The body has a natural way to remove toxins
from our body and that is through perspiration. Antiperspirants do not
impact on thermoregulation—the body’s natural cooling method through
sweating, but they do help to reduce the amount of sweat that is
produced. A deodorant does not prevent perspiration, but contains
artificial fragrances that cover odor.
What many of us do not realize is that
the ingredients in antiperspirants and deodorants are potentially
harmful to human health. There is nothing natural about parabens,
triclosan and propylene glycol. The Food and Drug Administration has put
no regulations in place to protect the consumer from these harmful
ingredients, and manufacturers fail to mention how these ingredients
affect in the body over the long term. If you want the lowdown on what
you are placing on your skin—the largest organ in the human body, read on for the facts.
FD&C Color Pigments
The FD&C color pigments used in
antiperspirants and deodorants are derived from coal tar, and studies
have shown these to be carcinogenic. These pigments can lead to skin
irritation. Although antiperspirants and deodorants are neutral in
color, some are mixed with aluminum, which is the reason why color
pigments may be listed as an ingredient on your deodorant or
antiperspirant.
Parabens
If you look at the labeling of your
antiperspirant or deodorant, you are likely to see a list of parabens,
including methyl, ethyl, butyl, and propyl parabens. These are
artificial preservatives added to the product to preserve its shelf life
and prevent the growth of bacteria. Scientists are currently studying
whether parabens increase the risk of women developing breast cancer.
The Breast Cancer Fund reported,
“Measurable concentrations of six different parabens have been
identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors.” Parabens were also
found in urine samples.
Propylene Glycol
This humectant helps the product retain
moisture. Industrial grade propylene glycol is commonly found in
antifreeze, yet is now found in antiperspirants and deodorants. This
neurotoxin is linked to liver and kidney damage, and the National
Institute for Occupational Health and Safety produce the safety data
sheet, which specifically mentions that workers should not let propylene
glycol come into contact with the skin due to the health concerns,
including nausea and vomiting.
The Food and Drug Administration lists
propylene glycol as safe and have included it on their Generally
Recognized As Safe list, as it there is industrial grade propylene
glycol and pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol.
Although lower doses of propylene glycol are used in skincare products,
and found to cause no carcinogenic risk, low doses may still cause an
allergic reaction in some individuals. Earlier studies reported DNA
mutation after low doses of propylene glycol were ingested or applied to
the skin. The Cosmetics Database rates propylene glycol as moderately
hazardous.
Author of Health Myths Exposed,
Shane Ellison, said, “Working as a chemist, I’ve seen propylene gycol
used with the drugs lorazepam, etomidate, diazepam, nitroglycerin, and
phenytoin to increase solubility. It’s foreign to the body and as such
is toxic. Too much would be about 1800 mg for a 165 lb person.” The
former pharmaceutical chemist continued, “The big threat is that it is
being used for Over the Counter products…And thus, intake cannot be
gauged! Overdose becomes a real and present danger…”
Propylene glycol works similarly to the
chemical, polyethylene glycols (PEGs) in that it allows ingredients to
be better penetrated by the skin. This also means that potentially
hazardous ingredients are readily absorbable by the skin and can lead to
possible allergic reactions.
Talc
Talc is used in antiperspirants and
deodorants for its absorbency. However, the International Agency for
Research on Cancer has listed talc as a carcinogen should it contain
asbestiform fibers. Worryingly, the quantity of these fibers is
unregulated, and even if talc is listed as an ingredient, there is no
way of knowing whether the talc contains these fibers. The American
Cancer Society has reported a link with talc and ovarian cancer.
Triclosan
This artificial chemical has an
antimicrobial effect, and is added to antiperspirants and deodorants to
kill surface bacteria. However, this ingredient is a skin irritant and
has been linked to contact dermatitis. Even the American Medication
Association said, “It may be prudent to avoid the use of antimicrobial
agents in consumer products.”
It is recommended that consumers do not
use products containing triclosan in their home, as they may contribute
toward bacterial resistance to antibiotics and let other bacteria forms
flourish. The Environmental Working Group reports that triclosan is
linked to disruption of the thyroid function. Triclosan is found in our
lakes and rivers, and is very harmful to aquatic life.
