For the last year or two, I have stopped using certain products because I am now aware. You could live your whole life exercising, eating the healthiest of foods, staying away from cigarettes, alcohol, environmental pollutants and still get cancer or other deadly conditions from the products you put ON your body. Crazy isn't it! What makes this a serious problem is that it is hardly ever discussed in the media like most other health threats. Therefore, it is up to you to educate yourself and your loved ones.

Yesterday, Michael Baisden used his powerful radio show to shed some well needed light on the topic of poisins and carcinogens (cancer causers) in cosmetics. I'm so glad that someone did this because most of us, don't even realize what we are putting on or in your body on a daily basis. Reading labels in not common. Even if you did, you probably wouldn't know what the hell you were reading.

"Cosmetics are the least regulated products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). The FFDCA does not require pre-market safety testing, review, or approval for cosmetics. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pursues enforcement action only after the cosmetic enters into the stream of commerce or sometimes after it is on the shelf. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that 884 of the chemicals available for use in cosmetics have been reported to the government as toxic substances." - PreventCancer.com

The cosmetic companies use many ingredients that have been linked to all sorts of health problems because they are cheap or easy to come by. Their guidelines are a lot less strict than food companies so they get away with using deadly substances and sometimes not even listing all ingredients. I'm not trying to scare you are make you paranoid but I do want to open your eyes.

How to read an ingredient lists:

Now pick up a few or your favorite beauty products from your stash and see if they include any of these carcinogens, irritants, contaminants or potentially harmful yet common ingredients from the lists below.

List of proven and suspected carcinogens to avoid:

Benzyl Acetate
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Butylated Hyroxytoluene (BHT)
Butyl Benzylphthalate
Coal Tar Dyes (or dyes labeled “Lakes”)
D&C Red Dyes 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 17, 19 & 33
D&C Green 5
D&C Orange 17
FD & C Blue 1 & 2
FD & C Green 3
FD & C Red 4 & 40
FD & C Blue 1, 2 & 4
Diaminophenol
Disperse Blue 1
Disperse Yellow 3
Nitrophenylenediamine
Crystalline Silica
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Dioctyl Adipate
Formaldehyde
Glutaral
Hydroquinone
Methylene Chloride
Parabens
Phthalates
Phenol
p-Phenylenediamine
Phenyl-p-phenylenediamine
Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone
Pyrocatechol
Saccharin
Talc
Titanium Dioxide

Common Products to Check For Cancer Causer and Toxins:

Mouthwashes: Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Flavoring, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 
Feminine Products & Color Cosmetics: Talc, Toluene 
Nail Polish: Toluene 
Toothpastes: Fluoride, Sodium Fluoride, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), aluminium oxide 
Shampoos: Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Benzyl/Benzene

Conditioners: Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA) Propylene Glycol

Bubble Bath: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Benzoic/Benzyl, Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA) 
Shaving Gels/Creams: Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) 
Deodorants: Aluminum, Butane, Propane, Propylene Glycol, Talc 
Shower Bars/Gels: Bentoic/Benzyl, Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate(SLES)

Relaxers: All ingredients listed below are classified CORROSIVE.Commonly used in drain cleaners, ammonia, brake pad and pesticide manufacturing..

• Sodium hydroxide is used in lye relaxers.
• Calcium hydroxide is used in no lye relaxers.
• Hydrogen peroxide, which is a weak acid and used as a disinfectant because of its bleaching agent.
• Phosphoric acid and is considered to be a health hazard questionable of neurotoxicant, respiratory toxicant, and skin and sense organ toxicant.
• Ammonium hydroxide which maybe the cause of respiratory toxins.

Reference: Steinman, David and Epstein, Samuel, The Safe Shopper's Bible, MacMillan: New York, 1995.

Those aren't even all of the potentially harmful ones. I have put together a comprehensive, detailed list and explanation of all toxic ingredients that are in our most common personal care and cosmetic products. Check it out! You will be surprised at how many poisins you put on your body on a daily basis.

Leave your comments and reactions to this topic? I'm eager to know what you ladies think!