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You’d Be Surprised What’s In the Innocent
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What would you say if I told you that the second most popular lotion had many of the same ingredients and many of the same risks? That sweet smelling, pastel colored lotion, shampoo, conditioner or cream could be filled with potentially harmful ingredients that could harm your baby. Imagine if instead of caring for your baby, you were actually harming her. Imagine if the products you used on him had a long term residual effect of affecting his hormones, exposing him to cancer causing substances, accumulating toxins? It’s a mother’s worst nightmare.
No One Is Looking out for You and Your Baby -
How can this happen? Isn’t there some government agency that oversees what we put on our babies’ bodies as well as our own? Isn’t SOMEONE supposed to make sure products are safe? Every consumer need to know that the government does not require health studies or pre-market testing for personal care products before they are sold. That means there is NO GUARANTEE that the chemicals in products like shampoos, conditioners, lotions, powders, mascara, etc. have been tested or regulated at all for safety, contamination, skin sensitivity, cancer risk, etc. Some shampoos even contain colors additives that have NOT been approved for use around the eyes or have not been approved in products intended for eyes. You can’t be sure that what’s in these products you use on your baby, your family or yourself is safe.
The government approves seven new chemicals a day and 80% are approved in 3 weeks or less. A manufacturer may use almost any raw material an ingredient without approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The cosmetic and personal care product industry policies itself and has reviewed the safety of less than 15% of the over 10,000 ingredients registered for use with the Environmental Protection Agency. 89% of those ingredients have not been evaluated by ANY agency responsible for our safety.
The chemicals in your bottles represent carcinogens (cancer causers), pesticides, reproductive toxins, degreasers and more. More than a third of those products contain at least one ingredient that has been linked to cancer in some studies. More than half contain ingredients that help these poisons get into your blood stream more easily. Almost 80% contain ingredients that may contain impurities known to cause cancer and other problems. Some are merely known allergens or irritants. The oversight group for this industry, the Cosmetics Ingredients Review (CIR) commissioned a study in 2003. They found that 100% of the baby lotions studied contained ingredients which had insufficient research demonstrating their safety. More than half (59%) contained ingredients that were known allergens. The CIR, the only organization reviewing ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products, has failed to review one third of the top 50 ingredients commonly used in those products.
SKIN DEEP, a project by a non-profit research and advocacy organization called EWG (Environmental Working Group) assessed 14,406 products and the 6,959 ingredients that form them to assess their safety and effect on the environment. 1 out of every 10 products contained ingredients that can combine with other chemicals to form nitrosamines, which have been found to be cancer causing in more species than any other carcinogen. They also found that 40% of baby lotions and oils contained petrolatum (petroleum jelly), which is regulated for use in food by the FDA and is banned for use in cosmetics in the European Union. Petrolatum can be contaminated with polycyclic hydrocarbons, which are dangerous carcinogens. Nearly 70 percent of all the products they evaluated contained ingredients that can be contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other health problems. Even worse, this was true of more than 80 percent of all baby bath products.
Again, one of the most well known body washes by a household name in baby care has 15 ingredients that are of questionable safety. Researchers are concerned about cancer hazard, reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, irritation and toxic chemicals. You absorb up to 60& of any substance applied to your skin. Your baby is even more vulnerable. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and private research, babies and small children are anywhere from 10 to 60 percent more sensitive to most chemicals than adults. We’re all even more at risk because of penetration enhancers that help these other ingredients penetrate the skin and enter your blood stream. 57% of products contain these “penetration enhancers. ”
We don’t know yet at how much and how often your baby needs to be exposed to these unnatural ingredients to be at risk. – But why risk your baby’s health at all…or yours? A product that uses “Natural” in the name, doesn’t guarantee natural ingredients in the bottle. “Natural” skincare products only need 1% natural ingredients to be called natural. For your baby’s sake and your own, read labels and look for products that are truly natural, truly botanically based, without dangerous or untested chemicals.
Here are chemicals you’ll never find in Nature’s Baby Products and ones you may want to eliminate from your make-up drawer and bathroom. You’ll be shocked to find that not only are some ingredients linked with cancer, allergic reactions and toxicity, but also that they are ingredients commonly found in anti-freeze, degreasers and other products you wouldn’t want anywhere near that precious bundle.
What NOT to put on your baby:
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Alkyl-phenol-ethoxylades |
Widely used in shampoo, can cause adverse reactions and has been shown to be toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic and can reduce male sperm count and mimic estrogen in the body. |
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Ammonium laureth sulphate: |
Found in hair and bubble bath products. Known to cause adverse reactions, can be carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic Is easily absorbed by the skin and contains ether and is also easily absorbed by the skin. |
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Alcohol |
If synthetically produced, known to cause adverse reactions and can be carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic. Acts as carrying and antifoaming agent as well as a water and oil solvent. |
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Benzene |
Known bone-marrow poison and causes adverse reactions, is carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic.Widely used, often combined with other chemicals in many personal care products. |
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Cocamide DEA |
When DEA is applied to skin, known carcinogens can form. Any product containing amines and amino derivatives with nitrogen compounds can form Nitrosamines, know cancer causing substances. |
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Cocomide DEA |
Found in shampoo. Contains nitrosamines that are known carcinogens, can cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. Used as a synthetic nonionic surfactant.
