Leading Toxic Beauty Ingredients to Avoid

Traditional beauty products can be loaded with toxins and chemicals, so it’s best to take the"Informed Beauty" route to the most natural products.

DEA, TEA Purpose/Usage: foaming agent Avoid because: skin sensitizer, can form carcinogenic compounds when mixed with certain cosmetic ingredients Products found in: makeup, body wash, shampoo, skincare How to identify on a label: DEA, Diethanolamine, TEA, Triethanolamine

Phthalates Purpose/Usage: often used as a carrier for synthetic fragrance Avoid because: can negatively affect fertility and fetal development, considered a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organizaiton Products found in: hair spray, lipstick, perfume and nail polish How to identify on a label: Benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP), Di-n-butyl phthalate or Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Diethyl phthalate (DEP), and sometimes Fragrance Formaldehyde Purpose/Usage: an impurity released by some chemical preservatives Avoid because: carcinogenic, skin and lung irritant, gastrointestinal or liver toxicant and neurotoxin Products found in: nail polish, deodorant, shampoo How to identify on a label: Formaldehyde, Formalin, Urea, Diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, Quaternium-15, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, and Sodium hydroxylmethylglycinate Parabens Purpose/Usage: synthetic preservative Avoid because: found in breast tissue, acts like estrogen in the body, could lead to impaired fertility or fetal development Products found in: soap, skincare, body care, hair care, toothpaste, deodorant How to identify on a label: alkyl parahydroxybenzoate, butylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparabens

Ammonia/Hair Color Purpose/Usage: A gas with an extremely sharp, pungent, irritating odor. Avoid because: Repetitve contact will dry the skin and damage skin cells and eventually cause serious skin complications. Exposure to  fumes will damage eyes, liver, kidneys, and lungs. Long term exposure to ammonia fumes can cause obesity, depression, and social anxiety disorder.

Products found in: Ammonia fumes come from the substance of Ammonia Hydroxide. It is commonly used in the hair color to open the hair cuticle How to identify on a label:

  Petrolatum Purpose/Usage: used as an emollient or lubricant Avoid because: commonly contain impurities linked to cancer Products found in: skincare, body care, lip balm, makeup How to identify on a label: petrolatum, petroleum jelly, mineral oil Propylene Glycol Purpose/Usage: helps a product to retain moisture Avoid because: penetration enhancer (alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to more easily enter the system) Products found in: skincare, hair care, body care, makeup, baby care products, contact lens cleaner How to identify on a label: Propylene Glycol, Proptylene Glycol, 1,2-Propanediol. Related synthetics: PEG (polyethylene glycol) and PPG (polypropylene glycol)

Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate Purpose/Usage: makes a product foamy Avoid because: penetration enhancer (alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to more easily enter the system) Products found in: shampoo, facial cleansers, body wash, bubble bath, baby bath, toothpaste How to identify on a label: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Anhydrous Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Irium 1,4 Dioxane Purpose/Usage: a chemical by-product of ethoxylation, an ingredient processing method used to make petro-ingredients less irritating to skin Avoid because: carcinogenic, suspected cardiovascular and blood toxicant, gastrointestinal toxicant, immunotoxicant, kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant, respiratory toxicant, skin toxicant Products found in: shampoo, facial cleansers, body wash, bubble bath, baby bath, liquid soap How to identify on a label: because 1,4 Dioxane is a contaminant produced during the manufacturing process, FDA does not require it to be listed on a product ingredient listing.  Look  for common ingredients which may contain the impurity, identifiable by the prefix or designations of 'PEG,' '–eth–,' 'Polyethylene,' 'Polyethylene glycol' 'Polyoxyethylene,' or '–oxynol–' (FDA 2007).

