THE 5 MOST CONTROVERSIAL SKIN CARE
INGREDIENTS
ARE THEY CAUSING CANCER?
Asoneoftheco-foundersofEavara,Iwantgreatskinasmuchas thenextgirl.ButthemoreIlearnedaboutskincare,themorewaryI became. Weliveinaworldwherebeautyproductspromisethefountainof youth.So,it'seasytogetcaughtupintheallureofthelatest skincaretrends.ButwhatifItoldyouthatsomeoftheingredients inyourfavoriteproductsmightbedoingmoreharmthangood?
Manyproductsclaimtohaveanti-agingeffects,yettheycontain chemicalsthatcanaccelerateyournaturalagingprocess.
That’swhyIcreatedEavara!Iwantedtocontributeclean, healthy,andeffectiveproductstoamarketthatwasdrowningin toxicchemicals. Thisguideisyourroadmaptonavigatingtheworldofskincare ingredients.We'llexplorefivecommoningredientsthathave raisedredflagsinthescientificcommunityduetotheirpotential linkstocancer.Bytheendofthisguide,you'llhavetheknowledge tomakeinformeddecisionsabouttheproductsyouuseonyour skineveryday.
Remember,yourskinisyourlargestorgan,andwhatyouputonit matters.So,let'sstartthisjourneytowardssafer,moremindful skincaretogether! Ifyoueverhaveanyquestions,pleaseemail
we’realwayshereforyou!
Ingredient
FormaldehydeReleasing Preservatives
FORMALDEHYDERELEASING PRESERVATIVES
Whenyoupickupaskincareproduct,youprobablydon'texpect tofindingredientsrelatedtoembalmingfluid.Yet,many cosmeticscontainformaldehyde-releasingpreservatives,which slowlyreleasesmallamountsofformaldehydeovertimeto preventspoilage.
Common names to look out for:
DMDMhydantoin
Quaternium-15
Imidazolidinylurea
Diazolidinylurea
Polyoxymethyleneurea
Sodiumhydroxymethylglycinate
Where you might find them: These preservatives are commonly found in water-based products such as:
Shampoosandconditioners
Bodywashes
Liquidhandsoaps
Bubblebaths
Somemoisturizersandlotions
Research has shown that formaldehyde can cause:
Nasalandsinuscancers
Nasopharyngealcancer
Leukemia[2][3]
TheCancerConnection:Formaldehydeisclassified asaknownhumancarcinogenbytheInternational AgencyforResearchonCancer(IARC)[1].Whilethe amountsreleasedbythesepreservativesaresmall, repeatedexposureovertimeisconcerning. SaferAlternatives:
Moreover,formaldehydeisapotentsensitizer.Thismeansit cancauseallergicskinreactions.Thismightmanifestas redness,itching,andevenblistering.
Remember,notallpreservativesarebad–theyplayacrucial roleinpreventingbacterialgrowth.Thekeyischoosing productswithsaferoptions.
2 PARABENS
Ah,anotherpreservative.Parabenshavebeenusedas preservativesincosmeticssincethe1920s.They'reeffectiveat preventingthegrowthofbacteriaandmold,whichensures productlongevity.Inrecentyears,seriousconcernshavebeen raisedabouttheirpotentialhealthimpacts.
Types of parabens to watch for:
TheCancerConnection:Theconcernaboutparabens stemsfromtheirabilitytomimicestrogeninthebody.This estrogenicactivityhasledresearcherstoinvestigatepotential linksbetweenparabensandhormone-relatedcancers, particularlybreastcancer.
Key Research Findings:
1.A2004studypublishedinthe JournalofAppliedToxicology foundparabensinbreast cancertissuesamples[4].This raisedquestionsabouttheir roleincancerdevelopment.
2.Morerecentstudieshaveshownthatparabenscanpenetrate theskinandremaininbodytissues[5]
3.Nodirectcausallinkhasbeen notfullyunderstood[6].
low-doseexposuretomultipleparabensarestill stablished.Buttheeffectsoflong-term,
TheHormonalConnection:Beyondcancerconcerns, parabensareknownendocrinedisruptors.Thismeansthey canaffectthebody'shormonesystems,potentiallyleadingto:
Reproductiveissues
Developmentalproblems
Metabolicdisorders
WhattheFDAsays:Parabens arestillconsideredsafebythe FDAatcurrentlevelsusedin cosmetics.
