I love beauty products. Until I was diagnosed with cancer, I never read the labels on my beauty products, until now. I used so many beauty products that I was probably absorbing parabens at a crazy rate. After I learned about the toxic and carcinogenic effect of parabens, sodium laureth sulfate & phthalates, I over-hauled my make-up supplies and found some cheap & some pricey products that work just as well. It also gave me peace of mind knowing that I wasn't feeding my cancer.
Also the paraben, sodium laureth sulfate & phthalates being risks to cause CANCER theory has been slightly proven in Naturopathic Medicine. Even if you do not believe that beauty products have toxins that could increase cancer risk there are benefits to stopping use of parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, and phthalates in beauty products.
Non-Toxic Beauty Q&A
This is a great article I just read (10/2018) that explains the importance of clean, non-toxic beauty products and a few brands to try.
Also the paraben, sodium laureth sulfate & phthalates being risks to cause CANCER theory has been slightly proven in Naturopathic Medicine. Even if you do not believe that beauty products have toxins that could increase cancer risk there are benefits to stopping use of parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, and phthalates in beauty products.
Non-Toxic Beauty Q&A
This is a great article I just read (10/2018) that explains the importance of clean, non-toxic beauty products and a few brands to try.
1. PARABENS
What are parabens?
Parabens are added to soaps, lotions & cosmetics to prevent the growth of microbes in cosmetic products and can be absorbed through the skin, blood and digestive system. They have been found in biopsies from breast tumors at concentrations similar to those found in consumer products. Parabens are found in nearly all urine samples from U.S. adults of a variety of ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds. Parabens are linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and skin irritation . Since parabens are used to kill bacteria in water-based solutions, they inherently have some toxicity to cells.
How are parabens linked to cancer?
When rubbed into the skin, parabens are rapidly absorbed and metabolized. They also accumulate in the human body. .A 2004 UK study detected traces of five parabens in the breast cancer tumors of 19 out of 20 women studied. This small study does not prove a causal relationship between parabens and breast cancer, but it is important because it detected the presence of intact parabens – unaltered by the body’s metabolism – which is an indication of the chemicals' ability to penetrate skin and remain in breast tissue. Of greatest concern is that parabens are known to disrupt hormone function, an effect that is linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity. Parabens mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors on cells. They also increase the expression of genes usually regulated by estradiol (a form of estrogen); these genes cause human breast tumor cells to grow and multiply in cellular studies.
Read your labels of your beauty products. And if you find any of these chemicals - STOP using that product.
Butylparaben
Isobutylparaben
Isopropylparaben
Methylparaben
Isobutylparaben
Isopropylparaben
Methylparaben
Propylparaben
Diazolidinyl Urea
Formaldehyde
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
Germaben - Paraben + Urea Soup
Phenonip - Paraben Soup
SOME Paraben Free Brands that are Safe & I have used & liked:
Toms of Maine
Tarte Makeup
Alba Botanicals
JASON
The Body Shop
DevA Curl
Beautiful Curls
Avalon Organics
Burts Bees
Younique
Weleda
Dr. Bronners
Pacifica
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Aveda
Bare Minerals
2. Sodium Laureth Sulfate
What is Sodium Laureth Sulfate?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) is an emulsifier and foaming agent commonly used in cosmetic products and industrial cleaners.SLS is present in most body washes, soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and laundry detergent. Although SLS is derived from coconuts, it is contaminated with a toxic byproduct during the manufacturing process.
How is Sodium Laureth Sulfate linked to cancer?
According to the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, SLS is a "moderate hazard" that has been linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, skin irritation and endocrine disruption. There has been some arguement between the American Cancer Society and Environmental Working Group about the toxicity of SLS. Sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate are not known carcinogens, according to the American Cancer Society. However, some studies show the harsher sodium lauryl sulfate may cause mutations that could lead to cancer, which was noted in one study done at Columbia University. However, the evidence isn't clear whether the small amounts used in shampoos and other personal products would be enough to cause cancer. Although there is limited evidence that sodium laureth sulfate isn't known to cause cancer, it is a known irritant, causing skin and eye irritation. Sodium laureth sulfate can cause an itchy scalp and hair loss when used in shampoos.
