Did You Eat Your Skin Cream?

Everything you apply to your hair, skin, and nails, you are eating...

What exactly is in the high end, low end or hippie dippy jars, bottles and tubes in your bathroom shelves and shower? Probably not what you would like to be ingesting on a daily basis, or ever, for that matter. 

Yes, if you apply it anywhere on your beautiful and divine body temple, you are in fact ingesting it into your bloodstream, into your digestive tract, and filtering it through your liver and through every organ and system of your body. So what exactly are you unknowingly eating on the daily? Not only that, there is little research indicating the harmful effects when the suns rays hit your skin, radiating your the chemical soup you have applied to your face. What to do then? Never wear sunscreen, never wear skin cream you wouldn’t eat. I have a video and recipe for a cream that I make that is not only edible but delicious on your skin. I you would like it, email me robin@purifywithin.com and I will send you the recipe and video of me step by step making the cream. One last thing to consider. Wearing these chemicals on your face and makeup will prematurely age your skin. I can attest to this personally. When I stopped wearing make up of any kind, my skin literally glows. I think I look in my 30’s early 40’s not the 55 years I have seen the sun circle around the planet.

According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, as of 2009, the European Union currently bans 1,328 chemicals from its cosmetics. In contrast, as of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned or restricted only 30 chemicals. The FDA and the Farm-a-ceutical industry are close to being the same company, swapping employees and giving high level positions to former FDA employees and the FDA receives over half of its budget from various farm a sue ti cal (misspelled due to extreme censorship) agencies. Slight conflict of interest, wouldn't you agree? But the pharmaceuticals aren't part of the beauty industry? They dictate what products are appropriate for sales on the shelf and their favorite products are ones that create sick, weak, and dependent life long customers? How do they create customers with your skin and shampoo care?

Ingredients such as parabens, formaldehyde, and carbon black — which are unfortunately found in many of our cosmetic products today — have been linked to some pretty serious health concerns such as cancer, hormonal imbalances (endocrine disruptors), obesity, dementia, Alzheimers, respiratory issues, just to name a few.

Also, it is worth noting that cosmetics do not go through a pre-market approval process before being sold in stores, and the FDA does not assess the safety and effectiveness of the claims on the products before they’re sold. According to Dr. Kathryn M. Rexrode, associate professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Women’s Health at Harvard Medical School, “the FDA steps in only if people actually complain about a product because they suspect it harmed them, prior to that, the onus is on the company alone. Products are tested to make sure they don’t cause short-term problems, such as skin irritation. But they’re not tested for long-term safety.”

I personally will not put any chemicals inside or outside my body temple, home sanctuary or garden on purpose. I make all of my own skin care products as well as laundry soaps and cleaning supplies. The task was daunting at first, but now is simple and easy, not to mention I save a lot of time, money and stress.

But if the DIY is not your thing, send me a message and I can send you some samples to get you started and you are more than welcome to join my in home purification program. Simply click the link below and schedule a free call to see how I can best be of service to you.

Or at the very east start reading labels and avoid these 10 at all costs.

This next section written by Madeleine and the Wise Consumer:

Website: TheWiseConsumer.com | Podcast: The Wise Consumer Podcast

10 Ingredients to Avoid in Skincare Products 

1. Parabens

Parabens are one of the most common ingredients found in cosmetic products today. 

What is it? Parabens are most widely used as a preservative in cosmetic products. 

Health impact: Endocrine disruptor. 

What is an endocrine disruptor? “Endocrine disruptors,” according to the National Institute of Health, “are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife.” 

Be on the lookout for: 

PROPYLPARABEN: Often found in ‘fragrance’ products such as perfume.

BUTYLPARABEN: Fragrance Ingredient; Preservative; Masking (used to disguise natural scent of an ingredient) 

ISOBUTYLPARABEN: Used as a preservative in products

METHYLPARABEN: Fragrance Ingredient; Preservative

POLYPARABEN: Fragrance Ingredient; Preservative; Perfuming

2. Carbon Black

Carbon black was added to the FDA’s list of banned toxic ingredients, but it’s still found in cosmetic products.  

What is it? Carbon black (Uncertified D&C Black No. 2) is a black pigmented powder most commonly found in eyeliner, mascara, eyelash glue, etc. It’s what gives your mascara that dark sleek look. 

