1. Sunday, January 10, 2016
Get To Know The Dirty Dozen
of Skin Care
It is said that beauty is only skin deep. But at Max & Madeleine, we know that when it
comes to our beauty regimen and skincare products, chemicals go deeper. And it may
surprise you to know just how deep.
Thanks to the organic food movement, we’ve become more aware and alert about what
we consume and put into our bodies. Yet, people are painfully unaware about the
chemicals lacing their skincare products. Skin is highly permeable, allowing for a greater
opportunity for absorption. So the products we so willingly slather over our skin can be
absorbed into the skin and bloodstream.
Dr. Samuel Epstein, who is the former Head of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, stated
‘it is more dangerous to put a product on your skin than it is to eat it.’ So while it is
imperative to be aware of the kind of food we eat, we must become more concerned
with that which we put on our skin!
Thanks to very big and unfortunate loopholes in U.S. federal law, the FDA does not
regulate the personal care products industry. This means chemicals that are linked to
cancer, infertility and birth defects are knowingly added to our skincare products on a
regular basis. Do we trust that cosmetic companies will do their due diligence and issue
safe products?

2. The following is a list of 12 chemicals commonly found in skincare products and
cosmetics, affectionately known as “The Dirty Dozen.” In a recent study conducted by
the David Suzuki Foundation, it was found that nearly 80% of cosmetic products
surveyed contained at least one of the ingredients found on the Dirty Dozen list.
Here is what to look out for, in alphabetical order:
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated
Hydroxytoluen)
Common preservatives, BHA and BHT are found mainly in moisturizers and makeup.
Frighteningly, these are preservatives even found in food! BHA and BHT are known to
have adverse affects on the reproductive system and immune system. They are
suspected to disrupt the endocrine system and may cause cancer.
Coal Tar Dyes
Also known as PAH’s (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), Coal Tar Dyes occur
naturally in coal, crude oil and gasoline. These are found commonly in shampoos and
cosmetics that are dyed (such as hair dye). Coal Tar Dyes are recognized as a human
carcinogen, and many contain low levels of heavy metals, which can be linked to brain
damage.
DEA-Related Ingredients (Diethanolamine)
DEA compounds are the chemicals used to make our cosmetics creamy and foamy, so
they are routinely used in moisturizers and shampoos. On a surface level, DEA’s can
cause skin and eye irritation. High doses of DEA can cause cancer.
DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate)

3. Nail care products, such as nail polish, use Dibutyl Phthalate as a solvent for dyes. It is
also used as a plasticizer, which keeps nail polishes from becoming brittle. It is banned
from being an ingredient in cosmetics in Europe. The effects of DBP are far-reaching.
For adults, DBP impairs fertility. For young girls, Dibutyl Phthalate has been shown to
cause early puberty. And there is evidence that it leads to developmental defects in
unborn babies.
Formaldehyde (and Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives)
Formaldehyde is a preservative used to increase the shelf life of cosmetics. It is a
known carcinogen, as well as a toxin to the immune system. Cosmetics which utilize
Formaldehyde continuously release small amounts of the chemical, which are leeched
into the body.
Parabens
Parabens are chemicals with many uses for the cosmetic industry, including as a
preservative and antifungal/antimicrobial agent. 75-90% of cosmetics contain parabens,
and are most commonly found in lotions, creams and underarm deodorant. Parabens
are some of the chemicals most easily absorbed by the skin, and linked to breast
cancer, male reproductive functions, hormonal disruptions and DNA damage. Not-so-
Fun Fact: parabens are registered with the government as a pesticide!
Parfum (Fragrance)
We love to smell good, right? Unfortunately, there is a price to pay to enhance your
scent: the 3000 different chemicals that are used to create synthetic fragrances are
linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, triggering allergies and asthma, and
even cancer. Parfum has been found in some products marketed as “unscented.”
PEG Compounds (Polyethylene Glycols)

4. If you use cream-based cosmetics, you have most likely encountered PEG’s. They are
used as softeners, solvents, thickeners and moisture-carriers. Polyethylene Glycols are
shown to irritate the skin, but have also been linked to contaminants that cause cancer.
Petrolatum
Petrolatum is a mineral jelly oil used in hair products, lip balms and moisturizers to lock
in moisture. It is the bi-product of the manufacturing of sudsing cosmetics including
shampoos, body wash and children’s bath products. Europe has deemed Petrolatum as
a carcinogen and restricts it being used in cosmetics. And while it is ranked as a
possible carcinogen in America, the United States government has placed no
restrictions on its usage. Petrolatum may also cause allergies or skin irritation in small
doses.
Siloxanes
Siloxanes are used in hair care products and deodorants to soften, smooth and
moisten. They also aide hair products in drying more quickly. When checking ingredient
lists, look for words ending in ‘-siloxane’ or ‘-methicone.’ Siloxanes inhibits hormone
function, and have been found to harm the reproductive and immune systems. They
may also impair fertility.
SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Laurate or Lauryl
Sulphate)
SLS’s are used to make cosmetic products foamy, and therefore found in shampoos,
cleansers, bubble baths and cleaning detergents. These chemicals can be
contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both of which may cause cancer.
SLS’s can have an adverse affect on the nervous system and human development.
They are not easily broken down, and may remain in the environment for a long time.

5. Triclosan
This chemical can be found as an antibacterial agent in cosmetics products such as
toothpaste, cleanser, antiperspirant/deodorant and hand sanitizer. This is another
cosmetic ingredient that has been classified as a pesticide by the US government. Not
only is it an endocrine disrupter, but it disrupts normal breast growth and contributes to
bacterial resistance.
Eye-opening, isn’t it? While we cannot speak for other companies in the skincare
industry, we at Max & Madeleine promise to never use any of these harmful ingredients
in our products. We pride ourselves on being a brand families can trust. Our products
are 100% safe and non-toxic. We use only the finest and most pure ingredients to
create the best products for your family.
Check back in the near future for more skincare news and updates about our products!
Posted in: Ingredient Info
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