Ingredients to AVOID in Skin Care
Studies have shown that we may actually acquire more toxins through skin absorption and inhalation than through the foods we eat. Our skin is the largest organ in the body, this is a substantial surface area through which toxic and synthetic chemicals can pass straight through and enter your bloodstream.  Personal care products should be as pure as the foods we eat.  Synthetic ingredients are created under very energy-intensive conditions which results in environmental pollution. They also require toxic or carcinogenic catalysts or reactive agents in their manufacture.  These conditions are required to transform or split the natural vegetable oil molecules into new molecules that are typically not found in nature. Because our DNA has evolved over millions of years, every cell in our bodies is programmed to respond to the natural phyto-chemicals found in the real plants  we evolved alongside. Many of the epidemic health problems that we face today are linked to synthetic chemical ingredients in our skin care and in our foods.

List of Ingredients to AVOID
aluminum ingredients - skin irritants, can cause Alzheimer's, lung disease, ( aluminum is in many antiperspirants, lotions and creams and prevalent in water supplies)

alcohol - implicated in oral cancer...found in mouthwash, astringent and toothpaste

alcohol, isopropyl ( SD-40)- a very drying and irritating solvent, made from polypropylene, petroleum derivative, promotes brown spots and premature aging of the skin

alpha hydoxy acid - destroys skin cells and leaves skin more susceptible to damage from the environment and skin cancer...actullay end up aging skin....(found in anti-aging facial creams and lotions)

ammonium ingredients ( ammonium glycolate )  a photosensitizer with potential to increase risk of sunburn and skin cancer by intensifying UV exposures in deep skin layers,  it is also a penetration enhancer which alters the skins structure allowing other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin

antibacterial cleansers (triclosan, benzethonium chloride) the centers for disease control states that use of these may contribute to development of allergies by interfering with our natural immune system antibodies and that their use may reduce resistance to infections...what is worse, these cleansers don't necessarily do a better job than regular soap and water..these are bio accumulative--they build up in wildlife and humans due to multiple exposures without breakdown--and are found in treated water supplies...these readily react with the chlorine in municipal water treatment to form chlorinated byproducts like chloroform and are acutely toxic to aquatic life

avobenzone - used in sunscreens lip balms and lotions ..is a free radical generators and are believed to damage DNA or lead to cancers

benzoates  (benzoic / benzyl / benzene )- contains carcinogens, endocrine disruptor, may cause birth defects ( found in shower gels, shampoos and bubble bath)

benzoyl peroxide - use in acne products, possible tumor promoter, may act as mutagen, produces DNA damage in human, also toxic to inhale

BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)  - this group of antioxidants is used in everything from lip sticks to toothpaste to baby sunscreen---these are toxic to the immune, respiratory, liver and neurological systems...encourages the breakdown of vitamins such as vitamin d, can cause lipid and cholesterol levels to increase, endocrine disruptor, toxic

bismuth oxychloride --found in mineral make-up, it is a by-product of the lead and copper refining, rarely occurs in nature, a skin irritant, leaves an unnatural shiny finish, clogs pores and causes blemishes, in large amounts it can cause cystic acne

bronopol - break down into formaldehyde, may form carcinogenic nitrosamines ( found in body products)

castor oil - castor beans yield the biotoxin ricin

ceteareth - used in sunscreens, mud packs, moisturizers etc....produced from cetyl alchol and ethylene oxide....carcinogen

cetyl alcolol, esters, myristate - causes contact dermatitis, possible acne promoter, semi-synthetic ingredient, 

chelators - such as disodium EDTA and tetrasodium EDTA, are used  to remove impurities from low-quality raw materials, they do not readily biodegrade in the environment

cocamidopropyl --this surfactant and emulsifier often contains impurities like nitrosamines (see dea/tea) which can combine with other ingredients to form carcinogenic compounds....causes contact dermatitis

cocamidopropyl betaine - often contains impurites like nitrosamines (see dea/tea) synthesized from coconuts, this chemical is found in body products and may be labeled natural or organic

cornstartch and rice powder (Zea Mays ) - used as a filler in mineral make-up, clogs pores... both have a shelf life so a chemical preservative needs to be added

cottonseed oil - contain high pesticide residues

dea/mea/tea ingredients are "amines" (diethanolamine/ triethanolamine) -these are used as wetting and lathering agents in shampoos and lotions...they can react with other compounds in the products to form a carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine....all ingredients with DEA after the first word such as concamid-dea, cause cancer, easily absorbed through skin to accumulate in body organs and the brain

