Holistic Beauty from the Inside Out (16 page)

Aluminum

Every morning, as you reach for a stick or a roller with a freshly scented antiperspirant liquid, consider this: at this very moment, you are poisoning your breasts, and your brain.

All antiperspirants on the market rely on aluminum in the form of aluminum chloride, aluminum zirconium, and aluminum
chlorohydrate. Even the so-called natural antiperspirants with “mineral salts” appear to contain alum, a mineral salt chemically known as aluminum potassium sulfate. Natural or not, aluminum is still present.

When applied to the skin, aluminum salts dry out sweat by injecting aluminum ions into the cells that line the sweat ducts.When the aluminum ions are drawn into the cells, water flows in; the cells begin to swell, squeezing the ducts closed so that sweat cannot get out. But aluminum stays inside the body.

A potent neurotoxin, aluminum enters our bloodstream in large doses, contributing to two serious diseases: breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common cause of dementia, affecting millions of men and women worldwide. Upon reaching the brain, this metal alters the function of the bloodbrain barrier. Scientists have found that plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease sufferers contain aluminum.
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Every day we rub aluminum-loaded antiperspirant into our underarm areas, where many lymph nodes are located close to the surface of the skin. Numerous studies link breast cancer to long-term use of aluminum-based antiperspirants. Dr. Philippa D. Darby of the University of Reading in the United Kingdom has shown that aluminum salts increase estrogen-related gene expression in human breast cancer cells grown in vitro, which makes aluminum a powerful metalloestrogen.
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Of course, aluminum is not the main cause of breast cancer and brain diseases. There are many factors involved in the progression of both ailments including lifestyle, diet, and heredity. But wouldn’t you avoid one significant factor if you could? I hope you will. And you won’t go around smelly and wet. In
Chapter Twelve
, you will find more about natural alternatives to cancer-causing antiperspirants.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

One of the harshest detergents ever created by a chemist, this petroleum-derived foaming agent is widely used in shampoos,
skin cleansers, toothpastes, and baby washes. Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) is a strong irritant and is known to frequently cause allergic dermatitis. Besides the health risks, SLS is not biodegradable and is a considerable poison to waterways and wildlife.

Recent studies have found that sodium laureth sulfate and similar detergents made with ethoxylated compounds may be contaminated with low doses of 1,4-dioxane,
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a strong toxin and a known human carcinogen. While there are no reliable methods to instantly detect 1,4-dioxane in skincare products unless you are willing to send a sample to a chemist, it would make sense to avoid sodium laureth sulfate as well as other ethoxylated ingredients. You can easily identify them on the product label by letters
-eth
in the name, for example, laur
eth
, myr
eth
, and cet
eth
. There are so many natural cleansing agents available for face and body cleansing, it would be a shame to continue using shampoos or body washes with SLS .

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is one of the most popular cosmetic ingredients. It helps active ingredients penetrate the skin more efficiently; it is an emollient and humectant, helping draw moisture from the air. Originally formulated for the car industry, it is used in baby washes, bubble baths, deodorants, shampoos, hair dyes, and even personal lubricants.

The FDA considers propylene glycol to be “generally recognized as safe” for use in food, cosmetics, and medicines. However, if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, this ingredient is definitely to be avoided.

Contact allergic dermatitis is the most common side effect of using products containing propylene glycol and similar petrochemicals such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ethylene glycol
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Irritation and rashes are unpleasant, of course, but there’s yet another danger about petrochemicals used in skincare products.
Toxicology studies found that common cosmetic ingredients contain such dangerous substances as ethylene oxide, 1,4-dioxane, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and heavy metals such as lead, iron, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, and arsenic. Despite such concerns, PEG compounds remain commonly used in “natural” cosmetics and personal care products, often disguised by giving plant names to them. For example, a well-known natural deodorant (thankfully, aluminum free) contains more than 50 percent propylene glycol. If you would like to reduce your current personal toxic load, it may make sense to avoid using products containing glycols, especially since so many natural emollients and waxes are available these days.

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is used in skin-lightening products to reduce skin color pigment by disrupting the synthesis of melanin. Several surveys and studies including several thousand individuals have shown that regular use of skin-lightening products can have irreversible adverse effects, such as patchy pigmentation, skin atrophy, stretch marks, and delayed wound healing, as well as Cushing’s syndrome and eye and kidney damage.
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Skin-lightening products with hydroquinone are one of the most dangerous beauty items women are using these days. Because hydroquinone lightens skin by reducing melanin, it simultaneously increases exposure to UVA and UVB rays. This increases skin cancer risks due to UV exposure, in addition to the carcinogenic effects of hydroquinone itself.

Apart from skin damage, hydroquinone is considered highly toxic and carcinogenic even by the most conservative cosmetic authority, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel. They approved the use of this bleach in hair dyes and nail products but not in facial skincare.
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Back in 1996, the FDA revoked its previous approval of hydroquinone and proposed a ban on all over-the-counter preparations with this chemical. The FDA Carcinogenicity Assessment
Committee stated that hydroquinone is a proven human carcinogen.
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The US National Library of Medicine lists hydroquinone among serious disruptors of the immune system, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer clearly labels hydroquinone as a carcinogen and mutagen (causing gene mutations leading to cancer).

