Hedgerow Herbals ~ Natural Skincare

Ingredients to be wary of
The skin is the body’s largest organ. The outer layer of the skin is made up of about 15 layers of flat, dead cells – this can be penetrated quite well by some oils and alcohols, so they are often used in skin products to help carry the active ingredients into the deeper layers. This means most of our exposure to the chemicals in cosmetics is via the skin. Powerful scientific evidence points to some of the 85,000 synthetic chemicals in use today as responsible for many of the unexplained cases of cancer in general and potentially also of breast cancer.

Very importantly for eczema sufferers in more recent times, the incidence of severe eczema seems to be directly related to the proliferation of chemicals in our diets, environment and in personal care products applied to the skin and used in the mouth. Toiletries, which at first glance would appear innocuous and benign could well be a major contributing factor in the onset of eczema and other disorders in children and adults alike. Many of the toxic chemicals in toiletries could be more harmful than ever thought possible

DEA - Diethanolamine

DEA is a solvent and detergent. It carries the possibility of the formation of nitrosamines. Most nitrosamines are carcinogenic.

Ethyl Alchohol/Ethanol

Can cause dryness and irritation and lets impurities be absorbed as it makes the skin more permeable.

Formaldehyde

Still found in cheap bath oils and bubbles baths. It is an irritant as well as a carcinogen and a possible suspect in sensitising young children.

Fragrance or Parfum

Perfume is one of the main causes of allergy and irritation in skincare products, with watery eyes, red irritated skin and allergic reactions all attributed to it. Most perfumes contain around 95% synthetic chemicals. Although some people are occasionally allergic to essential oils thie is far less common. Current legislation does not restrict the quantities or combinations of fragrance chemicals that maybe used in cosmetics. According to the cosmetics industry a typical cosmetic often contains between 50 and 100 fragrances. Children in particular tend to be more sensitive to fragrances, and can develop allergic reactions easily. With current legislation, manufacturers do not have to state whether phthalates are present in their fragrances or not.

Parabens
Parabens have been detected in human breast tissue and, although not yet conclusively linked as a possible cause of breast cancer, evidence now suggests they can act as oestrogen mimics. This is especially worrying for women when lifetime increased exposure to oestrogen is linked to a heightened risk of breast cancer. Propyl paraben, has been shown to adversely affect male reproductive functions; at the “daily intake level” currently acceptable under EC law, it decreased daily sperm production. A recent study by researchers at Reading University shows that these chemicals commonly used in deodorants and other cosmetics have contaminated the human breast. Out of 20 human breast tumours analysed parabens were found in 18 of them.

Phthalates

A large family of synthetic chemicals linked to decreased fertility and reproductive defects. In November 2002, the EU amended the Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EEC to order the removal of two phthalates in the very near future because of their reproductive toxicity (DEHP and DBP). The EU previously classified both phthalates as substances, "…which should be regarded as if they impair fertility in humans" and substances, "…which should be regarded as if they cause developmental toxicity to humans."

Triclosan
Used in toothpaste, soaps, household cleaning products, body washes and vaginal washes, Swedish research in 2002 found high levels of triclosan in 60% of human breast milk samples. Environmentally, triclosan is also a problem, and can be converted to dioxin (linked to cancer) when exposed to sunlight in water.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
This is a foaming detergent derived from plant (coconut, palm) or animal sources. The family includes sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulphate and ammonium laureth sulphate. The first is the strongest, the last the weakest. SLS is highly irritating to people with sensitive skin. Washing hair with shampoo with SLS often results in aggravated skin on the fingers and sore patches on the neck.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate started its career as an industrial degreasant and garage floor cleaner. When applied to human skin it has the effect of stripping off the oil layer and then irritating and eroding the skin, leaving it rough and pitted. It is most commonly found in shampoos, soaps and toothpastes.

TEA - triethanolamine

TEA is a possible irritant and sensitiser