The harsh reality
Sadly, many traditional beauty products are packed with harmful ingredients—some of which may be linked to cancer—and it’s very likely they’re found in your bathroom or cosmetics bag at this very moment. Concerns in cosmetic ingredients include endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, allergens, and environmental contaminants, with numerous chemicals fitting into multiple categories.
Endocrine disruptors
Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are substances that can hinder hormone function. Common examples are parabens and phthalates.
Parabens serve as prevalent preservatives in skincare items and can penetrate through the skin. On the other hand, phthalates are found in various products like perfumes, nail polishes, and certain soft plastics.
A recent study conducted by the Nordic Council, which includes the governments of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, assessed the societal costs of ED exposure, focusing on its detrimental effects on male reproductive health—including issues like testicular cancer and infertility. The report estimates that the burden on the European Union could reach €1.2 billion (C$1.7 billion) annually, excluding impacts on other populations, wildlife, and bodily systems affected by EDs, as well as the “intangible costs of infertility.”
Emerging evidence also indicates that exposure to EDs may contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Carcinogens
Carcinogens are substances responsible for causing cancer. Nail polish is particularly infamous for containing formaldehyde, a recognized carcinogen, often labeled under various names. Some carcinogenic elements may be “hidden” as impurities in other ingredients. For example, products like shampoos and bubble baths, which often contain sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), can be tainted with a probable carcinogen called 1,4-dioxane.
Allergens/Irritants
A variety of listed and unlisted ingredients can provoke allergic reactions, leading to issues such as respiratory distress, headaches, and asthma. Since numerous fragrance components remain undisclosed, consumers frequently remain unaware of the exact triggers for their symptoms.
Environmental pollutants
It’s not just humans that suffer from the presence of chemical-laden cosmetics: various chemicals found in personal care items have been detected in drinking water sources and are suspected of harming aquatic life.
Maggie MacDonald, the toxic program manager at Environmental Defence, an organization focused on health and environmental issues, points out that the products we utilize don’t simply vanish. Chemicals from products like shampoo flow down drainage systems and can ultimately enter waterways as pollutants.
Why is this important?
While applying a minuscule amount of product to our skin may seem trivial, it accumulates quickly, especially with daily use of multiple products, according to MacDonald.
There are occasions when restricted ingredients are permitted in consumer goods at minimal concentrations, stemming from the old belief that “the dose makes the poison.” Nonetheless, recent studies challenge this notion, showing that certain chemicals elicit varying reactions depending on their concentration—even at low levels.
Moreover, although an individual ingredient might be considered safe on its own, we often lack knowledge about how it interacts with other substances within the same product or across multiple products we use simultaneously. Experts refer to this phenomenon as “the cocktail effect.”
Select wisely
Adria Vasil, an environmental journalist and author of the well-known Ecoholic series and column in Toronto’s NOW Magazine, states, “While we can’t control all the chemicals in our environment, we can oversee the products we choose to bring into our homes and apply to our skin daily. By switching to safer options, we significantly lower our total body burden, which is essential.”
When you know what to seek, picking nontoxic alternatives becomes straightforward. Start by avoiding ingredients listed in Environmental Defence’s “toxic ten”:
- 1,4-dioxane
- synthetic musks
- coal-tar based colors
- BHA and BHT
- formaldehyde-releasing compounds
- petrolatum
- parabens
- phthalates
- silicone-based chemicals
- triclosan
Consider visiting a local health food store to explore organic or natural alternatives. Inquire with knowledgeable staff about products suitable for your skin type and specific concerns, seek customer feedback, and experiment with samples or travel-sized items.
Cosmetic chemical checklist
Here are some expert recommendations for clearing out hazardous cosmetics from your personal care storage.
- “Read labels and familiarize yourself with harmful chemicals to avoid,” advises MacDonald. “Being informed will help you differentiate the genuine eco-friendly options from deceptive marketing.”
- Check out Environmental Defence’s handy shopping guide at justbeautiful.ca.
- “Seek out nail polish that is labeled ‘3 free’ (indicating it lacks three common harmful ingredients) or better,” counsels MacDonald.
- “Avoid making assumptions based solely on packaging!” warns Vasil. “Many products flaunt claims of being free from certain harmful ingredients but are filled with other questionable substances. Numerous brands engage in misleading marketing regarding their natural or nontoxic status.” Instead, Vasil suggests carefully reviewing ingredient lists.
Vasil further recommends selecting products that carry a third-party certification seal, indicating external verification of their safety from significant harmful ingredients. Notable certification seals include Ecocert, USDA Organic, Natrue, and BDIH. “They’re not error-proof,” Vasil notes, “but they maintain extensive lists of prohibited ingredients in certified items, providing you with greater peace of mind.”