Health impact: Though some argue that in small doses (concentration of less than 10%) carbon black may not be a serious health concern, more studies are finding that carbon black may in fact be linked to increased cases of cancer, neurodevelopmental effects in offspring, harm lung function in healthy humans, and impacted hormone production in vitro. EWG rates this ingredient a 10 (on a scale of 1 being the best and 10 being the worst)! 

Be on the lookout for: Products containing ingredients such as carbon black, D&C Black No. 2 (CI 77266), acetylene black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and thermal black.

The worst toxic ingredients in cosmetics and skincare

3. Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly is often found in lotions and skincare products and used as a moisturizing agent. 

What is it? Refined properly petroleum jelly, also known as mineral oil, isn’t harmful to our health. Unfortunately, in the United States, it is common for most mineral oils to NOT be refined properly, creating the potential for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. You are most likely to find petroleum jelly/mineral oil in balms, lotions, lip products, and makeup remover.

What are PAHs? According to the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, PAHs “are a group of more than 100 chemical compounds that are prevalent in the environment and food. They are formed from the combustion of organic materials.”

Health impact: Several individual PAHs, as well as other chemical mixtures containing PAHs, have been classified as human carcinogens and are known skin irritants.

Be on the lookout for: Products containing ingredients such as white petroleum soft paraffin, mineral oil, paraffin oil, white mineral oil, and liquid paraffin.

4. Fragrance

Fragrance is found in most conventional products on the market today — from shampoo to laundry detergent. 

What is it? Fragrance, according to Made Safe, is “an umbrella term for up to 100 different chemical ingredients that make up that scent.” 

Health impact: The primary health concern with this ingredient is that no one really knows its identity. They’re additives, and mostly unknown additives for that matter, that often contain endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, developmental toxins, neurotoxins, and more. 

Be on the lookout for: Products containing ingredients such as fragrance, eau de toilette, perfume, essential oil blend, and aroma on their labels. 

5. Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is most often found in sunscreens. 

What is it? Oxybenzone, shares the National Library of Science, “absorbs UVB and UVA II rays, resulting in a photochemical excitation and absorption of energy. Upon return to the ground state, the absorbed energy results in the emission of longer wavelength radiation and decreased skin penetration of radiation which reduces the risk of DNA damage.” Meaning, it helps to protect your skin against UV rays, such as UVB rays and UVA rays.

Health impact: More research needs to be done but oxybenzone has been found to be an endocrine-disrupting compound, i.e. interferes with your hormones. Note: Hawaii has banned oxybenzone from sunscreens because of its harmful effects on the coral reef, specifically its bleaching properties. 

Be on the lookout for: Sunscreens containing oxybenzone and benzophenone-3.

6. Phthalates

Phthalates are found in cosmetic products from fragranced lotions to nail polishes. 

What are they? According to the CDC, Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break.

In cosmetics, shares the FDA, “you’ll find phthalates such as:

dibutyl phthalate (DBP), used as a plasticizer in products such as nail polishes (to reduce cracking by making them less brittle);

dimethyl phthalate (DMP), used in hair sprays (to help avoid stiffness by allowing them to form a flexible film on the hair); and

diethyl phthalate (DEP), used as a solvent and fixative in fragrances.

According to the FDA’s latest survey of cosmetics, conducted in 2010, however, DBP and DMP are now used rarely. DEP is the only phthalate still commonly used in cosmetics.”

Health impact: Like most ingredients on this list, phthalates have been linked to endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and cancer.

Be on the lookout for: Products containing ingredients such as phthalate, DEP, DBP, DEHP. and fragrance.

7. Formaldehyde

(& Formaldehyde releasing preservatives) 

What is it? Formaldehyde, according to cancer.org “is a colorless, strong-smelling gas used in making building materials and many household products.” In cosmetics, and even in some foods, this chemical, which is a known carcinogen, is used as a preservative to help prolong shelf life. And, while not all products contain the ingredient formaldehyde, some may contain and/or use formaldehyde-releasing substances. 

Formaldehyde releasing substances have been found in shampoo, soaps, lotions, etc. According to data provided by the FDA, nearly 1 in 5 cosmetic products contains a substance that generates formaldehyde.

Interesting fact: In the European Union, if a product contains a concentration of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives of more than 0.05% the product must be labeled with the notice, “contains formaldehyde.” Not so in the US. 

