Green Your Beauty

Many of these have been compiled from the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database. Special thanks also is extended to Wise Geek for their insightful layman’s descriptions! I have used their rating system as a basis for determining the hazard level of ingredients. I will frequently add ingredients when I encounter something unknown in a product. I personally do not avoid all of the ingredients listed as moderate and severe, depending on what they are, and will most likely continue to review products containing some of the ingredients. In certain cases, the hazard depends on the product usage and how high of a percentage is included in the product. Even so, I have placed those ingredients on the higher end of the hazard scale to be on the safe side. I also feel that it depends on the product. Anything that sits on my skin is going to be my ultimate concern, since it allows the products to seep in and get into your body. Products such as face wash or shampoo get washed off relatively quickly so while it is good to stick to natural, it is of utmost importance in products that don’t get washed off right away. *Note: I am in no way, shape or form, and expert in biology or medicine but this is my best attempt to easily describe what some of these unknown ingredients are based on what I have read. If you would like to contribute a more accurate definition please comment or email me!

LOW HAZARD:

Glycerin: Rated a 2 on EWG. It’s pure chemical form is called glycerol indicating that it is a type of alcohol. It’s impure commercial form is referred to as glycerin. It may be derived from animal or vegetable fat and is used to help with smoothness or lubrication in cosmetics and soaps. For those of you that are veggies, you may want to inquire with companies listing this ingredient to make sure that it is vegetable derived. Glycerin is said to have many useful benefits, and is known as a humectant, meaning it pulls moisture to the skin. It is often used in homemade soaps and good for people with sensitive skin. It is not something I personally avoid, but it appears to be less beneficial, and possibly drying in the pure/concentrated form, so I would recommend avoiding glycerol and only looking for glycerin.

Polysorbate 80: Rated a 2 on EWG. It works as an emulsifier, (helps hold ingredients together) or fragrance and may be linked to developmental/reproductive/organ/neuro toxicity and cancer.

Sodium Benzoate:Rated a 2 on EWG. It is a sodium salt of benzoic acid and acts as a preservative or masking fragrance. It may be linked to cancer, and organ/neuro/reproductive-toxicity, depending on the dose.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Rated a 3 on EWG. It is an inexpensive foaming surfactant chemical used in soaps,shampoos, etc. It may be linked to irritation, cancer, toxicity, neurotoxicity, and other possible health problems. It sometimes may be disguised as being natural in origin. I avoid any and all sulfates, and have found that my skin and scalp are way less dry and irritated.

Titanium Dioxide: Rated a 1-3 on EWG. It comes from is used as a sunscreen agent and can also be used as a dye and may be called titanium white, pigment white(6), or CI77891. EWG reports that it is more of a threat when inhaled. Don’t inhale your sunscreen, folks! 

Moderate Hazard:

Alumina: Aluminum Oxide- 6 Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards

Benzyl Alcohol: 6 – moderate neurotoxicity, cancer

Cetrimonium Bromide: 4/5 is a cationic (possessing a positive electrical charge) conditioning agent and antiseptic. Has been linked to developmental, neuro, and organ toxicity.

Citric Acid: It is rated a low to moderate 1-3 on EWG.  It may be linked to irritation and organ system toxicity (non-reproductive.

Dimethicone: It is rated a low to moderate 2-3 on EWG. It is a polymer that is based on silicone. Dimethicone is used as an anti-foaming agent, a conditioning agent that helps make it easier to comb your hair, and skin protectant/moisturizer. Dimethicone may be linked to organ system toxicity and allergic reactions.

Glycolic Acid : 4 Gylcolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid: developmental/reproductive toxicity

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate:  4 Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

Octinoxate : 5 Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes

Peg-12 Dimethicone: Rated a 4-6: It is a polyethylene glycol that comes from dimethicone. It is a hair/skin conditioning agent and is part of the silicone class. It may be linked to skin and organ toxicity, should not be used on damaged skin,

PEG-6 Isostearate: Rated a 4-6 on EWG: harmful impurities/toxin

Phenoxyethanol: Rated a 4 on EGW.  It is a preservative derived from aromatic either alcohol and can also be used in fragrances. It may be linked to irritation, organ toxicity, allergies, and cancer. Many “natural” products have been using it as preservative replacement for parabens. One option is not to use it and allow products to have a shorter shelf life, (which is not as profitable).

Propylene Glycol: Rated a 4 on EWG. It is reported to be a type of chemically produced organic compound/double alcohol. It can be used as a moisturizer in creams or as a chemical carrier in fragrances. When taken orally it’s not a concern, but may cause a lot of other issues when applied to the skin, even in low doses. It is linked to irritation, and may be linked to cancer, reproductive and neuro toxicity.

SD Alcohol 38: 4 ALCOHOL (SDA 38B LAVENDER)cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), multiple, additive exposure sources, enhanced skin absorption

Tocopheryl Acetate: Rated a 4 on EWG. This is used as a conditioning agent/fragrance. It may be linked to cancer, skin toxicity/allergies, and organ toxicity, (in moderate doses).

High Hazard

Oxybenzone 9:  Found in sunscreens. Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes.

Parabens: 6 (This is a moderate hazard on Skin Deep but I have listed it as a high hazard based on information I have read on other sites). Also goes by the following names: methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. Less common parabens include isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts.Parabens are used as inexpensive preservatives. More natural products will not use them and hence tend to have shorter shelf lives. Some of the dangers of parabens include: cancer risk, reproductive/developmental toxicity, endrocrine disruption, and the list goes on. Butylparaben and propylparaben are apparently the worst offenders. I for one will not use any products with paraben in the label and strongly urge you to do the same.

PEG-20 Stearate: 4-7 (depending on content percentage) -  made by combining oils with stearic acid , cancer/irritation

Salicylic Acid:– 7 high hazard neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, penetration enchancer, BENZOIC ACID, 2-HYDROXY-; O-CARBOXYPHENOL; 2-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID; O-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID; PHENOL-2-CARBOXYLIC ACID; 2-HYDROXY- BENZOIC ACID; BENZOIC ACID, 2HYDROXY; 2-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID; BENZOIC ACID, 2-HYDROXY-

Silica: 1-7 Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes (depends on percentage).

You can also browse the EWG website for more information:

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/whatnottobuy/