Read your labels of your beauty products. And if you find any of these chemicals - STOP using that product.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Sulfuric Acid
Monododecyl Ester
Sodium Salt
Sodium Salt Sulfuric Acid
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Aquarex Me
Aquarex Methyl
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
SOME Sodium Laureth Sulfate Free Brands that are Safe & I have used & liked:
Alba Botanica, Almay, American Crew (for men or short hair), itCosmetics, EOS, doTerra, Younique, Yes To, Weleda, Ulta Beauty, Tom's of Maine, Honest Company, The Body Shop, Tresseme, Smashbox, Shea Moisture, Sensodyne, Pacifica, Ocean Potion, Mixed Chicks, Miss Jessie's, MineralFusion, Lush, Kevin Murphy, Johnson & Johnson, Garnier, Dove, Dr. Brandt, Deva Curl, Carol's Daughter, Bath & Body Works
3. Phthalates
What is a phthalate ?
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to soften and improve the flexibility and durability of plastics. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, and exposure to phthalates has been linked to breast cancer, developmental issues, decreased fertility, obesity and asthma. Although some regulations ban phthalates in certain products intended specifically for young children, they are still widely used in many consumer products.
Method
Desert Essence
Carol's Daughter
Olay
Murad
Burts Bees
Orgins
Weleda
Pacifica
Dr. Bronners
Bare Minerals
Yes To
EO Products
HOW TO RESEARCH TOXINS IN PRODUCTS
1. Do your research. Read the ingredient label for any of the chemicals noted for paraben, sodium laureth sulfate & phthalates. Also you can use these to sites to research your favorite products to see ratings on how toxic the product might be.
Cosmetic Safety Database
Skin Safe Products - searches for all toxins & allergens
100% Natural Beauty Alternatives I have Tried
I just want to note that you do not need to go 100% toxin free and expect that cancer will not come back. We ONLY used 100%organic and 100% toxin free products the day I was diagnosed with early stage cancer. This routine did not prevent my cancer from returning and becoming metastatic, but my skin, hair and nails looked better than they did when I did not use toxin free products.
ALSO, you may never find the right lotion or body wash that is toxin free. Many name brands that were not toxin free 8yrs ago in 2010 (when I first made this page) have removed parabens, sodium laureth sulfate and/or phthalates from their products. Mostly I have seen this in a few brands that we do use periodically - Garnier - rosewater toner, some face-washes, and their Whole Blends Hair Line, Dove Body Wash
Diazolidinyl Urea
Formaldehyde
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
Germaben - Paraben + Urea Soup
Phenonip - Paraben Soup
SOME Paraben Free Brands that are Safe & I have used & liked:
Toms of Maine
Tarte Makeup
Alba Botanicals
JASON
The Body Shop
DevA Curl
Beautiful Curls
Avalon Organics
Burts Bees
Younique
Weleda
Dr. Bronners
Pacifica
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Aveda
Bare Minerals
2. Sodium Laureth Sulfate
What is Sodium Laureth Sulfate?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) is an emulsifier and foaming agent commonly used in cosmetic products and industrial cleaners.SLS is present in most body washes, soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and laundry detergent. Although SLS is derived from coconuts, it is contaminated with a toxic byproduct during the manufacturing process.
How is Sodium Laureth Sulfate linked to cancer?
Read your labels of your beauty products. And if you find any of these chemicals - STOP using that product.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Sulfuric Acid
Monododecyl Ester
Sodium Salt
Sodium Salt Sulfuric Acid
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Aquarex Me
Aquarex Methyl
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
SOME Sodium Laureth Sulfate Free Brands that are Safe & I have used & liked:
Alba Botanica, Almay, American Crew (for men or short hair), itCosmetics, EOS, doTerra, Younique, Yes To, Weleda, Ulta Beauty, Tom's of Maine, Honest Company, The Body Shop, Tresseme, Smashbox, Shea Moisture, Sensodyne, Pacifica, Ocean Potion, Mixed Chicks, Miss Jessie's, MineralFusion, Lush, Kevin Murphy, Johnson & Johnson, Garnier, Dove, Dr. Brandt, Deva Curl, Carol's Daughter, Bath & Body Works
3. Phthalates
What is a phthalate ?
