Propylene Glycol (MSDS)

• Propylene glycol is in many cosmetics listed as a humectant. In skin care products, a humectant is used to help skin maintain its moisture. In actuality, propylene glycol is an industrial antifreeze that is also used in brake and hydraulic fluids along with paint and floor wax. It is a known skin irritant and it can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Many skin care products use propylene glycol including lotions creams and deodorants.
  
  

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

• Sodium lauryl sulfate and other sulfates like sodium laureth sulfate are quite possibly the most harmful ingredients in skin care products. They are known skin irritants that have been linked to skin conditions such as eczema. However, they may also cause cancer-causing dioxins and nitrates to form in the product bottles. These dioxins and nitrates can be absorbed by the skin and may cause cancer over time. This ingredient is used in many cleansers. The reason why skin care products use these ingredients is because they are cheap and they lather well.
  
  

Diethanolamine (DEA)

• DEA is used as an emulsifier, solvent, detergent and moisturizer. However, DEA can react with nitrates in products to form carcinogens. In fact, many believe that DEA may actually be a carcinogen. The National Toxicology Program or NTP studied DEA exposure on lab animals and found that there was a link between DEA and cancer in these animals. Since further testing is still being done to see if the same link exists with humans, some experts believe it is best to avoid DEA.
  
  

Parabens

• Parabens are used in many skin care products as a preservative. They are used in all types of skin care products, from makeup to shaving cream. Companies prefer parabens to more natural preservatives because they are cost effective. However, parabens may cause skin irritations like eczema, contact dermatitis and rosacea in some people. In addition to that, there is debate among the scientific community as to whether or not they may cause cancer.
  
  

Formaldehyde

• Many people are surprised to learn that the very same substance that is used to embalm the human body after death is used in skin care products. Formaldehyde is used in may products for the exact same reason because it is a preservative. However, formaldehyde is also toxic and it is a known skin irritant and carcinogen.