hazardous ingredients on your body

you wouldn't want to harm this cute, fluffy bunny, would you? (i took this picture in my backyard a few years ago)

so why would you even think to harm yourself?

What to Watch OUT for in your beauty/soap/lotion products:

• Parabens-- "are synthetic preservatives. The cosmetics industry stands strongly behind the belief that parabens are safe, but a growing number of reputable studies say otherwise. FOUND IN: shampoo's, conditioners, styling products, soaps, body washes, moisturizers, shaving creams and gels, cosmetics and toothpastes. LINKED WITH: acute and chronic health hazards including skin toxicity, endocrine disruption, organ toxicity, cancer, reproductive toxicity, and environmental toxicity. 
• Phthalates: "on ingredient lists, they are disguised as FRAGRANCE. They're used as solvents and to "fix" fragrance to make the aroma last longer, enhance skin penetration, lubricate other ingredients, and keep nail polish from chipping. FOUND IN: Any product with synthetic fragrance may contain phthalates. Look for products with natural fragrances from plants and essential oils and those that disclose the sources of the fragrance. LINKED WITH: cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity and neurodevelopmental disorders, toxicity of the brain, kidneys, liver and lungs, and birth defects. Also, toxic to the environment.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate: " are used because they're cheap and they work well as surfactants, making products lather up nicely. Like all surfactant detergents, they remove oils effectively, but they do so indiscriminantly on the skin, which can cause dryness and contact dermatitis. FOUND IN: anything that lathers! Mouthashes and soaps included. LINKED WITH: lower the skin's immunological response, skin inflammation, skin irritation, thickening of the skin, cancer. *NOTE* While the FDA 'encourages' manufacturers to remove the contaminants, the agency hasn't established a limit for allowable levels in cosmetics and there are no laws requiring them to be removed.  The two most common contaminants are: I,4-dioxaine (portable carcinogen linked with other serious problems such as reproductive and developmental effects as well as being a persistent toxic pollutant in the environment.) Nitrosamines: (compounds are believed to cause cancer in humans because they are known carcinogens in animals)
• Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA):  a stabilizer in cosmetics. LINKED WITH: allergies, contact dermatitis, kidney damage, reproductive and fetal effects.
• Formaldehyde: preservative, carcinogenic. A.K.A: Diazolidinyl Urea- found in moisturizers, sunscreens, conditioners, body washes, cleansers, styling products. LINKED TO: cancer, mutagenic effects, allergic reaction, skin toxicity, neurotoxicity in the forms of brain and nervous system. A.K.A. Imidazolidinyl Urea- found in fce and body moisturizers, feminine products, cosmetics (all). BIGGEST LINK: cell and skin toxicity. Dimethyl-dimethyl hydantoin: linked to irritation of eyes skin and lungs, and organ toxicity. Quarternium-15: face and body washes, shampoos and conditioners. LINKED TO: allergic reaction, skin sensitization, birth defects, skin toxicity, endocrine disruption. 
• Propylene Glycol
• Toluene: nail polishes. LINKED TO: severe irritation of eyes, skin, and lungs, central nervous system damage, kidney and liver damage, developmental effects, birth defects and brain damage.
• Talc: deodorants, antiperspirants, body powders, cosmetics, eye shadows, powdered concealers, blush, bronzers, sunscreens and SPF products. LINKED TO: asbestos poisoning, cancer
• Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA) , Triethanolamine (TEA): all toxic to the liver and kidneys, and so much worst.

if you don't believe me, you can always do the research yourself-- which i highly recommend!

(Most excerpts taken from Renee Loux's book, Easy Green Living)

Love me,

the globetrotting gamine