Find out right now if your favourite products are a disaster to your health. Search through a detailed list of the harmful ingredients that are hidden in makeup, hair care, skin care, baby care, perfumes and much more. Your skin and body will definitely thank you for it.
Many cosmetics contain chemicals known as parabens and phthalates, which recent studies indicate may be linked to cancer development.
Parabens are chemical preservatives that have been identified as estrogenic and disruptive of normal hormone function. (Estrogenic chemicals mimic the function of the naturally occurring hormone estrogen, and exposure to external estrogens has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer.)
Phthalates are known to cause a broad range of birth defects and lifelong reproductive impairments in laboratory animals that are exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy and after birth. Phthalates are also known to be hormone-mimicking chemicals, many of which disrupt normal hormonal processes, raising concern about their implications for increased breast cancer risk.
There are numerous other chemicals of concern in personal care products. BCA is particularly concerned about lutein (progesterone), formaldehyde and coal tar due to their links to cancer. The Environmental Working Group recently released Skin Deep, a report on the safety of cosmetics and personal care products. Astonishingly, 1/3 of products tested contain on or more ingredients that are known, probable or possible human carcinogens.
Cosmetic companies will argue that we don’t need to worry about harmful chemicals in their products because they are only used on our skin and hair. For example, the cosmetics industry has long stated that their widespread use of parabens and phthalates is not harmful because they remain on our skin and are not absorbed into our body. However, a recent study found parabens in human breast cancer tissue, raising obvious questions about the ability of parabens to accumulate in our bodies (Darbre et al. 2004). In September 2000 scientists from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found phthalates at surprisingly high levels in every one of 289 people tested, especially in women of reproductive age. The authors concluded that “from a public health perspective, these data provide evidence that phthalate exposure is both higher and more common than previously suspected” (Blount et al. 2000).
Many cosmetic companies will also argue that the level of a harmful chemical in any one product is not enough to harm you, based on studies of chemical exposure in adults. However, science is finding the timing of exposure is crucial, and that even a very small dose of some chemicals can have serious consequences in children and young women who are still developing. Also, we are rarely exposed to a chemical just one time. We may use the same product every day, several days a week, for months or years. In addition, we use dozens of personal care products daily, not just one. So while exposure from one product on one day may be small, the fact is we use numerous products a day for extended periods of time. As a result, scientists are finding chemicals such as parabens and phthalates accumulating in our bodies.
Many diseases like cancer, asthma, birth defects and learning disabilities are on the rise, and there is growing evidence that these health problems are linked to the chemicals we are exposed to in our air, water, food, and everyday products. It’s time we start acting to protect human health. The Precautionary Principle, a common sense approach to chemical use, says “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. It guides us to take action to prevent exposure to chemicals we know or suspect is harmful to our health. In the case of cosmetics, when a product ingredient is known or strongly suspected of being harmful to our healthy, our top priority should be eliminating the use of this chemical and finding a safe substitute to replace it. In many cases, we know safe alternatives do exist and are already being used by some cosmetic companies. The notion of “safe” or “acceptable” levels of hazardous chemicals in our products should only be introduced when we cannot find alternatives. We are entitled to products that won’t hurt us.
Fats are, without a doubt, the most important energy source of all foods. Necessary for peak physical and mental function, fats should comprise a high percentage of our total calorie intake.
Antioxidants do!
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules, which can help our body’s cells from being damaged by free radicals, thereby help to prevent aging, cancer and heart disease. These include beta carotene, bioflavonoid and vitamins A, E and C.
Organic fruits have been found to have higher anti-oxidant content than conventionally grown fruits. These fruits are high in antioxidants:
1. Blackberries – Blackberries have high levels of vitamin C and the fruit is a very good source for essential dietary fiber.
2. Redcurrants – Rich in anthocyanins
3. Raspberries – Full of anti-oxidants, also help to prevent clogging of the arteries due to their high salicylic acid content, an immune system boost.
4. Olives – Black olives are slightly higher in anti-oxidants but both types still have antioxidants.
5. Strawberries – The wild variety as they have a higher anti-oxidant content than the cultivated ones, but both contain antioxidants. Best consumed raw, to ensure you are getting the most anti-oxidants.
6. Oranges – Rich in vitamin C, a powerful anti-oxidant, may help protect against childhood leukaemia, as well as fight off colds .
7. Blueberries – Rich on anthocyanins, the pigment that makes blueberries dark blue. Include the skin as this is where most of the anti-oxidants are stored.
8. Pineapples – A fruit that many of us may pass by while filling out shopping baskets, this fruit is truly worth the effort of skinning and chopping to obtain that deliciously fragrant anti-oxidant-packed flesh! To ensure you pick a ripe one, look for a golden yellow colour at the base of the pineapple, the higher the colour goes the sweeter the pineapple is. They should also have a beautiful sweet smell, if there is no smell it’s not ripe and if it smells fermented then is it overripe.
9. Red plums – Best eaten ripe to maximise the health benefits, help to increase iron absorption so are beneficial for pregnant or breastfeeding women and vegetarians.
10. Black grapes – Rich in phytonutrients called flavonoids. Flavonoids enhance the power of vitamin C, help protect blood vessel damage which can lead to bruising and broken capillaries. The darker the colour of the grapes the higher the anti-oxidant content.
11. Yellow grapefruit – Grapefruits are packed with anti-oxidants but may also help lower cholesterol and slow down the processes involved in blocking arteries.
12. Tangerines – Rich in vitamins A and C and beta-carotene, help reduce fever and congestion in the liver. The citric acid content may help prevent the formation of kidney stones.
13. Cherries – Can help lower body fat and assist in conditions such as Gout.
14. Kiwi fruit – Packed with vitamin C and anti-oxidants, may help with respiratory problems such as coughing and wheezing.
15. Prickly pears – The prickly pear is a fruit from a cactus plant used by Native Americans. It is a rich source of flavonoids and vitamin C. Very good for hangovers.
16. Yellow peaches – Rich in vitamin A and a good source of dietary fibre and a mild laxative.
17. Figs – A rich source of potassium and anti-oxidant properties to help lower blood pressure.
18. Rockmelon/Cantaloupe – Low in kilojoules but rich in anti-oxidants, vitamin A and C, helps reduce the risk of developing cataracts.
19. Pears – Rich in vitamin C, pears are an immune booster. Pears have a high folic acid content which helps prevent against neural tube defects in a growing foetus, as well as relieving fevers and sore throats due to their cooling effect on the body.
20. Apricots – High in vitamin A, beta-carotene, lycopene and anti-oxidants. Can help rotect eye lenses from free-radical damage and healthy LDL cholesterol from oxidation, which may help prevent heart disease.