Epic vs. Toxic

FACIAL CLEANSERS WITH TRICLOSAN

Commercial cleansers rely on alcohol and petroleum products to dislodge dirt and dead skin. But these ingredients also remove natural oils and cause drying. To counteract this, manufacturers may add mineral oil (a petroleum product) to make the skin feel soft. Cleansing creams and lotions may also contain TEA, MEA, FD&C colours (carcinogenic), hormone disrupting parabens, carcinogens, antibacterials, irritants and sensitizers.

Aubrey Organics
Desert Essence
Druide
Weleda

FACE POWDER WITH TALC

Mainstream powder products commonly contain talc, a carcinogen. Airborne talc is particularly dangerous because it can be inhaled. Other toxic ingredients include formaldehyde, lanolin, MEA, TEA and DEA (hormone disruptors that can release formaldehyde) and parabens (hormone disrupters and irritants).

Aubrey Organics
Burt’s Bees
Lavera

MASCARA AND LASH-EXTENDING PRODUCTS

Conventional mascara contains petroleum and lash-extending products can contain plasticizers, like polyurethane, that cause cancer in animals, and polystyrene sulfonate which can irritate eyes and may be a hormone disruptor.

Aubrey Organics
Lavera
Ecco Bella

HAIR DYE AND COLORANT

Most permanent hair dyes contain potential irritants and carcinogens like formaldehyde and ammonia. Petroleum-based coal tar derivatives and phenylenediamine cause cancer. Products containing phenylenediamine can cause blindness if the solution drips into eyes. There is suggestive evidence these products increase breast cancer risk. Dark and black colours are particularly toxic.

Colora Henna from Folica
EcoColors
Naturcolor by Herbaceuticals

TOXIC SUNSCREEN

There are two kinds of sunscreen – one works as a physical block, the other is a chemical block. The best known physical blocks are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and naturally occurring minerals are more effective than some chemical sunscreens. Newer chemical sunscreens use benzophonones and cinnamates and can also contain fragrance, dyes, mineral oil and other petrochemicals.

Aubrey Organics
Burt’s Bees
Lavera

CARCINOGENIC SHAMPOO AND CONTAINER

Shampoos cause the most number of adverse reactions of all hair care products. They frequently contain harsh detergents, chemical fragrances and numerous irritating and carcinogenic compounds.

Aubrey Organics
Burt’s Bees
Druide
Curelle

TOOTHPASTE WITH FLUORIDE

Conventional toothpastes contain artificial sweeteners like saccharin, sodium lauryl sulfate, synthetic colours and flavours, and polysorbate 80 which may be contaminated with 1,4-doxane, a carcinogen. Almost all conventional brands contain fluoride. Fluoride is linked to cancer and causes problems for some sensitive people.

TOMS of Maine
Burt’s Bees
A. Vogel
Jason
Weleda

ANTIPERSPIRANT AND DEODORANT

Deodorants work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria which cause odor. Antiperspirants actually stop perspiration by blocking the pores. Much controversy surrounds the use of aluminum in most conventional antiperspirants. Aluminum may be involved in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Triclosan, an anti-bacterial agent used in many deodorants, can be absorbed through the skin, has caused liver damage in some lab animals and could possible prevent the body from eliminating toxins.

Aubrey Organics
Burt’s Bees
Lafe’s
Crystal

NAIL POLISH WITH DBP AND TOLUENE

Nail products are among the most toxic cosmetics on the market, and nails can absorb the chemicals used in polishes, removers and cuticle creams. Toluene, a neurotoxin, is one of the most dangerous ingredients in nail polish. It can comprise 50% of the ingredients in some brands. Formaldehyde, a carcinogen and sensitizer, is also found in nail products. Some companies have removed these two toxins but another commonly used chemical has emerged as a hormone disruptor – DBP, a phthalate. This estrogen mimicking plasticizer may accelerate sexual development in young girls.

Safe Nail Polish
Peacekeeper Cause-metics
Gaiam
Acquarella

LIPSTICKS WITH LEAD

Mainstream lipsticks are composed of synthetic oils, petroleum waxes and artificial colors. Coal tar dye colors are common allergens and also carcinogenic. Lipsticks also contain amyldimethylamino benzoic acid, ricinoleic acid, fragrance, ester gums and lanolin.