I heard about this website called www.cosmeticsdatabase.com where one can look up toxicity levels of their favorite cosmetics (shampoos, soaps, skin creams, makeup, etc). I was flabbergasted when I realized what I was consuming. As someone who takes special care to make sure that there are no sulfides in her dried fruit, it was devastating to know that most cosmetics I use contain bioaccumulative chemicals (meaning that they resist normal chemical breakdown in the environment). Many other chemicals are known for neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity, developmental /reproductive toxicity and the list goes on.

 
So, I decided to grab some toxicity statistics on the leading brands in shampoo, body wash, skin cream, mascara and lipstick. The results to my search are shocking:

 
SHAMPOO- Herbal Essences Drama Clean Refreshing Shampoo

·      Received a 5 out of 10 hazard rating (10 being the most hazardous) for ingredients being linked to restrictions and warnings, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, enhanced skin absorption and irritation.

BODY WASH- AXE Revitalizing Shower Gel Phoenix

·      Received a 6 out of 10 hazard rating (10 being the most hazardous) for ingredients being linked to cancer, restrictions and warnings, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, enhanced skin absorption and irritation.

BODYWASH- Dove All Day Body Wash, Sensitive Skin

·      Received a 5 out of 10 hazard rating (10 being the most hazardous) for ingredients being linked to restrictions and warnings, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, enhanced skin absorption and irritation.

SKIN CREAM- Olay Anti-Wrinkle Mature Skin Night Firming Cream

·      Received a 7 out of 10 hazard rating (10 being the most hazardous) for ingredients being linked to restrictions and warnings, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, enhanced skin absorption and irritation, bioaccumulative chemicals and developmental/reproductive toxicity.

MASCARA- Cover Girl Exact Eyelights Black Mascara Saphhire 710

·      Received a 9 out of 10 hazard rating (10 being the most hazardous) for ingredients being linked to restrictions and warnings, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, enhanced skin absorption and irritation, bioaccumulative chemicals, developmental/reproductive toxicity, and biochemical or cellular level changes.

LIPSTICK- Revlon Moon Drops Lipstick Frost Gold Dipped Rose

·      Received a 9 out of 10 hazard rating (10 being the most hazardous) for ingredients being linked to restrictions and warnings, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, enhanced skin absorption and irritation, bioaccumulative chemicals, developmental/reproductive toxicity, and biochemical or cellular level changes.

 

Let’s get this straight….I am not naïve. But, had I known the severity of the chemicals used in most body care products, I would have never purchased them. The ugly truth is that most people don’t realize what is in their skin care products, just like me. Now that I am more educated, I am switching my products over to 100% organic (or close to it) and staying clear of parabens, EDTA, sulfates, and parfums to name the worst offenders. Although a more costly option, I believe that soon the shift will be made where the more demand for natural products, the more companies will start switching over. For more information, click here