ButtheEuropeanUnionhas bannedseverallong-chain parabensandrestrictedthe concentrationofothersin personalcareproducts.
Typically,theEUhastighter restrictionsthantheFDA.So, pleaseuseyourbest judgmentwhendeciding whetheraproduct issafe.
MakingInformedChoices:Whenitcomestoparabens,it's aboutbalancingthebenefitsofpreservativesagainst potentialrisks.Ifyou'reconcerned,lookfor"paraben-free" productsorthoseusingotherpreservativeslike:
Phenoxyethanol
Sodiumbenzoate
Potassiumsorbate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Remember, "paraben-free" doesn't automatically mean "safer."
Always look at the full ingredient list and research any ingredients you don’t recognize.
PHTHALATES
Phthalatesarechemicalsusedtoincreasethedurabilityof plastics.Incosmetics,they'reoftenusedinfragrances.Thetrouble is,they'renotalwayslistedonproductlabels.Phthalates“hide”in otheringredients,sotheycanbeveryhardtospot.
Hiddennamestolookfor:
DBP(dibutylphthalate)
DEHP(di-2-ethylhexylphthalate)
DEP(diethylphthalate)
BzBP(benzylbutylphthalate)
DMP(dimethylphthalate)
Wherephthalateshide:
Fragrances(Includinganythingthathas “Fragrance(Parfum)”listedonthelabel!)
Nailpolishes
Hairsprays
Lotions
Deodorants
Shampoosandconditioners
TheCancerConnection:Whilenotallphthalateshave beenlinkedtocancer,somehaveraisedsignificant concerns:
1.
DEHP:Classifiedasapossiblehumancarcinogenby theIARC.Animalstudieshaveshownlinkstoliver cancerandreproductivesystemcancers[7].
2.
BBP:Somestudiessuggestitmayincreasetherisk ofcertaintypesofcancer,includingbreast cancer[8].
3.
DBP:Whilenotdirectlylinkedtocancer,ithasbeen associatedwithreproductiveanddevelopmental issues[9].
Beyond Cancer: Other Health Concerns
Phthalatesareknownendocrinedisruptors,meaning theycaninterferewithhormoneproductionand function.Thiscanleadtoarangeofhealthissues,like:
Reproductiveproblems
Developmentaldisorders
Asthmaandallergies
Obesity
Insulinresistance
The “Fragrance” Loophole:
Oneofthebiggestchallengeswithphthalates isthattheyoftenhidebehindtheterm "fragrance"oningredientlists.Fragrancesare consideredtradesecrets.So,companies aren’trequiredtotelluswhatformulas theyuse.Thismeanstheycanhidea lotofchemicalsundertheword “fragrance.”
3Optfornaturalfragrances. . Bewaryofproductslisting "fragrance"or"parfum"without furtherexplanation.
Important:
AtEavara,weuseonlypremiumfragranceoilsthatcomply withbothIFRAandEUstandards,ensuringsafetyand excellence.
TheseoilsarecarefullycraftedintheUSAandarenever testedonanimals.
Ourproprietaryfragranceblendfeaturesacombinationof essentialoils,freefromhazardousphthalates.
DuetoFDAregulations,anymixofessentialoilsmustbe labeledas"parfum"or"fragrance"ontheproduct.This namingconventionisaregulatoryrequirementthatwe follow.
Remember,reducingyour overallexposureiskey.
Occasionaluseofafragranced productisn'tlikelytocauseharm.
Butdailyexposuretomultiple phthalate-containingproducts canaddupovertime.
ETHANOLAMINE COMPOUNDS
Canyouevenpronouncethisword?
Ethanolaminecompoundshelpcreatesmooth,stableproducts andensurethey'renottooacidicoralkalineforyourskin.However, theseingredientshaveraisedsomehealthconcerns.
Namestowatchfor:
Monoethanolamine(MEA)
Diethanolamine(DEA)
Triethanolamine(TEA)
Whereyou'llfindthem:
Shampoosandconditioners
Soapsandbodywashes
Shavingcreams
Mascaraandeyeliners
Sunscreens
Hairdyes
TheCancerConnection:Themainconcernwith ethanolaminecompoundsistheirpotentialtoform nitrosamines.Whatarenitrosamines?Well,theyarepotent carcinogensthathavebeenlinkedtovarioustypesofcancer inanimalstudies[10][11].
