10 Controversial Ingredients In Your Beauty Products

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10 Controversial Ingredients In Your Beauty Products

10 Controversial Ingredients In Your Beauty Products By Nina Elias

Cosmetic warfafe A trip down the beauty aisle should be fun—like a grown-up's version of Toys"R"Us, with all kinds of pretty, shiny things to excite and inspire. But the reality? More like tiptoeing through a minefield of toxins. A disheartening amount of makeup and skin- and hair-care products contain toxic heavy metals, potential carcinogens, skin irritants, and by-products derived from petroleum. "Both long- and short-term exposure to these toxic chemicals can cause heart disease, fatigue, memory loss, skin disorders, cancer, and other neurological diseases," explains John Salerno, MD, founder of The Salerno Center of Complementary Medicine in New York City. "Therefore, it is extremely important that we're informed of the health effects toxins can cause long-term, especially for people who use cosmetics daily." Take a look at 10 of the most offensive ingredients in your beauty products, plus, brands you can turn to for safe, reliable buys. More from Prevention: 18 Natural Beauty Products That Work

1. Phthalates Why they’re bad: Once these endocrine-disruptors enter your system (whether ingested or absorbed through the skin) they mimic hormones, and can

eventually alter your hormonal makeup by telling your body to make less or more of certain hormones. And when the hormone of choice is estrogen, it can wreak havoc: One specific phthalate, MEP, has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, according to a 2010 study in Environmental Health Perspectives, and researchers from Washington University in St. Louis found that women with the highest levels of phthalates in their urine experienced menopause 2.3 years earlier. Phthalates have also been linked to diabetes, autism, weight gain, and infertility. Where you’ll find them: Perfumes, lipstick, lotions, makeup, nail polish—anything with “fragrance” or “parfum” in the ingredient label (you’ll never see "phthalates" there). Your best bet is to look for products labeled phthalate-free, like anything from Vapour .

2. Parabens Why they’re bad: These preservatives are used to prevent bacteria, yeast, and mold from growing in your makeup—which sounds like a good thing. However, they also mimic estrogen in the body and could increase the expression of genes that may cause human breast tumor cells to grow. Where you’ll find them: Look for anything that ends in “–paraben” on the ingredient label—especially in deodorant, moisturizer, and makeup. For trustworthy makeup that’s still beautiful, Tarte cosmetics are all paraben-free.

3. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives Why they’re bad: Formaldehyde is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency, and preservatives like Diazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, and sodium hydroxmethyl glycinate all release the carcinogen into hair and skin products to keep bacteria at bay. So while your shampoo stays bacteria-free, you could experience an allergic reaction, dermatitis or other skin irritation, eye damage, headaches, and dizziness. “These products continue to release formaldehyde over the life of the product,” says Karen Behnke, CEO and founder of Juice Beauty, so the sooner you switch, the better. Where you’ll find them: They're incredibly common in products like shampoos, conditioners, skin moisturizers, cleansers, hand cream, hair gel, and shaving cream. Juice Beauty PomSmooth Shampoo ($7.40, amazon.com ) repairs and hydrates color-treated hair without the help of these preservatives.

4. DBP (dibutyl phthalate) Why it’s bad: It’s a reproductive toxin that could affect male reproductive development and has been linked to birth defects in animal studies. The European Union banned DBP from cosmetics back in 2004, but it’s still in production in the United States—to the point that the chemical can now be found in most women’s urine, indicating that DBP can be absorbed into the bloodstream, either through the skin or via inhalation. Where you’ll find it: DBP shows up primarily in nail polish to make it flexible and stand up to chipping. It’s part of the trifecta of dangerous nail polish ingredients (joined by formaldehyde and toluene) commonly used in polishes. One safe bet: RGB nail polishes ($18; amazon.com ).

5. Sulfates Why they’re bad: These harsh detergents can be laced with 1,4-Dioxane (a probable human carcinogen), and strip the hair and skin of natural oils—responsible for that tight, dry feeling you get after washing your face with a product containing it (and no, that tight feeling isn't a good thing!). They’re also known to cause skin and eye irritation. Where you’ll find them: In shampoos, facial cleansers, body washes, or any other product that’s meant to get sudsy. For sulfate-free hair products, try Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo and Conditioner ($22 and $24; rodales.com ).

6. Toluene Why it’s bad: Toluene is essentially paint thinner. It’s a neurotoxicant that can impair breathing and cause nausea. Exposure to toulene vapors during pregnancy may cause developmental issues, and human and animal studies associate it with toxicity to the immune system and certain cancers. Where you’ll find it: Most widely added to nail polish for that glossy shine and extra-strong bond, toluene can also be found in synthetic fragrances and hair dye. For toluene-free polish, check out British brand butter LONDON. Along with toluene, their polishes also avoid phthalates, parabens, and sulfates ($15, amazon.com ).

7. Mineral Oil Why it’s bad: This petroleum derivative is used outside of the beauty world as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. But because it retains moisture so effectively, when it's applied topically, it can overhydrate skin, leading to a vicious cycle of your skin drying out if you don't put cream on it. Where you’ll find it: Mineral oil is used as a conditioning agent in moisturizers, conditioners, synthetic fragrances, and topical cosmetics such as eye shadow and lip balm. Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Eyeshadow Palette ($62; amazon.com ) gives you the perfect shades of brown and tan without petroleum-derived materials.

8. Petroleum-based chemicals (such as propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol [PEG]) Why they’re bad: These other petroleum-based chemicals coat the skin to keep moisture in. And while some are more harmful than others, some petroleum derivatives are known for slowing cellular development and preventing cell turnover from happening—a process that's necessary for new, younger-looking skin. Many of these chemicals are also classified skin irritants at high concentrations and may be contaminated with formaldehyde and 1,4-Dioxane. Where you’ll find them: Propylene glycol and PEG (derived from the same chemical used to make antifreeze) can be found in deodorant, aftershave, lotion, hair gel, shampoo, and more. Schmidt’s Organic Deodorant Cream ($12; rodales.com ) skips the petroleum to keep you smelling fresh, naturally.

9. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) Why it’s bad: BHA is an endocrine disruptor that's listed as a possible carcinogen in the United States and is banned in Europe. Where you’ll find it: Concealer, mascara, blush, eyeliner, lip gloss, and even diaper cream. Where you won’t find it: Suki Correct Coverage Concealer ($30; sukiskincare.com ), made with only natural ingredients to camouflage fine lines and dark circles.

10. 1,4-Dioxane Why it’s bad: This petroleum-derived carcinogen ends up in personal care products as a byproduct of the chemical process that creates sulfates. The International Agency for Research on Cancer ranks it as a possible carcinogen, and the National Toxicology Program also calls it a reasonably anticipated carcinogen. It remains on California’s Proposition 65 list of substances known to cause cancer or birth defects, and is known (at the very least) to cause skin irritation. Where you’ll find it: Since it’s a by-product of sulfate production, it’s technically an unintentional ingredient and rarely shows up on ingredient labels. It’s usually found in bath products, as well as other personal care products that produce suds or bubbles. You can avoid it with Shea Terra Organics ' line of soothing hand and body washes. More from Prevention: 2 Free Beauty Apps That Identify Toxic Ingredients Published November 2013, Prevention | Updated November, 2013 http://www.prevention.com/beauty/beauty/10-controversial-ingredients-your-beauty-products