Aluminum
Although there is no clear risk to
breast cancer, aluminum is a key ingredient in antiperspirants. The skin
absorbs aluminum and research has determined that the levels of
estrogen formed in the breast cells can alter significantly. As estrogen
is linked to a growth of both cancerous and non-cancerous breast cells,
some scientists have determined that aluminum-based antiperspirants can
increase the risk of developing breast cancer. More studies are
required before this fact can be determined.
Triethanolamine (TEA) and Diethanolamine (DEA)
These ingredients commonly found in
antiperspirants and deodorants alter the pH, and are mixed with fatty
acids to form stearate, a cleansing base. There are suggestions that the
longer these ingredients are absorbed by the body, the greater the risk
of damage. TEA can lead to allergic reactions, while DEA can lead to
liver and kidney damage.
The Food and Drug Administration’s John
Bailey quoted this about a new study, “the risk equation changes
significantly for children.” Tests at the University of Bologna in Italy
found TEA to be the most frequent sensitizer used in cosmetics, gels,
shampoos, creams, lotions, etc.”
Phthalates
This ingredient is added to
antiperspirants, deodorants, medical goods, and plastics. They are added
to dissolve ingredients and give the product a better consistency.
Current research has determined that phthalates can increase the risk of
diabetes in women.
Harvard scientists have determined that
phthalates is linked to higher levels of diabetes in women. Co-author of
the study and environmental health researcher, Richard Stahihut said,
“These findings are important clues, but it’s only a first step. It’s
extremely likely that phthalates and other chemical contaminants will
turn out to be a big part of the obesity and diabetes epidemic, but at
this point we really don’t know how these chemicals are interacting with
each other, or with the human body.”
Butylated Hydroxytuluene (BHT)
This ingredient is considered to be a
known carcinogen by the US Department of Health and Human Services. This
ingredient has been linked to cancer, hyperactivity in children, and
cellular level changes. The material safety data sheet for BHT states
that it can lead to abdominal pain, nausea, and confusion, whilst also
affecting the liver. It is also combustible and can harm aquatic life.
Environmental Skin Deep describes BHT as a moderate hazard.
Polyethylene Glycols
This ingredient is commonly found in
deodorants; especially products containing moistening ingredients
contain polyethylene glycols, also known as PEGs. A health hazard of
this ingredient is the potential contamination of 1,4-dioxane, which can
lead to cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer
classifies 1,4-dioxane as a possible human carcinogen. Cosmetic
manufacturers are able to use vacuum stripping to remove 1,4-dioxane,
but it is impossible for consumers to know which products have gone
through this removal process, and which are still hazardous and
available over-the-counter. US researchers even discovered that products
labeled ‘natural’ or uncertified ‘organic’ were found to contain
1,4-dioxane.
Synthetic Fragrance
Synthetic fragrances are linked to a
host of health concerns, including skin allergies, headaches,
hyper-pigmentation, and dizziness. Popular names for these ingredients
include benzophenones 1 to 12 and methyl salicylate. What the cosmetics
industry fail to mention is that many of these synthetic fragrances can
contain up to 200 ingredients, and under the ‘trade secrets’ they do not
have to disclose this to consumers. The skin is the largest organ in
the body, and it is important to know that what we are placing on our
skin is safe. Some antiperspirants and deodorants may contain extracts
of essential oil, but this is not enough to determine safety, especially
when synthetic lemon fragrance can cost $1 per lb, while essential oil of lemon
costs $50 per lb. The body is a very intelligent machine, so why are
synthetic fragrances linked to a myriad of health concerns from
dizziness and headaches to skin irritation and allergies?
Headspace Technology is the term used to
describe mimicking the exact replica of a natural fragrance, and one
company described it like this, “Headspace technology is an advanced
system that captures and analyzes the scent molecules in the air around
the source of each scent, extracting a reproducible formula. Using this
process, and their own uncanny sense of smell, Demeter successfully
creates idealized versions of each scent, whether isolating a single
note, or expertly mixing various notes in the perfect proportions
necessary to create a single fragrance experience.” This might all sound
very professional, but artificial fragrance is not how nature intended.
By Helen Garvey
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