Beyond Cancer: Other Health Concerns
Ethanolaminecompoundshavealsobeenassociatedwith:
Skinirritationandallergicreactions
Eyeirritation
Hormonedisruption
Organsystemtoxicity
Current Regulations:
TheEuropeanUnionhas bannedDEAincosmeticsand restrictedtheuseofTEA.
IntheU.S.,theFDAhasnot bannedtheseingredientsbut recommendsthatcosmetic manufacturerstakestepsto ensuretheirproductsarefree ofnitrosamines.
ProtectingYourSkinandHealth:
1Lookforproductslabeled"ethanolamine-free"or"DEA-free." . Becautiousofproductscontaining"coconutDEA"or "cocamideDEA,"whicharerelatedcompounds.
2. Chooseproductswithnaturalemulsifierslikelecithinor cetearylalcohol.
3. Beawarethat"organic"or"natural"productsmaystill containtheseingredients.
4. Whileasingleuseofaproductwiththeseingredientsis unlikelytocauseharm,cumulativeexposureovertimeisa concern.
“Theskinisourlargestorgan, andweabsorbmostofwhat weputonourskin,sofinding aproductlinethathas healthynon-harmful ingredientsissuper important.”
-Dr.MichaelaMartin, NaturopathicPhysician
OXYBENZONE
SunscreenisessentialforprotectingyourskinfromharmfulUV rays.Eavaraisbasedoutofsunny,beautifulHawai’i.So,weknow allabouttheimportanceofsunsafety.
Butnotallsunscreensarecreatedequal.Oxybenzoneisa commoningredientinchemicalsunscreens.However,ithas raisedsignificanthealthandenvironmentalconcerns.
Whereyou'llfindit:
Chemicalsunscreens(notphysical/mineralsunscreenslike thosecontainingzincoxideortitaniumdioxide)
SomemoisturizerswithSPF
SomelipbalmswithSPF
TheCancerConnection:
Oxybenzonehasbeenfoundto:
Generatefreeradicalsundersunlight,whichcandamageskin cellsandincreasetheriskofskincancer[12]. Potentiallyincreasetheriskofmelanoma,accordingtosome studies[13][14].
Beyond Cancer: Other Health Concerns
Oxybenzoneisalsoclassifiedasan endocrinedisruptor,whichmeansit caninterferewithhormoneproduction, leadingto:
Developmentaltoxicity
Reproductivetoxicity
Allergicreactions
Possiblelinkstobirthdefects
EnvironmentalImpact:Oxybenzonehasbeenshownto causecoralbleachingandharmmarinelife.Thishasled tobansonsunscreenscontainingthisingredientinplaces likeHawai’iandpartsoftheCaribbean.
So,choosingsafesunscreenbenefitsyouandour beautifuloceans!Pleasemakeresponsiblechoicesto protectourdelicatemarineecosystems.
SaferAlternatives:
Lookforsunscreenslabeled"oxybenzone-free." Optforphysicalsunscreenswithzincoxideortitaniumdioxide. Chooseproductswithnaturalsun-protectiveingredientslike redraspberryseedoilorcarrotseedoil.
MakingSunSafetyaPriority:
Whileit'scrucialtoprotectyour skinfromUVdamage,it's equallyimportanttochoose sunscreensthatwon'tharm yourhealthortheenvironment. Remembertoreapply sunscreeneverytwohoursand afterswimmingorsweating.
EMPOWERING YOUR SKINCARE CHOICES
Phew,thatwasquiteajourney Ifyou’relikeme,youmightbe feelingamixofconcernand empowerment. It'snaturaltofeeloverwhelmed whenlearningaboutthe poisonslurkinginoureveryday products. Butknowledgeispower!Now, you’reequippedtomake informeddecisionsabout yourskincareroutine.
Key Takeaways:
1.Beaningredientdetective:Alwaysreadlabelsandresearch unfamiliaringredients.
2.Everythinginmoderation:Focusonreducingoverall exposureratherthaneliminatingeverytraceofthese ingredients.Trynottopanic.
3.Choosewisely:Lookforproductswithsaferalternativesand naturalingredients.Findbrandsyoutrust(likeEavara!)and shopwithintheirproductline.
4.Stayinformed:Thescienceofskincareisalwaysevolving. Keepupwithnewresearchandrecommendations.