diazolidinyl urea - linked to neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity, formaldehyde releaser 

dimethicone- cancer suspect, caused tumors and mutation in lab animals, non-biodegradable, causing negative environment impact ( silicone derived emollients --dimethicone, dimethicone copolyol, cyclomethicone )

dioforms - damage and weaken tooth enamel allowing more staining and discoloration to take place ( found in tooth whitening products )

dioxin- since dioxane is a synthetic derivative of coconut, some people mistakenly assume that it must be a natural ingredient in personal care products..however it is actually a carcinogenic chemical that is toxic to the brain, liver and kidneys...dioxin will not appear an an ingredient, often in antibacterial ingredients like triclosan, emulsifiers, PEGS and ethoxylated cleasers like sodium laureth sulfate,  dioxion causes cancer, reduced immunity, nervous system disorders, miscarriages and birth deformity

emulsifing wax ( vegetable ) - is created with these chemical ingredients...cetearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, Peg 150 sterate, steareth 20....which are toxic see ethoxlated surfactants and dioxin...endocrine disruption, developmental / reproductive toxicity and skin irritation, carcinogenic contamination concerns

ethoxlated surfactants- foaming agents, emulsifiers or humectants, on the label, they are identified by the prefix ( PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, eth or oxynol ) as part of the manufacturing process the toxic chemical 1,4 dioxane, a potent carcinogen, is generated.

formaldehyde releasers (dmdm hydantoin diazolidinyl urea, imidazalidol urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, n-hydroxymethyl glycine, monosodium salt, and quaternium-15) some of these are used as preservatives, namely as a paraben replacement...they release formaldehyde as they break down..formaldehyde was classified as a human carcinogen in 2004,  in addition anything with "urea" in the name is generally used as a "penetration enhancer"  - something used to help active ingredients in a product penetrate the skin more deeply...These also release formaldehyde as they break down and are suspected blood, neurological and liver toxins

fragrance - highly allergenic, no one has to list the chemicals used in fragrances, contains large quantities of toxins and chemicals not disclosed, fragrance free means that chemicals have been added to the product to mask the aromas of the base ingredients

fragrance synthetic...many are petroleum derived and contain phthalates,a  group of bioacculmulative industrial chemicals linked to endocrine and hormone disruption, prostate cancer, liver, kidney and lung damage and male reproductive defects..there currently no regulation of the phrases "essential oils" or "natural fragrance" ...manufacturers are free to identify synthetic fragrance as an essential oil or natural fragrance, even "pure"

fluoride - may contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic...accumulates in the body and contributes to bone disease, carcinogenic ( found in toothpaste)

germaben - chemical preservative that contains diazolidinyl urea ( see diazolidinyl urea )

grape seed oil - petro-chemical solvent used in the extraction process

glycerin- look for vegetable glycerin, glycerin without the vegetable qualifier usually means petrochemical

glycolic acid - penetration enhancer which alters skin structure ( found in creams, lotions and other cosmetics)

hydrogen peroxide - reduces the production of new skin cells, it is also an oxidizing agent, therefore causing free radical damage and cellular damage

hydroquinone - toxic, irritants, banned in Europe, can cause hyper-pigmentation

imidazalidol urea - strong irritant, may contain formaldehyde

isopropyl myristate...ingredient in eye cream that leads to excessive dryness and irritation of the skin

lanolin - while lanolin itself is skin beneficial, it may contain carcinogenic pesticides such as DDT, lindane, dieldrin and other neurotoxins ( found in body products)

lanolin limoleate - oleo-chemical and petrochemical synthetic emollient, may contain carcinogenic pesticides such as DDT, lindane, dieldring and other neurotoxins

laureth family- ( sodium lauryl sulfate, any ingredients with laureth or lauryl in the name ) carcinogenic, skin irritants may be contaminated with large amounts of toxins in manufacturing process contains ammonium salts, mutagen, acne and dermatitis producing and hair loss, synthetic surfactant ( found in tooth paste, soaps and shampoos)

mineral oil - a derivative of petroleum, this additive clogs pores, locks in toxins, suffocates and dries skin and inhibits your skins natural oil production...causes testicular tumors in the fetus, deposits accumulate in the lymph nodes and prevents absorption of vitamin A , carcinogen....(.found in blush, baby oil, lotions, foundations and creams)

nano particles or micronized minerals  are a new technology with inconclusive but potentially hazardous study results, research suggests that when tiny nano particles penetrate the skin can damage the brain and cause cell damage ( found in sunscreens and foundations )