Synthetic Colorants (FD&C colors) Purpose/Usage: coal tar (petroleum) derived and commonly tested on animals due to their carcinogenic properties, used to artificially color a cosmetic product Avoid because: can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions Products found in: shampoo, facial cleansers, body wash, skincare, baby care products, hair care, makeup How to identify on a label: FD&C or D&C followed by a name and number (FD&C RED NO. 40)

Synthetic Fragrances Purpose/Usage: combination of chemical ingredients used to artificially scent a cosmetic product Avoid because: can cause allergic reactions, headache, dizziness, and rash (children tend to be particularly sensitive), respiratory distress, and possible effects to reproductive system Products found in: hair care, skin care, makeup, body care, perfume How to identify on a label: fragrance, parfum (It is important to note that the terms “fragrance” or “parfum” sometimes occur on an ingredient listing which contains natural fragrance ingredients and no chemical ingredients. This is most often due to manufacturer trade secret and should be disclosed on the label.) Synthetic Sunscreens Purpose/Usage: provide sun protection Avoid because: have been found to mimic estrogen in the body potentially causing hormonal disruption, can also cause skin irritation and easily absorb in to the skin Products found in: sunscreens, facial moisturizer, lip protection How to identify on a label: 4-Methyl-Benzylidencamphor (4-MBC), Oxybenzone Benzophenone-3, Octyl-methoyl-cinnamates (OMC), Octyl-Dimethyl-Para-Amino-Benzoic Acid (OD-PABA), Homosalate(HMS) Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) Purpose/Usage: widely used as a preservative Avoid because: possible neurotoxin, possible health risks to unborn babies, allergic reactions Products found in: hair care, body wash, sunscreen, skin care How to identify on a label: 3 (2h) -Isothiazolone, 2-Methyl-; Methylchloroisothiazolinone225methylisothiazolinone Solution; 2-Methyl-3 (2h) -Isothiazolone; 2-Methyl-4-Isothiazolin-3-One; 2-Methyl- 3 (2h) -Isothiazolone; 2-Methyl-2h-Isothiazol-3-One; 3 (2h) Isothiazolone, 2methyl; 2-Methyl-3 (2h) -Isothiazolone; 2-Methyl-4-Isothiazolin-3-One

Lead Purpose/Usage: a contaminant of chemical color additives Avoid because: a known neurotoxin, linked to brain damage, miscarriage, lowered IQ, increased aggression, and learning disabilities Products found in: many conventionally produced lipsticks contain lead, as do some nail polish, hair color, and whitening toothpastes How to identify on a label: C.I. 77575; Glover; Ks-4; Lead (Acgih) ; Lead Flake; Lead Inorganic; Lead S2; Olow (Polish)

The Cocktail of a Chemical: Informed Beauty Guide.

We tend to forget that the skin is the largest organ of the body,and every day we apply a chemical cocktail of substances in ignorant bliss, there is continual studies suggesting that up to 60% of anything applied topically can be absorbed into our bodies. As the average woman uses up to 10-14 different skincare and cosmetic products each day, this calculates a high level of different chemicals each year seeping into our systems.

So why does this matter?

With many of the synthetic ingredients used in everyday skin care being potentially toxic to humans, you may like to reconsider some of the following:

Petrochemical derived ingredients (such as mineral oil) are extensively used in skin care as they help prevent water loss. While this may seem beneficial, they actually prevent the skin from breathing by forming an occlusive barrier, disrupting the skins normal functioning.

Parabens (a common preservative) have demonstrated oestrogen mimicking activity which disrupts the body's normal hormonal balance. In addition, parabens have also been shown to cause abnormalities in cell reproduction, an issue also associated with cancerous cells.

Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLS) (a foaming agent) used in toothpaste, shampoo and foaming cleansers. Numerous trials showed that SLS can increase transdermal water loss causing the skin to become dehydrated and cause skin irritation.

Phthalates are a group of synthetic chemicals that are used in the production of various substances such as plastics, beauty products and artificial fragrances. Phthalates can interfere with reproductive tissues in both men and women leading to issues such as infertility and birth defects. Specifically it targets the testes in men and breast tissue in women.

Parfum and synthetic fragrances are the most common cause of adverse skin reactions. Propylene glycol is implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities. It also damages cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage.

Finding safe and natural products can often be confusing - at Kasia Organic Salon, we have removed any guessing game from your "Beautiful Health" hair, skin, and service needs.

Ultimately, what you use on your hair or skin is an individual choice, and issues such as skincare goals, sensitivities or allergies, and personal values need to be taken into consideration. If you do choose to avoid ingredients such as those above the best way to do so is by reading product labels and making an informed decision. But if reading packages is not your style, it's usually safe to say that organic ingredients are best.