Remember, beautiful skin shouldn’t come at the cost of your health. By making mindful choices, you can nurture your skin while protecting your overall well-being.
Next Steps:
1.Audityourcurrentskincareroutine.Identifyproducts containingtheingredientswe'vediscussed.
2.Graduallyreplaceproductswithsaferalternativesasyou runout.
3.Educatefriendsandfamilyaboutwhatyou'velearned!
Bonus: Natural Alternatives and Tips for Safer Skincare
1.Naturalpreservatives: -Grapefruitseedextract -Rosemaryextract -Neemoil
2.Non-toxicsunscreeningredients: -Zincoxide -Titaniumdioxide
3.Naturalfragrances: -Essentialoils -Plantextracts
4.Skin-nourishingingredients: -Aloevera -Jojobaoil -Sheabutter -Greenteaextract
Remember,everyone'sskinisdifferent.Whatworksforonepersonmay notworkforanother.
AtEavara,we'recommittedtoprovidingproductsfreefromthese andotherharmfulingredients,soyoucanenjoybeautiful,healthyskin withoutcompromisingyourhealth. Yourskinisareflectionofyouroverallhealth.Bychoosingsafer skincareproducts,you'reinvestinginyourlong-termhealth.
Tomakenaturalandorganicskincareaccessibletoeveryoneand ensurepriceisnotabarrier,we’reofferingaspecial10%discount.Just usethecodeBETTERSKINatcheckoutonwww.eavara.com.
Formoreinformationonsaferskincareproductsandtips,visitourblog andjoinourcommunityofhealth-consciousbeautyenthusiasts.
References:
[1]InternationalAgencyforResearchonCancer(IARC).(2006).Monographsonthe EvaluationofCarcinogenicRiskstoHumans.
[2]NationalToxicologyProgram (2011) ReportonCarcinogens,TwelfthEdition [3]U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA).(2010).Formaldehyde.
[4]Darbre,P.D.,Aljarrah,A.,Miller,W.R.,Coldham,N.G.,Sauer,M.J.,&Pope,G.S.(2004). Concentrationsofparabensinhumanbreasttumours.JournalofAppliedToxicology, 24(1),5-13.
[5]Calafat,A M,Ye,X,Wong,L Y,Bishop,A M,&Needham,L L (2010) Urinary concentrationsoffourparabensintheU.S.population:NHANES2005–2006. EnvironmentalHealthPerspectives,118(5),679-685.
[6]Golden,R.,Gandy,J.,&Vollmer,G.(2005).Areviewoftheendocrineactivityof parabensandimplicationsforpotentialriskstohumanhealth.CriticalReviewsin Toxicology,35(5),435-458
[7]InternationalAgencyforResearchonCancer(IARC).(2000).SomeIndustrial Chemicals.IARCMonographsontheEvaluationofCarcinogenicRiskstoHumans,77.
[8]Hauser,R.,Meeker,J.D.,Singh,N.P.,Silva,M.J.,Ryan,L.,&Duty,S.(2007).DNA damageinhumanspermisrelatedtourinarylevelsofphthalatemonoesterand oxidativemetabolites HumanReproduction,22(3),688-695
[9]U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA).(2006).Phthalates.
[10]EuropeanCommission.(2009).ScientificCommitteeonConsumerSafety(SCCS). Opinionondiethanolamine(DEA).
[11]NationalToxicologyProgram.(2005).NTPTechnicalReportontheToxicityStudies ofDiethanolamine(CASNo 111-42-2)AdministeredTopicallyandinDrinkingWaterto F344/NRatsandB6C3F1Mice.NIHPublicationNo.05-5958.
[12]Hanson,K.M.,Gratton,E.,&Bardeen,C.J.(2006).SunscreenenhancementofUVinducedreactiveoxygenspeciesintheskin.FreeRadicalBiologyandMedicine,41(8), 1205-1212.
[13]Schlumpf,M,Schmid,P,Durrer,S,&Conscience,J (2001) Endocrineactivityand developmentaltoxicityofcosmeticUVfilters anupdate.Toxicology,205(1-2),113-122.
[14]Krause,M.,Klit,A.,Jensen,M.B.,&BlombergJensen,M.(2012).Sunscreens:arethey beneficialforhealth?AnoverviewofendocrinedisruptingpropertiesofUV-filters. InternationalJournalofAndrology,35(3),424-436.