click Here to Read More about Sandalwood Oil’s Healing Effects
3. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is most often prescribed to clear up acne. It clears up these breakouts by killing bacteria on the skin and reducing oil production.
What's bad about this? Your skin uses this oil (and some of the bacteria) to function properly, so using benzoyl peroxide long term it is extremely drying and damaging to most skin types.
It works essentially like a bleach. In fact, if you get a lot of it on your towels or clothes, you might notice that they change color. Pretty crazy!
The pH of your skin should be between 4.5-5.5, but those who use benzoyl peroxide will develop a more alkaline complexion. Once you stop using benzoyl peroxide, your skin will naturally go back to being more acidic. This is why people who stop using products like Proactive will often have skin issues (like breakouts) once they stop using it. This is what we refer to as skin detox.
And like we mentioned in the guide, benzoyl peroxide is linked to the promotion of tumors, is toxic when inhaled, and is a known eye and respiratory irritant.
Battle Breakouts Naturally
You don’t need harsh ingredients like benzoyl peroxide to keep your breakouts at bay. Here are a couple natural ingredients that help battle acne and inflammation:
What’s a Guy or Gal to Do?
There are several natural preservatives out there! We use aspen bark extract to preserve our products, and bottle them in miron glass to help keep them fresher, longer.
It’s so amazing when you figure out that instead of endocrine disruption, brain damage, and reproductive complications, you can use natural tree bark and dark glass to keep your products fresh. Of course, this doesn’t give them the same shelf life as products that use synthetic preservatives, but we think that’s ok.
2. Phthalates
In your skin care guide, we told you that pthalates are often not listed on the label. This is because when companies list 'fragrance' on their label, they don’t actually have to tell you what the ingredients in that fragrance are. It’s proprietary information.
So the best way to avoid this harmful group of chemicals is to avoid products with 'fragrance' on the label altogether.
Which Products Contain Phthalates?
There is a wide range of products containing phthalates including your everyday body lotion, deodorant, nail polish, and scented lip balm, just to name a few.
Copy Cats
A study by the University of Maryland reported that exposure to phthalates could cause reproductive abnormalities and decreased production of testosterone in males, as well as decreasing male fertility.
Other studies show a link between phthalates and premature delivery and endometriosis in women.
These effects may be due to their ability to mimic human hormones.
Better than Fragrance
There’s no reason to buy products that list 'fragrance' on the ingredient label. Why? Because nature provides so many things that smell lovely!
Look for products that use natural essential oils to make them smell amazing. Not only do you get a beautiful scent, but essential oils also have aromatherapeutic benefits. One example is sandalwood oil, which has been proven to promote cell turnover by binding to scent receptors that exist on your skin!
Click Here to Read More about Sandalwood Oil’s Healing Effects
3. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is most often prescribed to clear up acne. It clears up these breakouts by killing bacteria on the skin and reducing oil production.
What's bad about this? Your skin uses this oil (and some of the bacteria) to function properly, so using benzoyl peroxide long term it is extremely drying and damaging to most skin types.
It works essentially like a bleach. In fact, if you get a lot of it on your towels or clothes, you might notice that they change color. Pretty crazy!
The pH of your skin should be between 4.5-5.5, but those who use benzoyl peroxide will develop a more alkaline complexion. Once you stop using benzoyl peroxide, your skin will naturally go back to being more acidic. This is why people who stop using products like Proactive will often have skin issues (like breakouts) once they stop using it. This is what we refer to as skin detox.
And like we mentioned in the guide, benzoyl peroxide is linked to the promotion of tumors, is toxic when inhaled, and is a known eye and respiratory irritant.
Battle Breakouts Naturally
You don’t need harsh ingredients like benzoyl peroxide to keep your breakouts at bay. Here are a couple natural ingredients that help battle acne and inflammation:
- Neem: This plant is naturally antibacterial, so topical use can help control acne. It’s also anti-inflammatory, so while it helps prevent breakouts, it calms down the redness that results from them.
