Toxicity in Personal Care Products - By Deanna Minich, PhD

These are my notes dated 02/19/15 from the presentation by Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS, RYT
* Link to Health Summit: Toxicity - Personal Care Recording

The five organs of detox are:  the skin, lungs, kidney, liver and gut.
See research on the EWG Site:  Environmental Working Group
See research on Safe Cosmetics.Org site:  SafeCosmetics.org

Avoid common allergens in personal care products:  BROWS (Barley, Rye, Oat, Wheat and Spelt)
Avoid  Wheat, Soy and Corn products
Avoid Vitamin E products because they often contain wheat.
Avoid oat products because they can be allergens.
Barley products are labeled as the Latin name, "Hordeum Vulgare"
Look for "GT" Gluten Free products

Avoid Parabens:   Anti-microbial preservatives typically found in deodorant and they are absorbed through skin and have been associated with certain types of tumors or cancers.
Look for "Paraben Free" products

Avoid Phthalates:  Studies show that Phthalates are linked to reproductive disordered, and development of allergies.  Mani-Pedi products contain Dibutyl-Phthalates.  Phthalates are found in perfumes, lotions, laquers, varnishes, coatings on time release medicine, and Type 3 plastic packaging of personal care products.  Phthalates can evaporate off flooring and wall coverings.  Most Americans tested by the Center for Disease Control have metabolites of multiple phthalates in their urine.  We have more pollution indoors than we have outside. So, try to get outside for fresh air.

Avoid BPA (Bisphenyl-A) and Monoethyl Phathalates:  They are xeno estrogens and they cause elevated breast density.

Avoid Polyethylene Glycol and Polyethelene Compounds:  They are frequently contaminated with other compounds like 1,4 dioxane which the US Government considers as a carcinogen and can readily penetrate the skin.

Avoid Triclosan:  Bad for the aquatic environment.  Used in anti-microbial products.  Over use of this preservative may promotes the development of bacterial resistances.  Can contain pesticide residues. Found in soap bars and shampoos.

Avoid Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS):  Found in tooth paste and shampoos and body washes.  A detergent that tends to be contaminated with other metabolites that aren't very good.  It can cause irritation, organ toxicity, reproductive problems, endocrine disruption, increased cancer risks.

Avoid FD&C Color and Pigments:  Red Dye # 40, Yellow Dye, Red # 33 are all throughout foods and personal care products.  Reduce or eliminate dyes.  See A to Z Guide to Food Additives : Never Eat What You Can't Pronounce by Deanna Minich, PhD  She plans to write a guide to personal care additives as well.

Avoid Hair Dyes:  The darker dyes are the worst.  Pregnant women should avoid all hair dyes.  Try to apply a petroleum based ointment to the scalp prior to application of the hair dye.  Reduce the time to the exposure to hair dye.

Avoid Coal Tar in Hair Dyes.  It is contained in 71% of hair dyes and is a by product of coal processing and is a human carcinogen according to the National Toxicology Program and International Agency for Research.

Avoid DMDM Hydantoin:  A preservative from Japan, may cause immune related issues.

Avoid Formadehyde:  Found in hair dyes and laundry detergent.  It is used as an embalming agent.  It is a preservative.  It's found in Round-Up Ready Corn.  It will wreck DNA and cause cancer and cause reproductive problems.  See Dr. Stephanie Seneff : On Formaldehyde (Listen @ 15 minutes)

Avoid Phenyl Methyl Pyrazolone:  An agent that comes from coal tar. Can cause head aches, cough, irritation, shortness of breath. Can cause a higher risk of learning difficulties to fetuses.

Avoid Resorcinol:  It causes thyroid problems.  The US Government regulates it in the work place but not in personal care products. 

Avoid Bronopol:  It is an anti-microbial.  It can cause irritation and develop allergies.  It releases formadehyde (it's called a formaldehyde releaser).  20% of cosmetics contain formadelhyde releasers.  See EWG : On Bronopol & Formaldehyde Releasers

Avoid Fragrances:  They have an average of 14 undisclosed chemicals on fragrance labels.  They can cause us to react.  An alternative is to use essential oils.

Avoid BHA/BHT:   These are preservatives.  BHA is listed in the State of California as a carcinogen.  The accumulated effects of using products with BHA/BHT can cause cancer.

Avoid Benzalkonium Chloride:   It's a preservative and sensitizer for people with astham and eczema.  The Cosmetic Safety Database states that this is an immune, skin and respiratory toxicative.  It has mutative effects.  This could be in skin anti-septics, hand sanitizers, and wet wipes.
See U.S. Food and Drug Administration : Cosmetics 
* Alternatives:  (1) use soap and water; or (2) dilute tea tree oil in water, add witch hazel, lavendar, aloe vera gel and Vitamin E

Avoid Oxybenzone:  Linked to irritation, sensitization and allergies, hormone disruptor.  In a study of over 400 pregnant women baby girls were born at lower weights and boys were born with higher weights.  This is contained in sun screen.

Avoid Aluminum:  Found in deodorants, in baking soda products also.

Avoid Chlorinated Paper Products:  Toilet paper and sanitary napkins

Things to Do: 

• Buy products that are:  Phthalate Free, Gluten Free, Fluoride Free, Fragrance Free
• Do not buy products with:  Artificial Sweeteners in tooth paste and mouth wash
• For Hair Care:  Choose 3 or more organic shampoos and rotate them
• Eat Well because it will give you the glow from the inside 
• Toothpaste, Teeth and Gums, Mouthwash: use neem products 
• Mouthwash:  Use coconut or sesame oil as an oil pulling mouthwash 
• Deodorant:   Eat more greens and this will bind to your toxins and carry them out of the body better. 
• Make-up:  Mineral based make-up are good, make-up containing zinc can lessen redness. 
• Eyes:  Supplement with Lutein 20 mg and Zeoxanthin on a regular basis.  It's a yellow compound in Marigolds and it can embed into the skin and help with hydration.
• Skin:  Supplement with sulphur is good for your liver health and it will help with skin.
• Use Seventh Generation and Natracare which have chlorine free paper products (toilet paper and sanitary napkins)
• Use French Green Clay to make a face mask or put in the bath water
• Use a nasal spray when traveling.  She uses an herbal nasal spray.  She uses a Neti Pot and also Sinu Orega by North American Herb and Spice.  
• Use a tongue scraper for mouth health. 
• Use bar soap for shaving cream.  She doesn't like synthetic foams in shaving creams.

Studies:  A study done by the University of Washington states that women who die their hair have a 50% risk of developing non-Hodgskins Lymphoma with prolonged use of dark hair dyes (20 years or more).


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Thank you for your attention.
Yours Truly,

Lisa Flood
Creative Soap Formulator
Email:  bizylady007@yahoo.com

Disclaimer:  This is not medical advice. I am not a medical doctor. I am not prescribing or recommending treatment. If you have a medical condition, see a medical doctor. If you choose to apply anything you learn here, then you are prescribing it for yourself.

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