Toxins in makeup
Additives in cosmetics, hygiene products possibly linked to harmful effects including breast cancer
Slathering on cosmetics, toothpaste and face wash might be placing harmful toxins in the recipient’s body.
Toxic — Makeup could be harmful. Photo credit: Kate Powley
According to Liberty University Professor Linda Kitchel, some preservatives and additives in food, such as parabens, are used in cosmetics.
Parabens are used in products as preservatives and can be recognized on labels as methylparaven, propylparaben, butylparaben or benzylparaben. According to the FDA, they are used to protect against microbial growth, and certain levels of paraben are allowed in products.
“In August 2005, when scientists published a study finding a relationship between plasticizers called phthalates and feminization of U.S. male babies, they named fragrance as a possible culprit,” the Environment Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Cosmetics database said. “When estrogenic industrial chemicals called parabens were found in human breast tumor tissue, researchers questioned if deodorant was the source.”
But paraben is not the only thing found in products that has researchers concerned. The EWG says that triclosan, a common ingredient in hand soap, toothpaste and face wash, is linked to liver and inhalation toxicity.
EWG is a website database devoted to researching products and provides an engine for viewers to check the safety of more than 69,000 products.
Local health enthusiast and founder of PureGoodness blog Rachel Brewer became interested in the topic when she found out her daughter had an allergy to food coloring. Brewer holds a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Liberty University and hopes to continue her education in nutrition.
“I want people to be aware of what they’re putting on their body. The skin absorbs everything … you have to be really cautious what you’re putting on your skin, hair and especially makeup.”
According to the FDA’s website, the FD&C Act and FPLA do not require pre approval of labels and trust manufacturers and distributors to label their products accurately.
Brewer’s niece, Kristen Disney, is also concerned about toxins and other harmful substances in everyday products and aspires to have a health and wellness blog of her own.
“I don’t typically buy my products, and if I do I make sure they’re 100 percent organic or recommended by holistic doctors. I would also recommend making them yourself. I make my own products like face wash and hairspray,” Disney said. “God created all these things in the environment and the world for a purpose, so we don’t need to go and recreate them.”
Disney became interested in health when her grandfather and former chair of Liberty University’s missions department, Roscoe Brewer, was diagnosed with cancer and chose a holistic route to healing. He was expected to die within six months but lived for two and a half years after the prognosis.
“The body can heal itself, but it can’t when you have so many toxins in your body. When you read ingredients like petroleum and formaldehyde and things like that, those things are just lurking in us,” Brewer said.
Brewer suggests researching cosmetics and other products on website such as EWG Skin Deep or checking out her blog PureGoodness.
One thing that both Brewer and Kitchel stressed for consumers to do is read labels and be aware of what is in a product. Apps for smart phones are a convenient way to check what ingredients on labels may be harmful.
“Finding products that are more natural is best. You never know when something that is approved (by the FDA) today, won’t be tomorrow,” Kitchell said.