by Miranda Voth

A couple weeks back, I met the owner of Pir Cosmetics at a party. We talked about WP and my beauty articles; he asked what products I prefer. I told him I am trying out a couple different natural and organic options, in search of what I will stick with.

“Don’t you think all this natural stuff is a fad? Because I think it’s just a trend,” he said. I got a little defensive and replied: “Maybe when I’m old I’ll think it’s okay to lather on chemicals to look good, but for now I’m proud of my efforts.”

Then I started to wonder if he's right. Is the importance of a "natural" or "organic" label just a marketing fad? Are there actually harmful ingredients in my beauty products? On average I use a shampoo, conditioner, lip balm, concealer, mascara, soap, toothpaste, contact lense solution, moisturizer (body and face), and acne treatment every day. So, I did some research.

It turns out there are hundreds of unwanted additives in each product I'd been using. Checking the back of the tube or jar and Google the ingredients; some pretty harmful toxins are hidden behind words like “fragrance” and “colour.” Scientific testing done by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Skin Deep in the U.S. (most of my products aren’t Canadian brands, unfortunately) showed phthalates, sensitizers, neurotoxins and aluminum compounds are sometimes not accounted for, because they are what the industry calls a “trade secret.”

Here's what these ingredients can potentially do to your body:

1.Phthalates are chemical compounds used in cosmetics to hold colour and scent. Have you ever smelled a vinyl shower curtain? Phthalates are responsible for that sickening aroma. And if a chemical that smells like that wasn't enough to convince me to go natural, the fact that phthalates interfere with reproductive functioning by reducing the levels of sex hormones in my body was. Hormones are needed for reproductive development and functioning. Additional research suggests that these same mechanisms may link phthalates to breast cancer. As for men, phthalates can cause sperm damage, feminization of baby boys, and infertility.

2. Since no one would be interested in using a body butter that smells like a car tire, someone came up with a way to cover up the stench. Sensitizers are toxins used to cover up such smells and are often categorized on the ingredient list as a "fragrance" or "preservative." Sensitizers can cause you to develop an allergic reaction in normal tissue after repeated exposure to the product. One in every 50 people may suffer immune system damage from fragrance, according to the European Union's Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-food Products. Developing hyper pigmentation or eczema are also risks of being exposed to sensitizers.

3. Parabens are a hot topic in the news these days. They are used as a low-cost preservative because of their antibacterial and antifungal properties. They are also called Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben and can be found in almost any product including shampoos, moisturizers, and even personal lubricants. Parabens can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, and have been found in tumors thought to be caused by products applied to the skin. Doctors and scientists are still testing to confirm if parabens are linked to breast cancer, but in the mean time, I’m going to skip using them.

4. Lead was proven to be toxic to humans for years but it and other neurotoxins are still being used in some products. Neurotoxins act specifically on nerve cells by attacking membrane proteins and nerve tissue. They can cause learning, language, and behavioral problems such as increased aggression and lowered IQ. Neurotoxins such as lead are found in products like black hair dyes for men and lipsticks.

5. I am always going on about natural deodorant and the risks of using antiperspirants. I don’t even care if you use a non-natural deodorizer, just as long as it doesn’t contain Aluminium! Good luck finding one, and if you do please let me know. Aluminium is thought to contribute to Alzheimer's Disease. And aluminium compounds, which are applied frequently as antiperspirant and left on the skin near the breast, could result in estrogen-like behavior. The hormone has been known to promote the growth of breast cancer cells and so some doctors speculate it could be a cause of breast cancer.

To find out how your products fare, and learn about more natural alternates, Skin Deep has a comprehensive database of both offenders and shining stars.

Let Miranda Voth know what natural products you love under this posting.