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Carbomer 934, 940, 941, 960, 961 C |
Synthetic emulsifier, thickener and stabilizer in creams, toothpaste, eye makeup, bathing products. Known allergen with a high acidic PH in 1% water solution, can cause eye irritations and should be avoided. |
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DEA (diethanolamine) |
Mostly used in liquid soap, shampoo & conditioner, bubble bath, liquid dishwashing detergent & laundry soap. Especially dangerous for infants and young children. Synthetic solvent, detergent and humectant also used in brake fluid, industrial degreasers and antifreeze. Can be harmful for the liver, kidneys and pancreas. May cause cancer in various organs and forms carcinogenic nitrosamines. . Irritates skin, eyes, mucous membranes and can cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. |
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Disodium EDTA |
A manufacturing byproduct. Also used as chelating agent. May contain dangerous levels potent toxins like ethylene oxide and dixane. It is a known carcinogen. |
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Hydantoin DMDM |
Acts as a preservative but may release formaldehyde. Derived from methanol and also used in the synthesis of lubricants and resins. Causes dermatitis and rats develop cancer when injected with this chemical.
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FDC- (FD&C) Colors |
These are available in various different colours. Most are coal tar derived, and many scientists feel adequate safety levels have not been established. Some are simply irritants while others are strong carcinogens. |
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Glycols - Propylene glycol, Diethylene glycol, carbitol, Ethylene glycol |
Used as a humectant (emulsifier/moisturizer). Flammable. Shown to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic. In lab animals, propylene glycol caused liver abnormalities and kidney damage. Diethylene glycol and carbitol are considered toxic. Ethylene glycol is a suspected bladder carcinogen. FDA cautions manufacturers that glycols may cause adverse reactions in users. |
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Imidazolidinyl Urea: |
Used in powders, baby shampoo, bath oils, colognes, eye shadows, blushes, hair tonics, lotions. Second most commonly used preservative. Causes dermatitis. If heated to higher temperatures, produces formaldehyde. |
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Methyl Chloroisothiazolinine |
Found in shampoo, conditioner, body wash and cleanser. Can be carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and can cause adverse reactions. |
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Paba (p-aminobenzoic acid) |
Widely used in sunscreen lotions. Can cause photo-sensitivity, contact dermatitis and allergic eczema. |
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Parabens - butyl paraben, ethyl paraben, germa paraben, methyl paraben, propyl paraben. |
Most common preservative used in personal care products especially cream & lotion. Health concern for these chemicals is that they may alter hormone levels, possibly increasing risks for certain types of cancer, impaired fertility, or developmental changes in a fetus or young child. Can cause dermatitis and allergic reactions. Petroleum based. |
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PEG (4-200) Also polyoxethylene, polygocol, polyether glycol |
Abbreviation for polyethylene glycol, Contributes to stripping the natural moisture and nutrition in the skin leaving the immune system vulnerable. Dangerous levels of the toxin, dioxane, has been found in this ingredient. May cause allergic reactions, hives and eczema. Also used in spray-on oven cleaner.
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Phosphoric acid |
Widely used. Very disruptive to the skin if used in high concentrations. |
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Polysorbate-n (20-85) |
Emulsifier in cosmetic creams, lotions, cream deodorants, baby oil, suntan lotions. Can cause contact sensitivity and irritation to skin. |
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Polyquaternium |
Applies to all numbers following Polyquarternium. Shown to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and can cause adverse reactions including contact dermatitis, and even fatal drug allergy (anaphylactic shock). May cause increased sensitivity to muscle relaxants. |
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Propylene Glycol |
Most common moisture carrying vehicle other than water. Found in most shampoo and conditioners. Derived from petroleum products and also used in anti-freeze, de-icer, latex, paint, and laundry detergent. “Degreases” and dries skin. There is no difference between PG used in industry or in personal care products. It is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats. Can cause irritation of nasal and respiratory passages and if ingested, can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Shown to cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage, can damage cell DNA and contribute to cardiac arrest. It was taken out of cat food after cats were found dying of liver failure. At least they’re safe. |
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Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) |
Mainly in shampoo and conditioners. Can cause skin irritation and dermatitis. Has ether added and is toxic – See below for more information.
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Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) |
In 90% of commercially available shampoo and conditioner yet also found in car wash soap, engine degreaser, toothpaste, cream, lotion, and garage floor cleaners. Penetrates your eyes, brain, liver and remains there long-term. Degenerates cell membranes; damages the immune system and can change the genetic information (mutagenic) in cells. Retards the eye healing process and may cause blindness and lead to cataracts. Can react with ingredients in food supplements or other personal care products and form carcinogenic nitrates and dioxin which can enter the blood stream with each shampooing - t can accumulate and be retained in the liver, heart, eyes, kidneys and muscles for several years after being used. Reported to cause eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, dandruff and allergic reactions. |
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Sodium Oleth Sulfate |
Found in shampoos (including baby) and washes. May contain dangerous levels of ethylene oxide and/or dioxane, both potent toxins. |
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Talc |
Found in baby powders, eye shadows, other cosmetics. Derived from magnesium silicate. Toxic with prolonged inhalation. Can contain contaminants like amphibole particle distribution typical to asbestos, a cancer causing, known lung irritant.
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Triethanolamine (TEA) |
Found in baby soaps, oil and wipes as well as many other products. Can cause severe facial dermatitis, irritation and sensitivity. May contain nitrosamines, known carcinogens. Main toxic effect due to its over-alkalinity. It is used as a coating agent for fruits and vegetables. |
Look for 100% Natural Botanicals like Nature’s Baby Products for your baby and your family.
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| Signers of The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics |
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