Are Your Beauty Products Safe? Quiz

There has been a lot in the news lately about the lack of adequate health testing and warning information on beauty products. Many chemicals used in common soaps, shampoos, perfumes, cleansers, makeup, lipsticks, and more may be hazardous to our health.

Take this quiz to find out if you may be using products that could adversely affect your health and well-being.

Take a look at the ingredients of the beauty products you use. Then answer the following questions True or False:

1. Sodium lauryl sulfate appears as an ingredient in my shampoo or other hair products.

2. I notice a combination of sodium lauryl sulfate and TEA (triethanolamine, DEA (diethanolamine), or MEA (monoethanolamine) in one or more of the hair products I use.

3. The word “methylparaben” appears on a label.

4. My product lists “fragrance” on the label.

5. I see the words “dibutyl phthalate, or DBP,” or “diethylhexyl phthalate, or DEHP” on a label.

If you answered “True” to any of the questions, you may want to reconsider using those products. Here’s why:

1. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a suspected liver or gastrointestinal toxiocant and sometimes causes eye and skin irritation, hair loss, and allergic reactions.

2. When sodium lauryl sulfate is combined with TEA, DEA, or MEA, it can cause the formation of nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. You can prevent this by adding 1 teaspoon vitamin C powder and 1/4 teaspoon vitamin A powder for every 8 ounces of shampoo.

3. Methylparaben is a commonly-used disinfectant in many products. But recent research has shown that, when exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, it actually causes wrinkles and liver spots.

4. Artificial fragrances have been linked to a wide variety of health problems. Artificial musk, for example, has been shown to weaken the immune system. See Artificial Musks Weaken Immune System. And check out this story about a lawsuit won by a woman who claimed that the perfume worn by her co-worker made her too sick to work: Can Perfumes Make You Sick?

5. Phthalates—plasticizers found in numerous cosmetics and other products—have been shown to be hormone disruptors that can cause birth defects and other harm. For more information, see One Plastic to Be Sure to Avoid and Where Phthalates Lurk.

Find out more about the toxic chemicals hiding in your beauty products at The Environmental Working Group.

Read more: Beauty, Bath & Shower, Holistic Beauty, Skin Care

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Cindy M.

4:16AM PDT on Mar 13, 2011

Thanks!

send a green star

ana p.

10:02PM PST on Mar 4, 2011

PLEASE SIGN: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fed-up-to-be-poisoned/
THANKS!

Mariana T.

10:01AM PDT on Oct 21, 2010

good info

Linda M.

2:34AM PDT on Aug 26, 2010

thanks for the information

Donna B.

9:15PM PST on Feb 18, 2010

Thanks for the information!

Past Member .

2:45PM PDT on May 30, 2009

Safe vegan shop here at care2 http://my.care2.com/veganstuff

3:53AM PDT on Oct 15, 2008

Many people, particularly females are concerned about their looks and how they are perceived. One core area of our features is actually our hair as well . If our hair feels and looks good then carrying off a stylish image is much easier. Nowadays, women are finding it easier to wear wigs. However, despite this fact, TV, Radio and even magazines attempt to spoil the image of wigs, making it look as if it is unfashionable or should only be worn by those that do not have any hair, when everyday we see celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longera, Penélope Cruz and Beyonce Knowles sporting off wigs on commercials, filmed at award ceremonies or photographed for magazines. Instead the media presents hair products and heat appliances as the great solution for volume, manageability, various lengths or to achieve great colour. Beauty accessories that are chemical free are obviously the way to go and should be encouraged more!

http://www.urbanrestyle.com

3:51AM PDT on Oct 15, 2008

Rosalia B.

12:50PM PDT on Apr 24, 2008

Dear Annie,
I just want to say that I live in a country where you can't find organic and eco-friendly products.What can I do? Can you help me,Please?. Many thanks.