Toxic Cosmetic 'Dirty Dozen' Revealed

A recent study conducted by the David Suzuki Foundation found that 80 percent of the most commonly used cosmetic products contain at least one ingredient from the twelve sets of chemicals that are linked to a number of health and environmental concerns, such as cancer, reproductive disorders, asthma and severe allergies.

These twelve ingredients, known as the "Dirty Dozen", were found amongst more than 12,500 personal care products -including toothpaste, shampoos, soaps and deodorants- from more than 6,200 survey participants. "Our survey results indicate the widespread presence of a ‘dirty dozen’ ingredients in products that we use on our bodies every day," she said. "Clearly, we need more effective regulatory action to keep these potentially harmful chemicals out of consumer products," Said Lisa Gue, the group's health policy analyst.

The results? The most commonly reported ingredient was parfum (or fragrance), which represents a number of unspecified fragrance chemicals where over 3,000 chemicals are used as fragrances. Parfum has been linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. The second and third commonly reported ingredient include PEGs and Parabens, respectively. Both chemicals penetrate the skin, interfering with hormone function.

Read the entire report on the David Suzuki Foundation website.

So what are the dirty dozen?

1. BHA and BHT: Used in moisturizers as preservatives, the suspected endocrine disruptors may cause cancer and are known to be harmful to fish and other wildlife

2. Coal-tar dyes: such as p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as CI followed by five digits. These are used in some hair dyes, and some may be contaminated with heavy metals which are toxic to the brain.

3. DEA, cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA: Used in some creamy and foaming moisturizers and shampoos. Can react to form nitrosamines, which may cause cancer. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

4. Dibuytl phthalate: Used as a plasticizer in some nail-care products. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

5. Formaldehyde releasing preservatives: such as DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quarternium-15 and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate. Used in a variety of cosmetics. Slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.

6. Paraben, methylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben: Used in a variety of cosmetics as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disrupters and may interfere with male reproductive functions.

7. Parfum: Any mixture of fragrance ingredients used in a variety of cosmetics. Some fragrance ingredients can trigger allergies and asthma. Some linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Some harmful to fish and other wildlife.

8. PEG Compounds such as PEG-60: Used in some cosmetic cream bases. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer.

9. Petrolatum: Used in some hair products for shine and as a moisture barrier in some lip balms, lip sticks and moisturizers. A petroleum product that can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may cause cancer.

10. Siloxanes: cyclotetrasiloxane, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane and cyclopethicone: Used in a variety of cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane). Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

11. Sodium laureth sulphate: Used in some foaming cosmetics, such as shampoos, cleansers and bubble bath. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer.

12. Triclosan: Used in some antibacterial cosmetics, such as toothpastes, cleansers and deodorants. Suspected endocrine disrupter and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

Courtesy: David Suzuki Foundation