- White Willow Bark: Bark from white willow trees is a natural source of salicylic acid, an ingredient you’ve probably seen on lots of products that target acne breakouts. This natural source of salicylic acid is much gentler and will not result in the burning, peeling, and sensitivity that synthetic salicylic acid can cause. Willow bark extract naturally exfoliates skin and clears pores to help reduce breakouts.
- Rosemary: This herb is great for the skin in a lot of different ways! Because it is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial, rosemary is a wonderful ingredient for preventing acne. Our favorite way to use it is as a hydrosol.
4. Triclosan
Triclosan has been on our ingredient watch list since 2011. In 2014, we revisited the topic again after the FDA announced that it was reviewing the safety of this ingredient, most often found in hand sanitizers.
Studies Show
Triclosan has been on our ingredient watch list since 2011. In 2014, we revisited the topic again after the FDA announced that it was reviewing the safety of this ingredient, most often found in hand sanitizers.
Studies Show
- A 2006 study published in Aquatic Toxicology showed that triclosan affects the gene expression of hormones related to thyroid production in bullfrogs.
- Similarly, a 2007 study showed that triclosan interfered with the expression of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone.
- Again, a 2008 study of wistar rats showed that exposure to triclosan affected their thyroid hormones.
Of course, humans are different from rats and bullfrogs, but it’s definitely something to think about.
Another thing to think about is whether we constantly want to be removing bacteria from our hands. As we’ve learned in the nutrition world, bacteria is beneficial to our health—necessary actually. Constantly removing bacteria from our bodies using antibiotics, hand sanitizers, etc. is not a health-promoting habit.
For more info, check out this post: 7 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Hand Sanitizers (And What to Use Instead)
5. Resorcinol
Now, we don’t want to make you feel bad about your hair care routine, but we do want to tell you about this harmful ingredient found commonly in hair dyes.
Classified as a hazardous, combustible chemical, inhalation of resorcinol can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and unconsciousness. On your skin, it causes redness and pain. It’s also bad for the environment, as it dissolves easily and can infiltrate waterways, posing health risks to fish and other aquatic life.
It gets worse. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), resorcinol was shown to affect the nervous system, adrenal gland, and thyroid function. This ingredient was shown to be highly toxic both orally and topically. That’s not good news for us.
What’s interesting about this chemical is that people seem to become more sensitive to it over time, so you might color your hair regularly for some years and then at some point start reacting negatively to it.
We understand the desire to color your hair. Having shiny, vibrant hair color can make you feel more beautiful and confident. Here are a few natural ways to achieve the hair color you want:
Another thing to think about is whether we constantly want to be removing bacteria from our hands. As we’ve learned in the nutrition world, bacteria is beneficial to our health—necessary actually. Constantly removing bacteria from our bodies using antibiotics, hand sanitizers, etc. is not a health-promoting habit.
For more info, check out this post: 7 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Hand Sanitizers (And What to Use Instead)
5. Resorcinol
Now, we don’t want to make you feel bad about your hair care routine, but we do want to tell you about this harmful ingredient found commonly in hair dyes.
Classified as a hazardous, combustible chemical, inhalation of resorcinol can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and unconsciousness. On your skin, it causes redness and pain. It’s also bad for the environment, as it dissolves easily and can infiltrate waterways, posing health risks to fish and other aquatic life.
It gets worse. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), resorcinol was shown to affect the nervous system, adrenal gland, and thyroid function. This ingredient was shown to be highly toxic both orally and topically. That’s not good news for us.
What’s interesting about this chemical is that people seem to become more sensitive to it over time, so you might color your hair regularly for some years and then at some point start reacting negatively to it.
We understand the desire to color your hair. Having shiny, vibrant hair color can make you feel more beautiful and confident. Here are a few natural ways to achieve the hair color you want:
- Henna - for brown and red shades.
- Black Walnut powder - to darken.
- Herbal hair rinses can improve color gradually over time. Brew a strong chamomile tea for blondes and black tea for dark hair colors. After rinsing out your conditioner, finish by rinsing with your herbal hair rinse and leaving it in.
Whether you use natural hair dying techniques or decide to embrace your hair color as it changes over time, you can avoid serious health risks by not using products with resorcinol.
Annmarie Gianni
Annmarie Gianni
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