Oasis Advanced Wellness Health Forum

[marcy]

Is Make-Up Making You Sick?

The hidden dangers on your bathroom shelf

Phalates: a family of chemicals, often used to soften plastics, these were banned from children's toys after it was discovered that babies and toddlers were ingesting the chemical by sucking. But dibutyl phthalate (DBP) continued to be used in nail varnish until it was outlawed on January 1, 2005.

Parabens: found in almost all moisturisers, they can cause irritation and allergic reactions. A study by Reading University and Edinburgh Breast Unit Research Group found higher than average levels of parabens in breast tumour tissue. But the European Commission's independent Scientific Committee on Consumer Products recently concluded there was no evidence of demonstrable risk.

Nitrosamines: compounds that form when diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA), which are used as wetting agents in facial cleansers, body washes and shampoos, combine with nitrites, which are often present as contaminants. They have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals when taken orally.

Formaldehyde: a cheap preservative used in shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and children's bubble bath. Banned in Sweden and until recently in Japan - although Western exports are now accepted. Formaldehyde is a cancer suspect and an irritant that can trigger allergies.

Arylamines: present in permanent hair dyes. Some researchers believe that arylamines are partly responsible for the increased incidence of bladder cancer among women who use dyes regularly. Using dyes at least once a month can double the risk.