A brief buyer’s guide in skin care products: 4 compounds to avoid

Welcome back, friends! So, we’ve already covered the importance of minimizing toxins in your dietary and food choices, but what about skin care products? If you haven’t read my post on the importance of reducing/eliminating your overall toxic exposure, check out my blog post here. 

When we discuss ways to clean and restore overall well-being, it is extremely important to avoid or dramatically reduce consumption of toxins in all areas of your life, so-as to avoid a perpetual cycle of detoxing and “re-toxing.”  Purchasing organic, whole foods, having daily bowel movements, sleeping well, and healing any nervous system imbalance are some of my favorite ways to ensure our lifestyles continues to give us the energy we need to move through our days and feel productive. (If you missed my last post, there are many helpful tips in there on how to achieve these wellness pillars.) But there is a hidden perpetrator for many of us - and that is skin care products.

 In Naturopathic medicine, we often talk about the body’s emunctories, or organs or elimination and detoxification, including the skin, liver, kidneys, sweat glands, colon, and lungs. These organs work individually and collectively to ensure your body is effectively handling the chemicals and toxins that you encounter on a daily basis. When one organ is overburdened, the others will pick up the slack. The skin is especially important, as it is our largest organ of detoxification. In fact, there is a common understanding in holistic medicine that the skin is a reflection of the health of the gastrointestinal tract. I.e. So if you are experiencing “skin conditions” such as eczema, acne, or hives, there may be value in investigating your gut health.  You can heal your skin! (& spot the link below to work together)

 Because the skin is one avenue of the body’s detoxification system, if the other organs of elimination or emunctories are overloaded, the skin will start to detoxify to alleviate the burden and may express some of the conditions listed above. Conversely, the products that we apply to this outer layer can also seep through the skin and affect our other detoxification systems (such as the liver). We absorb topical skincare products through the skin, or through inhalation (via the lungs), so though it seems like these products are perhaps gentler and more limited to your external layer, they actually can find their way into your bloodstream and create harmful effects all over. 

A few ways chemicals can negatively influence our physiology include disruption of our hormone systems (such as xenoestrogens which can contribute to “estrogen dominance” symptoms), triggering of the immune system, and/or by directly impacting the precious nerve fibers of our nervous system.   

 The following list is by no means exhaustive, as there are literally thousands of unregulated chemicals in our food and skincare industry. This post is specific to the cosmetic industry, though it can certainly apply to other household items as well. 

The 4 biggies: Compounds to avoid: 

1.     Sulfates (including sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate; abbreviated as SLS or SLES): found in shampoo, body wash, cleansers, make up, hair styling products, oral hygiene products 

a.     Toxic effects: cellular damage, reproductive disorders, kidney damage, respiratory problems, skin/lung/eye irritation

2.     Phthalates (dibutyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, fragrance, MMP, MEP, miBP, DMP, DEP, DIBP): found in deodorant/anti-perspirants, perfumes, fragrances, all hair products, skin cleansers, makeup, moisturizers, lotions, spray tans. 

a.     Toxic effects: endocrine system disruption (including early-onset puberty), cellular damage, reproductive disorders, birth defects, thyroid abnormalities, possibility carcinogenicity. Effects are cumulative. 

3.     Triclosan (triclocarban): Found in: sanitizer, antibacterial products, body wash, deodorant, antiperspirant, all hair products, toothpaste, mouthwash, teeth whiteners.

a.     Toxic effects: heart disease, heart failure, reproductive disorders, endocrine disruption, thyroid abnormalities, skin irritation, muscle function disruption. 

4.     Parabens (any form that ends in -paraben, -Methyl-, butyl-, ethyl-, and propylparabens): found in cosmetics, makeup removers, deodorant, antiperspirant, lotions, spray tans, sunscreens, shampoos, cleansers, body wash.

a.     Toxic effects: breast cancer, tumors, endocrine system disfunction, reproductive disorders, thyroid changes. 

Other chemicals to avoid:

please again note this list is not exhaustive 

-Talc (powders)

-Coal tar (eye makeups)

-Mineral oil (lipsticks)

-Saccharin (toothpaste)

-Lead/coal-tar dye (mascara) 

-Benzoyl peroxide 

-Synthetic (or artificial) FD&C colors and dyes: NOTE: hair dyes are absorbed through the scalp

-Propylene glycol (PG) and butylene glycol 

-Diethanolamine (DEA), monoethanolamine (MEA), and triethanolamine (TEA)

-Dioxin

-Polyethylene glycol 

-Avobenzone 

-DMDM hydantoin and imidazolidinyl urea 

-cologne/synthetic fragrances: NOTE: many synthetic chemicals used in fragrances are derived from petroleum. Effects from cancer to reproductive toxicity and autoimmunity and have been noted. Components of fragrances such as solvents (alcohol) can even negatively affect the myelin sheaths of our nervous system (read: neurotoxicity). 

Tips for reducing exposure:

·      the magic comes when you work to heal your skin from the inside out. Drink water, eat real foods, move your body, rest, and work to manage stress. See the most recent blog to learn tips for reducing overall toxic body burden. 

·      for hair dye: consider a natural source such as henna, lemon juice/chamomile, or walnut husks. 

·      opt for natural skincare ingredients when possible such as vitamin C, E, antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acids, green tea, hyaluronic acid, clay, essential fatty acids, peptides, and rosewater. Oils work as great moisturizers.   

·      if in doubt, you can use the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org), an excellent resource of reclaiming health. They have a chemical database listing research on the health effects of various chemicals in skincare products. They also have an app for smartphones called “Healthy living” where you can scan personal care products (or foods) to see how those products rank on their toxicity scale. 

Daily detoxification practices can be extremely useful for aiding recovery to overwhelming exposure to such chemicals. Daily practices such as sweating/exercising, deep breathing, dry skin brushing, adequate water/fiber intake, castor oil packs, and massage can be very useful. 

 If you suspect you have already been heavily exposed these chemical(s), a more detailed detoxification plan may be necessary. It is important to work with a knowledgeable health provider, especially before/during detoxification protocols, so that your body does not get overwhelmed by the detoxification process. There can be decades of toxins stored in your body and it is wise to be intentional with this process.  

 If you are curious to learn more or want to work together in a one-on-one setting, you can clink here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone call where we’ll discuss your unique health history, your goals, and how to optimize your health and wellbeing. 

References (and excellent resources for further learning!)

-       Brogan, K. (2019). Own your self: The surprising path beyond depression, anxiety, and fatigue to reclaiming ... your authenticity, vitality, and freedom. Sydney: Hay House.

-       Chopra, D., & Snyder, K. (2016). Radical Beauty. New York: Harmony Books.

-       Kellas, W. R., & Dworkin, A. S. (1996). Surviving the toxic crisis: Understanding, preventing and treating the root causes of chronic illness. Olvenhain, CA: Professional Preference.