Good Chemistry: Green Tips for Better Health, from Planned Parenthood of Northern New England

Archive for the ‘Cosmetics’ Category

Fragrances Stink–Especially While Pregnant

The birth of a child is a highly anticipated moment.  It’s the culmination of months of preparation, patience, and dare I say it, resisting temptation. Everything from coloring your hair, to eating sushi, to drinking alcohol is put on hold the moment you find out you’re pregnant. Here’s another “no-no” to add to your list: artificial fragrances.

Synthetic chemicals found in umbilical cord blood of American newborns.A study by the Environmental Working Group revealed 232 contaminants in the umbilical cord blood of 10 newborn American babies. Synthetic musks, common components of fragrance, were found in 7 of the blood samples.

These results are significant because artificial fragrances are toxic and have been linked to developmental illness, infertility, even birth defects and cancer.

What’s even more disturbing is due to labeling laws, the ingredients in fragrance products are considered “trade secrets,”  and do not need to be disclosed.

If you’re pregnant –or planning on it—here are some precautionary measures you can take:

  • Choose products free of synthetic fragrance.
  • Make your own cosmetics.  The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has great recipes.
  • Be proactive. Contact the manufactures of your favorite lotions, perfumes, and lip balms, and encourage them to use non-toxic ingredients and to fully disclose this information on labels.

As wonderful as it is to look and smell nice, consider the risks of the products you’re using and their effect on your newborn.  By forgoing those toxic perfumes, you’ll be able to enjoy that new baby smell even more.

Posted by on December 29th, 2009 3 Comments

Toothpaste

I brush my teeth 2-3 times a day.  That is nearly 1000 times per year. I also blackmail bribe ensure that my three children brush at least twice a day (with varying degrees of success).  I am clearly a busy woman, so I don't want to have to think about toothpaste every time this event happens in my house.  Dental health needs to be a no brainer.

Until recently, my dental care was focused, naively, on teeth.

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Toothpaste, though developed for use in the mouth, is full of "stuff" we have no business ingesting. Even if you are not swallowing dental products, the mucus membranes in the mouth are a fast delivery system into the bloodstream.  This begs the question: what exactly is in toothpaste?

Inactive ingredients, which bestow a product with taste, texture and color, top the list of toxicity.  Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are common foaming agents in shampoo, soap and toothpaste.  A little research, and it turns out they are also used "as surfactants in engine degreaser and in car wash soaps."

This does not begin to cover the food dyes that give toothpaste the fancy racer stripes or pretty aqua colors, or the artificial flavors that make us feel all minty fresh.  Children's toothpaste does not fare any better.

Fortunately, there are many alternatives.  A perusal of the Skindeep database revealed some reasonably priced options readily available in most co-ops or high-end grocery stores:  Jason, Peelu, and Tom's of Maine all offer a wide range of products that don't rank above a "2" on the Skindeep scoring system (10 being horrific).

With my family of 5 brushing nearly 4000 times per year (some of us more than others), I am grateful for the peace of mind that a "good" toothpaste offers.

Posted by on December 1st, 2009 2 Comments

Poisonous Perfume

I’m pretty sensitive to smells, especially when it comes to perfume. The fragrance section in a department store is a guaranteed trip down Migraine Lane, leaving me no choice but to pop copious amounts of ibuprofen, draw the blinds and don a cold wash cloth for the rest of the night. Until recently, I chalked this phenomenon up to a weak stomach, weird DNA, whatever—all I knew was that perfume was not for me.

After doing some research, I learned there are plenty of reasons why perfume makes people sick.

95% of scented products on the market are made largely or entirely of synthetic chemicals, usually derived from petroleum or coal tar [1].

These synthetic chemicals can cause asthma, headaches (hello, department store!), dizziness, allergic skin reactions and nausea [2]. They can disrupt the endocrine system, instrumental in regulating hormones, growth, development and puberty. Some perfumes contain carcinogenic compounds that can cause birth defects and cancer.

Which perfumes are the worst culprits? Unfortunately, most of the top sellers. The EWG’s (Environmental Working group) Skin Deep cosmetic safety database rated Ralph Lauren’s Romance an 8 out of 10 for health hazard (10 being the most dangerous); Lancome’s Attraction a 9, and Diesel’s Fuel for Life a 10 (maybe that stuff really does contain diesel?).

Does it mean we should never wear perfume again? Perhaps we just need to be more cautious when choosing a scent.

Look up your scent. If it doesn’t score well, consider switching to something less harmful, especially if you have been experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms. There are plenty of alternatives free of harsh chemicals. Some even have samples for less than $3!

Please post recommendations!

8/27/2009: Update from our friend Swallowfield.  Apparently Indie Fixx offers a good do-it-yourself perfume alternative.

[1 & 2] Neurotoxins at Home and In The Workplace. Report 99-827. Committee on Science and Technology September 16, 1986.

Posted by on August 25th, 2009 1 Comment

Save Face

Despite my sensitive skin, I used to think buying a new face wash was a quick easy task. Until I had a particularly traumatic experience with a store-bought facial masque, that is: it resulted in a low-level chemical burn.

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After that scare, standing amidst the sea of product ingredient labels became overwhelming. I realized I had no idea which ingredients were safe, or which could trigger such a severe reaction. What's a girl to do when there is no computer around to quickly check Skin Deep, the online cosmetics safety guide?

I did some research and found my answer with Smart Skin Care, a website that provides valuable instructions for reading skin care product labels. It also provides valuable information about what ingredients can be hazardous and should be avoided. According to the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, all ingredients must be listed on the label. Generally, the ingredients are listed in descending order based on concentration. Smart Skin Care provides some valuable information to this, by explaining there are exceptions to this rule. For example, colors and fragrances are typically listed last, regardless of concentration. This is unsettling because, while some synthetic fragrances and colors may be safe, others may pose serious health risks to women. Synthetic fragrances have been linked to a wide spectrum of health complications, ranging in severity from cancer to slight skin irritation.