octyl stearate -  it clogs your pores and also makes the skin more sensitive to the sun, which can increase any damage to your eye, acne producing, contact dermatitis, allergic reactions ( found in eye and face creams )

oxybenzone- (aka- benzophenone-3 )(sunscreen ingredient ) is one of the most commonly used SPF agents and possibly the most damaging....produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling causing cellular mutations,  is also known to be absorved into the skin and the bloodstream and can affect the endocrine system and hormone function in the body

octinoxate ( octy methoxycinnamate ) used in sunscreen - often listed as"made from cinnamon"...it is and endocrine disruptor, estrogen mimicker, a penetration enhancer and produces damaging reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling causing cellular mutation upon exposure to sunlight

octocrylene - it creates free radicals on teh skin when exposed to sunlight and is a penetration enhancer, free radical forming chemical

paba- ( Octyl Dimethy, PABA, padimate-o) produces  free radicals on the skin and lab tests have shown it to cause cellular mutations...a penetration enhancer and a hormone distruptor, may cause formation of nitrosamines, cause photo sensitivity, being studied for carcinogenic implications ( used in sunscreens)

parabens-petro-chemicals -(methylparaben, polyparaben, ethylparaben, parahydroxybenzoate,etc )- these are widely used preservatives which mimic the effects of the female hormone estrogen...found in nearly all commercial body care products ( liquid soaps, shampoos, conditioners, toothpastes, lotions, diaper creams, etc.) ...implicated in a multitude of health problems, estrogenic, cancer causing, allergenic, found in breast tissue, replicates in dna, stored in fat cells

paraffin wax / oil ( mineral oil ) - petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores, slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging, any mineral oil derivative can be contaminated with cancer causing PAH ( polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons )

pegs ( polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, oxynol: any ethoxylated compound, including SLES) may contain 1,4 dioxane which is a possible carcinogen, estrogen mimic and endocrine disruptor ( found in body care products)

peg ingredients ( anything with PEG followed by a number )- these are suspected kidney and skin toxins and are often contaminated with volatile carcinogens dioxane and ethylene oxide ( cosmetics, creams and body products)

petrolatum - (  liquid paraffin, minerals oils, Vaseline ) these substances are refined from crude oil...they do not allow skin to breathe, acne producing, may be carcinogenic, causes dry skin, respiratory toxin

phenol ( used in lip balms ) - it is know to be a reproductive and developmental toxin and a wildlife pollutant

phenoxyethanol - possible connection to reproductive or developmental harm to fetus, potential for reduced fertility, classified as toxic and an irritant, potential risks to wildlife and environment through excretion of body product toxins and disposal of cosmetics

phthalates-(look for your your plastics- squeeze bottles, shower curtains, soft plastics, also found in may products, usually not listed on labels) carcinogens, mutation agents, stored in fat cells, health effects include damage to liver, kidneys, birth defects, decreased sperm counts and early breast development in girls and boys

pomacre-grade olive oil - petrochemical solvent-extracted from olive pits

polyaminopropyl biguanide ( PABP) - antibiotic resistant properties

propylene/butylene glycol - is a petroleum derivative, penetrates the skin very quickly and the EPA considers PG so toxic that it warns against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities, and can also weaken protein & cellular structure

retinyl palminate (found in sunscreen, lip balm and lotions ) - government studies have found that, while used on sun exposed skin, this particular type of Vitamin A may cause tumors and lesions to form and increase your chance of skin cancer

rice bran oil - petrochemical solvent used in the extraction process

stearic - ( acids and other stearic ingredients ) carcinogens

soy products - is genetically modified product and it also has one of the highest percentage of contamination by pesticides

synthetic colors - are made from coal tar...they contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity  and irritation,  carcinogenic,  they will be labeled as FD&C or D&C followed by a color and a number

talc- carcinogenic when inhaled, can contain asbestos, do not use on babies, linked to ovarian cancer, respiratory toxin, found in blush, condoms, baby powder, feminine powders, foot and body powders

TEA ingredients ( not tea, but rather ingredients with TEA in front such as Tea lauryl sulfate or Triethanolamine) causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time...these chemicals are a known carcinogenic effects ( found shampoos, skin cream, bubble bath, shaving gel, conditioner and lotions)

tocopheryl acetate - synthetic vitamin e.. toxic concerns

zinc stearate - carcinogen (found in blush and powder foundation)