Kasia Organic Salon continues to launch options that are safe for you and your family.  Drop us a line or stop in for a consultation and learn more about our Ammonia Free Hair Color, Smoothing treatments, Medical Grade Facials, and more! 

Article Source: Ananda Mahoney

The vicious cycle of Silica + SLS and your hair!

Are you experiencing dry hair?  Limp with excess frizz?Do your hair products contain Silica or sodium laurel sulphate (SLS)  ?

Does this sound familiar?  The cycle of hair washing goes like this........

• we shampoo our hair because it is dirty
• the SLS in the shampoo strips the hair and scalp of natural oils so both are dry and hair is flyaway or frizzy
• we use conditioner with silica to reduce the frizziness created by the SLS
• the silica builds up on our hair leaving it feeling a bit flat and dull looking
• and start all over again, never getting the results we want so change products always looking for something that will give us healthy, shiny hair

Well this is the  story of many of our new clients anyway!  When you invest in a good natural or organic shampoo & conditioner for at least a month, it can take time to really see results when moving away from SLS and silica. Regardless, do yourself a favor and ditch the sodium laurel sulphate.

The Kasia Team suggests:

Kasia Spicy Citrus Shampoo and Weigh-less Organic Conditioner

Free of petrochemicals, parabens, synthetics, and colors. Ideal for colored hair and suitable for all hair types.  We use simple “beautiful health” ingredients you can trust with your hair and body and safe for the whole family.

Quick recommendations for healthy hair growth

• Use a shampoo and conditioner which contain no petrochemicals such as lauryl sulfate.
• If your public water supply uses chlorine to kill bacteria, use a shower filter to reduce chlorine exposure on your scalp (and lungs).
• Take a probiotic,  multivitamin, Omega 3, and products containing antioxidants to promote general health and micro-circulation.
• Use essential oils to promote hair health

Two Major Hair Issues

For many men and women, the loss of their hair is a devastating sign of encroaching old age. Male pattern baldness affects 40 million adult males in the United States. But approximately 20 million American women also suffer from some type of hair loss. The causes vary widely - genetics, stress, diet and environmental pollutants. And the solutions are just as plentiful.

For some people, the goal of beautiful, lustrous hair is elusive. The skin is known as the largest organ of the body, yet the surface area of your hair far exceeds that of your skin. You realize this when you return from a place where people are smoking, from a BBQ, or some other event where there are smells in the air.  Your hair needs internal and external protection against everyday assaults from contaminants and pollutants.

What you don't subject your hair and scalp to is potentially more important than what you apply to your hair.  Avoid application of toxic petrochemicals and sterilizing agents to your hair and scalp and you will be on the way to sustained healthy hair growth.

Don't Be Deceived

One thing is clear. Mainstream shampoos and conditioners that claim to be helpful to your hair and scalp are often more marketing claims than scientific or even good sense.  Many even accelerate hair loss.

The skin and the scalp are body organs, actually the largest organ in the body. They absorb the chemicals that are applied to it, which can either have positive or negative effects.

Call us today to schedule a Hair Health Consultation or service!  612 824 7611

Hair products containing toxic chemicals promote hair loss

Call Kassie today for a Free Consult on how to combat HAIR LOSS, most likely due to lifestlye, nutrition, and personal care use....

"Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the dominant ingredient in almost all shampoos sold in traditional outlets such as supermarkets, drugstores and discount centers. In addition to having toxic effects on your immune system, SLS has been shown to corrode hair follicles and impede hair growth. It has been blamed for many cases of hair loss. The Material Safety Data Sheet provided by the U.S. government says exposure to SLS can lead to burning, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and vomiting. The American College of Toxicology says SLS stays in the body for up to five days and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, brain, and lungs.

Over-treated hair is another cause of hair loss in women. Hair dyes, permanents, and relaxers do serious damage to the hair and scalp whether they contain lye or not. They are made with toxic chemicals that must be detoxified by the liver, and are identified by the immune system as foreign invaders. Thus health of the liver and the immune system are compromised by use of these products. When the liver is busy trying to detoxify an onslaught of foreign chemicals, estrogen metabolism may not be properly completed and breast cancer may be promoted. An immune system busy fighting off an invasion of foreign chemicals may not be able to prevent infection or identify and destroy abberant cells. Damage from dyes and relaxers can only heal when those potions are no longer used on the hair."

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