If your Personal Care Products and cosmetics contain any of the following chemicals and toxins, you may like to reconsider whether you want to continue applying these personal care products to your skin, hair and body - and to your families.

Many people, even those who select organic foods to eat, choose skin care products and cosmetics that can serious damage their skin, hair and body.  I am not suggesting you intentionally apply toxins to your skin. You simply may not realize the extent to which many common personal care products and cosmetics contain suspect ingredients with unrecognizable or unpronounceable names. Do you ever put things onto your skin that you would not think of eating? I hope not... what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream and integrated into your body and skin tissues. A number of these potential toxins can wreak havoc on all your good health intentions.
Believe it or not, the following toxins and chemicals are NOT ALL the dangerous chemicals found in your everyday skin care, cosmetics and personal care products.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
This harsh detergent and emulsifier, petroleum derived, strips your skin and hair of  natural oils, increasing skin permeability and allowing absorption of other toxic chemicals into the dermis and bloodstream. This is a known
skin irritant, often causing skin rashes, skin and eye irritation and conditions like cataracts, blindness, organ damage, damage to your immune system, respiratory damage, headaches and vomiting. SLS is found in nearly any personal care product that lathers, including toothpastes, shampoos, body washes and skin moisturisers.
Formaldehyde
This highly toxic preservative causes skin rashes and has been linked to cancer, skin irritation and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, dermatitis, asthma, shortness of breath, nose bleeds, nausea and vomiting, chestpains and dizziness. Formaldehyde is used in cosmetics, nail polish, nail hardeners, mascara, soaps, shampoos,
many moisturising skin care creams, personal care products, bubble bath and deodorants. The following chemicals are derived from Formaldehyde and should also be avoided.
• Imidazolidinyl urea (can cause contact dermatitis)
• Diazolidinyl urea (can cause contact dermatitis)
• 2-bromo-2nitropane-1
• 3-diol
• DMDM hydantoin
• Quaternium 15

Isopropyl alcohol
This anti-foaming agent, petroleum derived, can damage hair and cause skin rashes. Toxic to the liver, kidney,
respiratory and gastro-intestinal systems. A teratogenic alsolinked to foetal and birth defects. This dangerous chemical is found in hair dye, skin care moisturisers, aftershaves, antifreeze, carpet cleaner and the list goes on.
Paraffin
From petroleum or tar, Paraffin is a non-renewable resource that has a negative impact on our environment. Your
skin initially feels smoother due to the surface layer Paraffin forms but your skin can not 'breathe' and is de-hydrated by any petroleum based personal care product. This starts a cycle of continued use to prevent the feeling of dryness, which the product is actually responsible for. Used in wax strips, skin care moisturisers, personal care products,  body oils etc.
Petrolatum (Petroleum jelly)
An incredibly cheap mineral oil derivative that will dry your skin out, strangely enough this is used in skin care products and lip balms specifically targeted at dry skin, mainly due to the coating left on the skin after use. Used in personal care products and found in skin care products recommended for nappy rash. Talk about self perpetuating personal care products!
Propylene glycol
This humectant is another petrochemical mix that can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, hives and eczema.
Also found in brake fluid and anti-freeze. Please avoid the chemicals below in your personal care products, they
are very similar.
• PEG (polyethylene glycol) (A by-product of PEG-stearate-20 that was used during WW1 as a toxic gas!)
• PPG (polypropylene glycol)

Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Parabens
A preservative used to extend shelf life of personal care products, Parabens can cause skin irritation, skin rashes and allergic reactions. These preservatives can interfere with the endocrine system, they contain properties known for oestrogen mimicking. Studies have connected paraben exposure and breast cancer.
Fragrances
A general term referring to as many as 200 synthetic fragrances used in personal care products and cosmetics,
none of which are required to be individually labelled. Often petroleum based, fragrances can cause dizziness,
skin rashes and pigmentation which is why some people have brown skin marks where they apply perfume. “Fragrance–free” products can contain chemicals to mask unpleasant smells.
DEA (diethanolamine) and MEA (monoethanolamine)
These chemicals are ‘amines’ (ammonia compounds) and can form cancer-causing nitrosamines when in contact with nitrates. Used as emulsifiers and foaming agents, they cause eye, hair and skin irritation and skin rashes and are toxic if absorbed for a long period of time. DEA is known to cause liver and kidney tumours in mice. DEA is still used in many products in Australia, despite international warnings. These chemical compounds cause allergic reactions, irritate eyes and dry the hair and skin. Any product with MEA or DEA listed individually or in combination with another ingredient (e.g. cocamide DEA) should be avoided in personal care products and cosmetics.
Methylisothiazolinnone
A preservative linked to allergic reactions and skin rashes.
Artificial Colours
FDC RED 4, FDC RED 1 or FOOD RED 1, should all be avoided. Banned in food but can still be used in personal care products, skin care and cosmetics. Known to cause urinary bladder polyps and deterioration of the adrenal glands.
Coal Tar
(FD & C) and (D & C) colours to be avoided. Derived from petroleum coal tars and linked to asthma, headaches,
nausea, fatigue, nervousness and lack of concentration. Coal Tars are confirmed human carcinogens and skin
irritants. They are thought to increase risk of tumour growth. Used in anti-dandruff shampoos and for colouring
cosmetics.
TEA (Triethanolamine)
Emulsifier, skin irritant and known mutagen, which causes changes in cellular DNA. TEA is also a contact allergencausing eczema and skin rashes. Used in skin care products and to coat non-organically grown fruit and
vegetables.
Tallow
Watch out vegetarians!! Made from boiled sheep organs, this is used in lipsticks, soaps and shaving cream...
Fluoride
Used in toothpaste.This industrial waste product can reduce the risk of dental cavities, it has however been
linked with cancer, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, birth defects, increased risk of fractures, dental and skeletal
fluorosis and impaired brain function. Used by Hitler in concentration camps to pacify detainees.
Phthalates
Used in thousands of plastic products to make them more flexible. Examples include toys, cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, detergents, vinyl, food packaging and containers.
• DBP (dibutylphthalate)
• DEP (diethylphthalate)
• DMP (dimehtyphthalate)
Often not found on the ingredients list as there are no statutory requirements. Studies have found that phthalates used by pregnant mothers can increase the risk of low birth weight and undescended testes in babyboys. May lead to feminising traits in males and possibly increase the risk of prostate cancer.  Phthalates have also been found in breast milk.

Are you surprised? You should be.
Why do so many personal care products contain potentially harmful ingredients? The simple answer is: because they are cheap, readily available, and easy to dilute.
Are there non toxic, Natural Skin Care and Personal Care Products out there that deliver results? Yes, loads! There are many great quality organic and natural personal care products, skin care and cosmetics out there that are hand made with love, but don not trust a label just because it reads 'All Natural', read on... Unfortunately the market is being flooded with companies trying to sell you personal care products that are not at all 'All Natural'.
What can you do to keep your skin healthy without using potentially harmful substances? Eat plenty of fresh, raw food and getting enough omega-3 fats are ways to improve your skin... You are what you eat. Need I mention exercise? Through exercise, your skin detoxifies impurities from your system; known as perspiration... And don not smoke. But beyond that, here is a critically important step to skin care you need to be aware of… Just 5 minutes per day gets you on the road to a younger looking, vibrant face: use natural skin care products and have a daily skin care  routine. Every day of your life, pollution, grime and dust attach to your skin. If you don not take a couple minutes each day to cleanse your face and unclog your pores, your skin may look sluggish instead of its bright and shiny best.  Take time to thoroughly cleanse your skin with natural skin care products and you will find your face looking and feeling younger. Please refer to our Natural Skin Care Routine for healthy, glowing skin. If you will be in the sun for extended periods of time, use a natural Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen with safe and effective ingredients
Don’t expect overnight changes. Don’t be discouraged with seeming lack of progress. It may take a week, a month or even two to notice changes and bring your skin back to a natural, healthy balance. Plus, it is quite possible that others will notice your increasingly youthful-looking face before you do!

References:
Detox your home, body and mind (by Wendy Duyker)
The Guardian supplements
Clean Food Organic
Dangerous Beauty (by Dr Peter Dingle and Toni Brown)
The Chemical Maze (by Bill Statham)
Cosmetics Unmasked (Dr Stephen and Gina Antczak)