Natural. Organic. Green. We are familiar with these monikers. But when searching for safe cosmetics, how do you truly know what is safe and what is not? By learning to identify which cosmetic ingredients to avoid.

Ignore what may be on the front of a product label and get to the real information. The ingredient listing. Even products that say “Natural” or “Organic” sometimes contain nasty toxins detrimental to our health.

Below are the ingredients best avoided in cosmetics and how to easily identify them on a product ingredient listing. Bookmark and save this list so you can refer to it while shopping. And remember, no clear or readily available ingredient listing on the label? Back away from the product.

1. 1,4 Dioxane

Usage: A chemical by-product of ethoxylation, an ingredient processing method used to make petro-ingredients less irritating to skin

Toxicity: Carcinogenic, suspected cardiovascular and blood toxicant, gastrointestinal toxicant, immunotoxicant, kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant, respiratory toxicant, skin toxicant

Found In: Shampoo, facial cleansers, body wash, bubble bath, baby bath, liquid soap

How to ID: Because 1,4 Dioxane is a contaminant produced during the manufacturing process, FDA does not require it to be listed on a product ingredient listing. EWG.org recommends looking for common ingredients which may contain the impurity, identifiable by the prefix or designations of ‘PEG,’ ‘–eth–,’ ‘Polyethylene,’ ‘Polyethylene glycol’ ‘Polyoxyethylene,’ or ‘–oxynol–’ (FDA 2007)

2. DEA, TEA

Usage: Foaming agent

Toxicity: Skin sensitizer, can form carcinogenic compounds when mixed with certain cosmetic ingredients

Found In: Makeup, body wash, shampoo, skincare

How to ID: DEA or Diethanolimine, TEA or Triethanolamine, Cocamide DEA or Cocamide Diethanolimine, Lauramide DEA or Lauramide Diethanolimine, DEA Lauryl Sulphate or Diethanolimine Sulfate, Linoleaide DEA or Linoleaide Diethanolimine, Oleamide DEA or Oleamide Diethanolimine

3. Formaldehyde

Usage: An impurity released by some chemical preservatives

Toxicity: Carcinogenic, skin and lung irritant, gastrointestinal or liver toxicant and neurotoxin

Found In: Nail polish, deodorant, shampoo

How to ID: Formaldehyde, Formalin, Urea, Diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, Quaternium-15, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, and Sodium hydroxylmethylglycinate

4. Heavy Metals (Metalloestrogens)

Usage: Sweat blocker, colorant, whitener, lightener

Toxicity: Possible carcinogen, developmental and reproductive toxicant, organ system toxicant, allergies and immunotoxicant, bioaccumulation

Found In: Lip products, whitening toothpaste, eyeliner, nail color, foundations, sunscreens, eye shadows, blush, concealer, moisturizers, eye drops

How to ID: Aluminum, Aluminium flake, Aluminum, LB Pigment 5; Pigment metal 1; A 00; A 95; A 995; A 999; AA 1099; AA1199, Lead acetate, Lead flake, Chromium, Thimerosal, Hydrogenated cotton seed oil, Sodium hexametaphosphate

5. Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)

Usage: Preservative

Toxicity: Possible neurotoxin, possible health risks to unborn babies, allergic reactions

Found In: Hair care, body wash, sunscreen, skin care

How to ID: > 3 (2h) -Isothiazolone, 2-Methyl-; Methylchloroisothiazolinone225methylisothiazolinone Solution; 2-Methyl-3 (2h) -Isothiazolone; 2-Methyl-4-Isothiazolin-3-One; 2-Methyl- 3 (2h) -Isothiazolone; 2-Methyl-2h-Isothiazol-3-One; 3 (2h) Isothiazolone, 2methyl; 2-Methyl-3 (2h) -Isothiazolone; 2-Methyl-4-Isothiazolin-3-One

6. Parabens

Usage: Preservative

Toxicity: Found in breast tissue, acts like estrogen in the body, could lead to impaired fertility or fetal development

Found In: Soap, skincare, body care, hair care, toothpaste, deodorant

How to ID: Alkyl parahydroxybenzoate, butylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparabens

7. Petrolatum

Usage: Emollient or lubricant

Toxicity: Commonly contains impurities linked to cancer

Found In: Skincare, body care, lip balm, makeup

How to ID: Petrolatum, petroleum jelly, mineral oil

8. Phthalates

Usage: Often used as a carrier for synthetic fragrance

Toxicity: Can negatively affect fertility and fetal development, considered a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organizaiton

Found In: Hair spray, lipstick, perfume and nail polish

How to ID: Benzylbutyl phthalate (BzBP), Di-n-butyl phthalate or Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Diethyl phthalate (DEP), and sometimes Fragrance (though even nontoxic product makers use the term “fragrance” to protect trade formulas)

9. Propylene Glycol

Usage: Helps a product to retain moisture

Toxicity: Penetration enhancer (alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to more easily enter the system)

Found In: Skincare, hair care, body care, makeup, baby care products, contact lens cleaner

How to ID: Propylene Glycol, Proptylene Glycol, 1,2-Propanediol. Related synthetics: PEG (polyethylene glycol) and PPG (polypropylene glycol)

10. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate

Usage: Makes a product foamy

Toxicity: Penetration enhancer (alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to more easily enter the system)

Found In: Shampoo, facial cleansers, body wash, bubble bath, baby bath, toothpaste

How to ID: Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Anhydrous Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Irium