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to soften and improve the flexibility and durability of plastics. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, and exposure to phthalates has been linked to breast cancer, developmental issues, decreased fertility, obesity and asthma. Although some regulations ban phthalates in certain products intended specifically for young children, they are still widely used in many consumer products.
How are phthalates linked to cancer?
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 specific phthalates to read off of labels that have a higher risk of being linked to breast cancer.
Some specific phthalates are coorelated with the risk of developing cancer. Read your labels of your beauty products. And if you find any of these chemicals - STOP using that product.
**it is very hard to find products that state on the front PHTHALATE free, use the various cosmetic databases I list below or read the ingredient label**
Badger BalmPhthalates 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 specific phthalates to read off of labels that have a higher risk of being linked to breast cancer.
Some specific phthalates are coorelated with the risk of developing cancer. Read your labels of your beauty products. And if you find any of these chemicals - STOP using that product.
- Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) have been shown to be weakly estrogenic, cause estrogen-triggered cell responses, and act in conjunction with the body’s own estrogens.
- BBP, DBP, and diisodecyl phthalate (DiBP) have been shown to bind to androgen receptors
- BBP and DBP have been shown to cause cell proliferation, tumor formation, and malignant invasion of breast cancer cells that are low in or lack hormone receptors, indicating that there are negative health effects of phthalates beyond their direct impact on the estrogen-regulated systems.[
- Exposure to dimethyl phthalate (DMP) has been associated with early breast development, or thelarche, in girls. Early breast development has been linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer later in life.
- BBP, DBP and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) have been shown in laboratory studies to increase growth of human breast cancer cells and decrease the efficacy of tamoxifen, a drug commonly used to treat breast cancer.
**it is very hard to find products that state on the front PHTHALATE free, use the various cosmetic databases I list below or read the ingredient label**
Neutrogena Naturals
Method
Desert Essence
Carol's Daughter
Olay
Murad
Burts Bees
Orgins
Weleda
Pacifica
Dr. Bronners
Bare Minerals
Yes To
EO Products
HOW TO RESEARCH TOXINS IN PRODUCTS
1. Do your research. Read the ingredient label for any of the chemicals noted for paraben, sodium laureth sulfate & phthalates. Also you can use these to sites to research your favorite products to see ratings on how toxic the product might be.
Cosmetic Safety Database
Skin Safe Products - searches for all toxins & allergens
100% Natural Beauty Alternatives I have Tried
- 100% Pure Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter & Coconut Oil are great for body lotions, lotion for a bald head, lotion on radiated skin & shave creams.
- 100% Almond Oil is a great lotion to use after you have just shaved your legs & is a better alternative than Baby Oil. Almond oil is great for cuticles. Johnson & Johnson now offers Baby oil with parabens, but the 100% almond natural oil is guaranteed 100% toxin free, but if you are allergic to tree nuts avoid the almond oil & go with Johnson & Johnson or the Honest Co.
- 100% Argon Oil for your hair as an overnight moisturizer on wet hair or if mixed in a spray bottle with water is a great de-frizzer
- Apple Cider Vinegar is a good toner, but it smells horrible and does attract fruit flies. Store in the Fridge and also use a cotton swab to apply and place used cotton swab in a sealed plastic baggy to avoid the stench and flies. You can also soak nails in Apple Cider Vinegar and warm water to kill germs and bacteria if chemotherapy has caused any nail changes especially lifting of the nails.
ALSO, you may never find the right lotion or body wash that is toxin free. Many name brands that were not toxin free 8yrs ago in 2010 (when I first made this page) have removed parabens, sodium laureth sulfate and/or phthalates from their products. Mostly I have seen this in a few brands that we do use periodically - Garnier - rosewater toner, some face-washes, and their Whole Blends Hair Line, Dove Body Wash
Granted you might smell like a big hippy, but the products really work.