Scrutinizing labels can be tedious and time-consuming. I have decided to make a list of "absolutely not" ingredients to make faster decisions I don't second guess.  Any tricks you want to share?

Posted by on July 2nd, 2009 No Comments

Savvy Sunscreen Selection

I have been committed to slathering on suntan lotion for some time now.  In my 20s I foolishly sought a sun-kissed glow to add to my appeal, but I usually ended up looking like a giant red-lobster. Now, in my 30s, I am trying to “make-up” for all of my blistering burns, so I have been applying copious amounts of high SPF sunscreen.  My husband tells me I am the easiest person to spot on a beach – he simply looks around for the palest (we’re talking white) body and there I am.  While the ingredients in the sunscreen have been working to block out the UV rays that cause my skin to burn red, the ingredients have not necessarily been working to shield my health.

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UVA and UVB rays both contribute to skin cancer, wrinkling, and skin aging.  I was always under the belief that a higher SPF meant greater protection from UV rays.  However, according to Environmental Working Group, SPF, Sun Protection Factor, “is only a measurement of the how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB rays, the kind of radiation that causes sunburn.”  SPF does not measure a product’s protection from UVA rays.  Look for products labeled UVA/UVB or broad spectrum for protection against both types of UV radiation.

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Posted by on June 28th, 2009 3 Comments

Deodorant Stinks

I’ve known for a while that conventional deodorants — which often contain triclosan and/or aluminum — do more than stop sweat in its tracks. Unfortunately, many of the deodorants and antiperspirants on the market are also linked to adverse health effects, such as problems with sweat glands after years of use, discoloration in the skin, and possibly even Alzheimer's and breast cancer.

                               

Whether or not the research is conclusive, there’s enough evidence to warrant a switch. But at what cost?

 

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I recently traveled to Ames, IA, with eight kids between the ages of 8 1/2 and 12. (It’s a long story, but only two of them “belonged” to me...) Long before reaching our final destination, my all-natural deodorant up and died. While the preteens I was traveling with didn’t seem to notice, I was mortified every time I had to raise my arms to stow luggage in the overhead bins. So, what’s a girl to do?

 

Given my sweat-inducing situation, I opted for an antiperspirant/ deodorant with a natural-sounding cucumber and green tea scent for the return trip. Knowing that you can’t judge a book by its cover — or MOST personal care products by their label — I visited Skin Deep, an online safety guide created by the Environmental Working Group. WORRIERS BEWARE: You’ll never be able to look at those benign-looking tubes, jars, and bottles the same way! According to their database, the product I’d chosen earned a “hazard score” of 5 (with 10 corresponding to highest concern). Not horrible, but 61% of antiperspirant/deodorants have lower concerns. With so much to choose from, I’m hopeful that I can find an effective, healthier alternative — without breaking a sweat. Please feel free to send suggestions!

Posted by on June 11th, 2009 No Comments

Pedicure Season

As a working mom, I have few indulgences...aside from a couple of pedicures during the summer months, that is.  As someone who is always catering to others' needs, having my feet rubbed and generally being treated like a queen for 1/2 hour is hard to resist.  Not to mention the allure of red toe nails.

Cute, but is it worth putting other women at risk?

Cute, but is it worth putting other women at risk?

This bubble has burst.  Around the PPNNE office, I had been hearing water cooler conversations about nail workers (most of whom are in their childbearing years) and their increased exposure to formaldehyde and other toxins.  I conveniently buried my head in the sand, as pedicure season was upon me.

When I finally got in the chair for my first pedi of the season, ready to let pampering rain upon me,  I couldn't enjoy it.  I started to feel like my eyeballs were throbbing and I couldn't wait to breathe fresh air.  This sent me to internet, where I learned astonishing things.

Most nail workers have a common profile. They tend to earn less than $17,000 a year and are usually recent immigrants without health insurance. Throughout their work day, commonly in poorly ventilated spaces, they are continuously exposed to solvents, glues, and countless chemicals linked to cancers, respiratory and skin problems, and reproductive harm. (Ingredients in cosmetics are not regulated by the FDA!!!) According to the California Breast Cancer Research Program, breast cancer is the number one cancer in Vietnamese women, who make up the majority of the nail worker force.

Some cities and non-profit organizations have begun to address this issue, and there is a pdf named "Phasing Out the Toxic Trio" available.

I have a few weeks before I am due for my next pedicure, and I intend to research what the less toxic and cruel alternatives are.  Should you know of any, kindly post a comment.

Posted by on June 3rd, 2009 1 Comment

Homemade Cosmetics

Lately I’ve been thinking about that old saying, “if you want something done right, do it yourself.”  After reading so much about chemicals in shampoo, soap and make-up, I’d had enough.   But I have good news for all you gals out there who like to take matters into your own hands: you can make your own safe, chemical free hand scrub!

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has several recipes for you to experiment with!  Here’s one that’s easy to make (although it’ll be tough not scarfing down all the strawberries!):

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Strawberry Hand and Foot Exfoliate

Ingredients:

8-10 strawberries

2 tablespoons apricot oil (you may substitute olive oil)

1 teaspoon of coarse salt, such as Kosher salt or sea salt

Instructions:

Mix together all ingredients, massage into hands and feet, rinse and pat dry. Strawberries contain a natural fruit acid, which aids in exfoliation.

Care to share any recipes of your own?

Posted by on May 28th, 2009 1 Comment