Health impact: Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen by multiple organizations such as the National Toxicology Program and IARC.

This chemical has also been found to cause skin irritations and allergic reactions in some individuals. You can read more about the health concerns from the American Cancer Society.

Be on the lookout for: the EWG and the American Cancer Society recommend avoiding products containing DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl urea, Diazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol ), 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, Hydroxymethylglycinate.

8. Ethanolamines

Ethanolamines (TEA, MEA, DEA. etc) are found in a multitude of cosmetics and skincare products ranging from moisturizers to baby sunscreen. 

What are they? Common ethanolamines include monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and triethanolamine (TEA). These chemicals are primarily used as surfactants (foaming agents), cleansers, or preservatives.

According to the FDA, DEA and DEA-related ingredients function as emulsifiers or foaming agents in cosmetics, or to adjust a product’s pH (acidity) while TEA is used as a fragrance, pH adjuster, and emulsifying agent. 

Health impact: While the FDA shares that “there is no reason for consumers to be alarmed based on the use of these substances in cosmetics,” it is important to note that research from National Toxicology Program (NTP) did find an association between the topical application of DEA and certain DEA-related ingredients and cancer in laboratory animals. 

Made Safe further reports that DEA “has been classified as a carcinogen by the California Environmental Protection Agency as well as possibly carcinogenic to humans with sufficient evidence in experimental animals by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.” You can read more about the chemical profiling of DEA by Made Safe here.

Be on the lookout for: Products containing chemicals such as Cocamide DEA, DEA-Cetyl Phosphate, DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate, Lauramide DEA, Myristamide DEA, Oleamide DEA, TEA-Lauryl Sulfate, Triethanolamine.

9. 1,4-Dioxane

1,4-Dioxane (also referred to as dioxane) is a chemical that, according to Safe Cosmetics, is often found in products that create suds (such as shampoo, liquid soap, and laundry detergent) and other items such as toothpaste, hair dye, and deodorant. 

What is it? The compound 1,4-dioxane is a trace contaminant found in some cosmetic products. But here’s the kicker. 1,4 -dioxane isn’t necessarily “used” in cosmetics. Rather, it’s a byproduct formed when other common ingredients are mixed together during the manufacturing process. These ingredients, reports the FDA, include certain detergents, foaming agents, emulsifiers and solvents identifiable by the prefix, word, or syllables “PEG,” “Polyethylene,” “Polyethylene glycol,” “Polyoxyethylene,” “-eth-,” or “-oxynol-.”

Health impact: Although 1,4-dioxane has not specifically been tested on humans, the NTP found that 1,4-dioxane “is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.”

The EPA has listed 1,4-dioxane as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans.” EWG rates this ingredient an 8 and lists it as a known human respiratory toxicant which is harmful to our health even in small doses. 

Be on the lookout for: Cosmetics products listing ingredients such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG compounds (usually listed as “PEG” followed by a number), Chemicals that end in “eth” (denotes ethoxylation), like ceteareth and oleth.

10. Butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), are used as preservatives in both personal care products and food. Oftentimes you’ll find BHA and BHT in lip products, hair products, makeup, sunscreen, antiperspirant/deodorant, fragrance, and creams. 

What are they? BHT and BHA are closely related compounds that are used in food, cosmetics, and industrial fluids to prevent oxidation and free radical formation, i.e. used as preservatives. 

Health impact: BHA/BHT are both known endocrine disruptors, possible carcinogens, and skin irritants. The National Toxicology Program reports that BHA is “reasonably anticipated” to be carcinogenic to humans. In addition, the European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has also listed BHA as a Category 1 priority substance, based on evidence that it interferes with hormone function. You can read more about BHA and BHT here.

Be on the lookout for: Avoid these ingredients by selecting products that don’t list the ingredient BHA or BHT. 

Now that you know which ingredients to avoid, you’re probably curious to know where you can find products that you can feel confident in that don’t have these ingredients…Make your own. I you would like my recipe, email me robin@purifywithin.com and I will send you the recipe and instructional video.

Want to know more? Make sure to schedule a free consultation with me and find ways to purify the body and to live in absolute health and wellness, purifyWithin.com

Thank you for supporting me so I can point the light back to your power, your truth, your wisdom and see you live your potential.