COSMETICS' BIG BAD WOLVES

Here are three potentially dangerous ingredients to watch out for if you have an allergy that will not budge, your cosmetics may be biting you. 

PARABENS
Parabens (also known as Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Isoparaben, Butylparaben) are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. These chemicals found in moisturisers, body wash and cleansers, have been linked to possible carcinogenicity, as well as an estrogenic effect from being exposed to the continued use of parabens as preservatives. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their report "Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Environment: Agents of Subtle Change?" reported that the parabens—methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl displayed estrogenic activity in several tests. It is a medical fact that estrogen stimulates breast cancer and anything absorbed through the skin may be as high as 10 times the concentration of an oral dose. There have been no successful studies to show that repeated and prolonged use of paraben is safe. It is a low-cost synthetic preservative for which many large cosmetic brands have tried to fund study to prove that prolonged usage is safe; all studies failed. Parabens are used in over the counter personal products as a preservative to extend the shelf life of the product. 

SLS SODIUM LAUREL/LAURETH SULFATE 
This commonly used foaming agent is considered a skin irritant and carcinogen. If you have unexplained skin rashes and allergic reactions, it might be because you are responding to SLS, which can be found everywhere. SLS is absorbed into the body via skin application and mimics the activity of estrogen. This has a variety of health implications ranging from PMS, decreased fertility in men as well as an increase in cancers such as breast cancer in women. It is often disguised in “natural” products with the term “derived from coconut”. It is particularly irritating to the eyes. SLS is often contaminated with dioxane, a known carcinogen.


MINERAL OIL 
Commonly known as petroleum or liquid paraffin, mineral oil is often used as a moisturiser and filler, these petrochemicals that are also used in our household cleaning products, home furnishings and food supply, have been discovered to clog pores, exacerbate acne and been linked to cancer and other diseases. 

Studies have found that oral and topical application of petrochemicals in rodents resulted in anemia, kidney degeneration, and nerve damage to the brain and spinal cord. 

EVOLVE asia RECOMMENDS

This brand developed in 1979, has more than a few good things going for it. 

Firstly,most products are not only paraben, SLS and mineral oil free, they are free of a myriad of other ingredients that have been thrown into question in the last decade, including ethanolamines, phthlates, pcm etc.

Secondly, they declare how much of their product is fully natural or not right at the top of every bottle or jar. 
We like the honesty of a brand that is aware that effective products may not always be natural although they strive to be. A product that grapples with effectiveness and systematically documents that for its consumers should be lauded.

Thirdly, we like that all products are 100 percent scented by 100 percent pure essential oils from the fields of Hippocrates' Greece.  

Here are a few choice products for the summer: 

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Light texture tinted face cream SPF 30 with Sea Lavender and Propolis

This tinted face cream has beautiful coverage, is long lasting, and behaves like a BB cream with water resistant properties. 
Product smells lovely, hardly comes off during the day like other creams and leaves the face baby smooth after cleansing at night. 
Product has no alcohol, parabens, silicones, mineral oil, propylene glycol, ethanolamines, phthlates, pcm and nm. 

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Propoline Shampoo for All Hair Types 
Including Honey and Clary Sage

The Propoline Line of Shampoos has something for every hair problem you can imagine. What you can look forward to is a pleasurable aromatic hair wash that you know will gently cleanse thanks to mild surfactants and saponaria.

Product has no Parabens, Silicones, Mineral oil, Propylene glycol, Ethanolamines, Phthalates, PCM, NM

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watch list

These ingredients are not on the top of the hazard list but it's good to know what they're used for. 

PROPYLENE GLYCOL 
(medium risk)

Also known as
Propylene Glycol and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)

They are made from the same chemical that is used to create anti-freeze, this chemical easily penetrates the skin and may be linked to damage of the liver, kidneys and brain.

ETHANOLAMINES

Also known as Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA)

These chemicals can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic product to form potent carcinogenic chemicals called nitrosamines, that are linked with liver, stomach, bladder and esophagus cancers.


PHTHALATES
Also known as: di-butyl-phthalate, di-ethylhexyl-phthalate

Commonly used as a plasticizer in everything from skincare, cosmetics, nail polish, perfume to hair products and deodorants. Known to cause damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system. 

Suspected of causing birth defects, lowering sperm counts and a breast cancer risk.

Urea
Also known by: diazolindyl urea, imidazolindyl urea

These are common preservatives that release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, that is irritating to the mucous membranes and known to cause contact dermatitis, headaches and internal bleeding.