THE DIRTY DOZEN – 12 KNOWN OR SUSPECTED CARCINOGENS TO AVOID

If you eat organic foods, you must believe that what you put in your body is important.  By choosing organic, you avoid ingesting harmful chemicals and

other potential toxins.

Because science has shown that what you put on your body is absorbed into your bloodstream, in quantities as high as 60-80%, you may want to consider

carefully researching the ingredients in your personal care products, which are unregulated in the U.S. 

We suggest avoiding the following ingredients, which are commonly found in conventional products.  Healthy alternatives do exist….

1) DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine) & TEA (Triethanolamine).  Common preservatives & hormone disrupting chemicals that form

cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines.

2) FD&C and D&C colors, including coal tar.  Carcinogenic and found in most conventional color cosmetics.  Synthetic petroleum products made

from coal tar, containing toxic heavy metal salts.

3) Ethoxylated ingredients.  Generate 1,4 Dioxane, a carcinogen and ground water contaminate, also suspected of being a kidney, brain and

respiratory toxicant.  Watch for; “myreth”, “oleth”, “laureth”, “ceteareth”, “PEG”, “polyethylene”, polyoxyethylene” or “oxynol”.

4) Fragrances.  Synthetic petroleum bi-products containing phthalates (see below). The word “fragrance” is a loophole which can hide up to 4,000

other harmful chemicals. Three-quarters of personal care products contain phthalates, without being labeled.

5) Hydroquinone.  One of the most toxic and carcinogenic ingredients in the cosmetic industry.  Used as a bleaching agent for freckles and age

spots.  Toxicity so high death can result from exposure to 5 grams. Recently under investigation by the FDA, banned in EU.

6) Mercury.  Also known as thimerosal, is commonly found in eyeliner, mascara & skin lightening cream.  Known to cause neurological disorders.

7) Mineral Oil.   Comedogenic (pore clogging) petroleum bi-product and a known carcinogen.  Impedes the elimination of toxins and promotes

acne and premature aging.

8) Phthalates.  An endocrine disruptor, shown to “significantly increase cell proliferation in human breast cancer cells” .  Also known as dibutyl

phthalate or DBP, this chemical is a plasticizer found in conventional personal care products.  Banned in the EU and are often hidden in US products

under the word “fragrance”.  Phthalates are hormone-disrupting chemicals which accumulate in fatty tissue.

9) Parabens.  The most commonly used, petrochemically derived cosmetic preservatives, are the parabens.  Butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, propyl and

isopropyl-parabens mimic estrogen. The 1/04 Journal of Applied Toxicology reported parabens in 18 of 20 breast cancer tumors.

10) Propylene Glycol ‘PEG’.  An easily absorbed solvent.  Considered toxic and highly irritating - causes liver abnormalilties and kidney damage

in lab animals.

11) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES).  Detergents and surfactants which are used in car washes, garage floor

cleansers and engine degreasers and in 90% of personal care products that foam.  Combined with other chemicals, can be transformed

into nitrosamines.

12) Ureas, Imidazolidinyl & DMDM Hydantion.   Preservatives that release formaldehyde, a known carcinogenic agent which additionally

weakens the immune system.