Despite the scientific evidence, hydroquinone is used in bestselling creams and serums sold worldwide. Safer alternatives to hydroquinone are vitamin C, niacinamide, and arbutin. In the next chapters you will learn about safe and natural ways to boost your skin’s clarity.

Denatured Alcohol

To use alcohol in cosmetics, manufacturers must ensure it is a chemical and not an alcoholic beverage. That’s why various additives as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and denatonium saccharide, the bitterest chemical compound ever known, are added to alcohol, which is then used in conventional toners, cleansers, masks, and moisturizers. Denatonium is an active ingredient in preparations applied to children’s nails to prevent nail biting.

To avoid the drying effects of alcohol and toxic effects of denatured alcohol, it is ideal to avoid any alcohol in your skincare products unless it is listed very low in the ingredients list or marked as organic grain or grape alcohol.

Mineral Oil and Petrolatum

These odorless and tasteless liquid hydrocarbons are produced during distillation of gasoline from crude oil. When applied to the skin, mineral oil forms a waterproof film on the surface. Do you think your skin enjoys being wrapped in plastic every day? Needless to say, all vitamins, minerals, and botanicals in the cream are rendered useless because they cannot permeate the mineral oil barrier. Mineral oil blocks the pores and alters skin’s natural respiration. With regular use, mineral oil may cause allergic reactions and worsen skin dryness.

Talc

Microscopic talc particles used in cosmetics and baby powders are linked to high risk of lung injury. When inhaled, talc particles stick to lung cells irritating them, blocking airways, and in some cases causing a disease called talcosis. People who work with talc and asbestos often suffer from lung cancer. Along with silica and asbestos, talc particles in home environments are linked to acute respiratory infections in children and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in women, French scientists have found.
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There are even more dangers about talc. Several studies conducted over the past twentyfive years found an association between perineal talc powders and ovarian cancer.
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Norwegian oncologists believe that talc and asbestos are “ovarian carcinogens.”
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Instead of a talc baby powder consider using cornstarch, rice flour, or powdered lavender and calendula.

Artificial Dyes

Many artificial dyes used in makeup and skincare are strong allergens and even carcinogens. Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently used dyes.

FD&C Blue No. 1 (Brilliant Blue 1, E133) is a proven neurotoxin that may induce an allergic reaction, especially if you suffer with asthma, even when used in very small quantities. This dye has been banned from use in food in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Still, there is no ban on use of this neurotoxic dye in cosmetic products. This dye can be found in moisturizers, shampoos, and even organic skincare.

FD&C Blue No. 2 (Indigotine, E132) has proven mutagenic and carcinogenic qualities in animal studies.
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This dye is irritating to skin and eyes. It has been restricted for use in food products but is still allowed for use in cosmetics.

FD&C Green No. 3 (Fast Green, E143) is a toxic dye that is irritating to eyes, skin, and digestive and respiratory tracts. At
the moment, FD&C Green No. 3 dye is rarely used in food but found in toothpastes, mouthwashes, deodorants, and even baby skincare products.

FD&C Red No. 40 (Allura Red, E129) is a proven neurotoxin. Several studies have found that FD&C Red No. 40 as well as other azo dyes increased levels of hyperactivity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children consuming sweets, desserts, and drinks containing these dyes. In skincare, this dye is added to body products, moisturizers, and eye creams as well as self tanning products.

FD&C Red No. 3 (Erythrosine, E127) is a proven carcinogen with numerous studies proving its mutagenic activity. For example, a May 2011 study from the University of Miami found that “erythrosine . . . showed cellular effects including clear cytotoxic effects.”
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This pink dye is very appealing to children. Perhaps for this reason it can be found in children’s sunscreen and toothpastes.

FD&C Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine) is a proven neurotoxin linked to anxiety, migraines, clinical depression, and ADHD in children. It damages the lining of the stomach and alters the healthy function of kidneys. Tartrazine consumption is linked to itching, general weakness, the feeling of suffocation, purple skin patches, and sleep disturbance. People with asthma and aspirin intolerance are especially prone to allergic reactions to tartrazine. As of this writing tartrazine has not been banned in the United States or the European Union although many countries have called for a voluntary ban of this toxic colorant.

FD&C Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow) is a neurotoxin linked to anxiety, migraines, depression, and hyperactivity in children. Sunset Yellow itself may cause allergic reactions with various symptoms, including stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, nettle rash (also known as urticaria), and swelling of the skin. Many countries including the United Kingdom proposed a voluntarily ban. At the same time, this synthetic colorant is widely used in
the United States and Canada in food, shampoos, moisturizers, and pregnancy and baby products.

This list is by no means exhaustive. Please check your skincare and cosmetic products for the presence of any toxic colorants that may give you allergies, skin rashes, and dermatitis. Besides making your skin look less than pretty, they also directly affect your health and undermine your immune system, which can result in a variety of skin conditions.

We have all ingested our share of parabens, mineral oil, formaldehyde, hydroquinone, and phthalates, to name just a few offenders. Chronic diseases require decades of toxic lifestyle to take hold. Hundreds of women walk around with breast cancer that started in their teens but may not progress until these women reach menopause. But there’s no need to despair. The human body is an amazing, complex system with incredible powers of self-regeneration. All it needs is a little helping hand. Let us try to mend the damage. In the next chapter you will learn about natural ways to make you more beautiful without sacrificing your health.