If you’re like me, you like sweet smelling lotions and perfume to moisturize and leave you smelling great.  Vanilla and coconut happen to be my favorite and until recently I didn’t realize the hidden dangers in lotions like these. The problem is that aside from the base ingredients like shea butter and aloe which are natural and great for your skin, manufacturers put in many chemical additives as preservatives but they have been proven to be toxic and many cancer causing. When looking at your body and face lotion, shampoo/conditioner/lip balm and even make-up, here are common ingredients you need to avoid:.

  1. Parabens: are used as a preservative and started being used in the 1950′s to increase shelf life. The problem is when parabens break down into formeldahyde which is a known cancer causing ingredient.  There are different types of names to describe parabens and include Methylparaben, Propylparaben, IIsoparaben or Butylparaben. The other danger with parabens is they mimic estrogen and disrupt the body’s hormonal system and have been linked to breast cancer, early puberty and decreased sperm levels.
  2. Propylene Glycol: is used to make antifreeze and de-icing solutions for airplanes but is also used in food and cosmetics to maintain moisture levels and has been approved by the FDA as safe in cosmetics and food. The problem is that MSDS sheets say to avoid skin exposure as Propylene Glycol is a skin irratent and can cause liver and kidney abnormalities
  3. Mineral Oil: is a derivative of petroleum or crude extract that causes a plastic like layer on the skin preventing the skin from being able to breath and absorb moisture and prevents the release of toxins. The inability to release toxins results in blocked pores, spots, acne & other skin disorders. Slows down skin function & cell development & therefore leads to premature ageing of skin.
  4. Dea – Diethanolamine, Mea – Monoethanolamine, Tea – Triethanolamine : Found in cosmetics hair & skincare, bubble bath, shower gel, soap & cleansers. Dea is highly carcinogenic, especially to kidney and liver. The Dea family are hormone disrupting chemicals and can cause allergic reactions, irritate the eyes and dry the hair and skin.

So what should you be looking for in cosmetics and skin care….look for oils that are also used for cooking such as almond oil, olive oil, aloe and shea butter.