11. Synthetic Colorants (FD&C colors)

Usage: Coal tar (petroleum) derived and commonly tested on animals due to their carcinogenic properties, used to artificially color a cosmetic product

Toxicity: Can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions

Found In: Shampoo, facial cleansers, body wash, skincare, baby care products, hair care, makeup

How to ID: FD&C or D&C followed by a name and number (FD&C RED NO. 40)

12. Synthetic Fragrances

Usage: Combination of chemical ingredients used to artificially scent a cosmetic product

Toxicity: Can cause allergic reactions, headache, dizziness, and rash (children tend to be particularly sensitive), respiratory distress, and possible effects to reproductive system

Found In: Hair care, skin care, makeup, body care, perfume

How to ID: Fragrance, parfum (It is important to note that the terms “fragrance” or “parfum” sometimes occur on an ingredient listing which contains natural fragrance ingredients and no chemical ingredients. This is most often due to manufacturer trade secret and should be disclosed on the label.)

13. Synthetic Sunscreens

Usage: Provide sun protection

Toxicity: Have been found to mimic estrogen in the body potentially causing hormonal disruption, can also cause skin irritation and easily absorb in to the skin

Found In: Sunscreens, facial moisturizer, lip protection

How to ID: 4-Methyl-Benzylidencamphor (4-MBC), Oxybenzone Benzophenone-3, Octyl-methoyl-cinnamates (OMC), Octyl-Dimethyl-Para-Amino-Benzoic Acid (OD-PABA), Homosalate(HMS)

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Toxic cosmetics image via Shutterstock

The post Dirty 13: Most Harmful Ingredients to Avoid in Cosmetics appeared first on EcoSalon.

A healthy lifestyle, clean foods, nontoxic personal care products. These are all high on our list of must haves. Soaking wet pits are not. How to not sweat when making the switch to natural deodorants?

You use organic cosmetics, nontoxic shampoo, natural body lotion. Have yet to make the change to natural deodorant? This is a trouble spot for many.

Personal preference definitely comes into play when choosing deodorant. But there is one thing all of us can agree on. A deodorant must work. In other words, it has to keep you odor-free and as dry as possible.

Yes, natural deodorant is known for allowing swamp pit to happen. Old school natch deods contain no perspiration prohibiting ingredients and allow the body to sweat naturally. This type of deodorant works to control odor that occurs when sweat sits on skin and forms bacteria. And many do a good job of keeping stink at bay.

The selling point of natural deodorants, other than the obvious avoidance of chemical exposure, used to be the sweat factor. That your body is supposed to sweat to eliminate toxins is a fact. But sweat stains are socially unacceptable, not to mention uncomfortable and gross, so this argument fell flat with most consumers.

Here’s the deal: It no longer has to be this way. You can use chemical-free deodorant without making several shirt changes a day. Natural deodorants without perspiration control are so 2000-yuck. Let’s hop into the now and use nontoxic armpit protection that keeps you fresh as a daisy and provides some dampness defense.

Of course, the natural ingredients used to ward off sweat are not as effective as chemical antiperspirants. Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex, the ingredient used in conventional deodorant/antiperspirants to stop sweat, blocks pores and prevents perspiration from coming to the surface of the skin. The ingredient may be good at its job, but what about the health issues?

Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex is a known skin irritant and has potential to cause DNA damage in humans. Studies have also linked the ingredient to Alzheimer’s disease, citing that aluminum may cause the formation of plaques in the human brain contributing to dementia. And the list of harmful effects on the human body due to aluminum goes on.

Aluminum isn’t the only toxin rolling around in mainstream antiperspirants. Petro-chems, parabens, propylene glycol, and synthetic fragrance are the usual nasty suspects found in most of these products.

Disheartened? Hang on. There are several high quality nontoxic deodorants to choose from and measures you can take to make them most effective.

How to Not Sweat: 5 Tips to Staying Dry With Natural Deodorant (Plus Product Picks!)

1 Stay the Course // Not gonna lie, things get worse before they get better once the switch has been made. It’s common to experience some extra wetness when first using an aluminum-free product. Right before a public speaking event or first date are not ideal occasions to try natural for the first time. Have faith. As your body acclimates to your new products, things will get drier.

2 Stock Up // Yes, I said products. Plural. One of the best ways to make sure your deodorant stays effective, rotate amongst a few. Having three or four options in your dry pit arsenal, and alternating them out each week or two, seems to be key in staving off odor and wetness. I am not sure of the science behind this method, but it works.

3 A Chill Diet // Foods hot in temperature obviously warm you up and cause perspiration. Onions, garlic, coffee, and alcohol are also foods said to get sweat stirred up. Go easy on these when you want to stay dry.

4 Dress for Success // Wear light breathable fabrics and clothes that aren’t too tight to prevent underarms from getting damp. Layering also helps to ward off heat waves and sopped pits.

5 Powder Room // A puff of powder helps to absorb wetness and freshen up underarms. Burt’s Bees Dusting Powder is a talc-free option.

Ok, so which products are best? All of the following natural deodorants are free from harmful ingredients. They also contain sweat absorbing ingredients, like cornstarch, bamboo fibers, baking soda, or arrowroot powder.

Soapwalla Deodorant Cream

Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant

Bubble & Bee Organic Pit Putty Cream

Blissoma Scentless Stick

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Image of woman with sweat mark via Shutterstock

The post How to Not Sweat (or Stink) With Natural Deodorant appeared first on EcoSalon.