What Are We Feeding Our Skin?

Speaker: Jenise Lee (Certclean)Written by: Sheena Jain & Esha Jain

We all use skin care products as part of our daily regimen. Whether it is the body wash we use in the shower, the lotion we lather on ourselves every morning or the soap we use while washing our hands. We unconsciously use these different substances on ourselves, but do we really know what is actually in the products we are exposing our skin to?

Many times when we are purchasing skin care products, we see labels that say natural, or organic, and are under the impression that we are safe from exposing our skin to any harmful agents. What a lot of us as consumers are unaware of is the fact that in order for companies to include the terms “natural” or “organic” on labels, all it takes is at least one natural ingredient such as water or the presence of one organic ingredient to be contained inside of the product. What is also astonishing is that many labels include the word “*fragrance” as part of the ingredient list. According to the breast cancer foundation this term encompasses hundreds of toxic agents that manufacturing companies are not required to specify. One of the many toxins that make up “fragrances” is phthalates which are found to disrupt essential hormones within our bodies and cause reproductive problems.

When comparing the manufacturing laws, it has been found that Europe has more stringent and stricter laws compared to Canada. This is because Europe uses a hazard based assessment process where as Canada uses more of a risk based approach. The hazard based assessment process refers to restricting use of a chemical if it is found to be potentially harmful until more information is known about that chemical. The risk based approach considers a certain level of exposure to be acceptable without taking into account synergistic effects of the same toxin being present in other products. For instance the risk based approach may allow the use of certain shampoos even if they contain some harmful chemicals, reasoning that since shampoo is a product that gets washed off, it has less time for large quantities to penetrate into the body and have detrimental effects. However it does not take into account, the same chemical existing in other products like in body washes, and the additive effects of both products containing the same toxic agents.

Some harmful ingredients to avoid include:

• BHA & BHT: potential endocrine disruptor and carcinogen

• Parabens/Methylparabens: carcinogens

• Petrolatum: contaminated with carcinogens

• DEA/MEA/TEA: potential carcinogens

• Fragrance/Parfum: potential carcinogen & endocrine disruptor

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate: laced with carcinogens

• Polyethylene glycol (PEG): carcinogen, developmental toxicant

To determine how safe your skin care products are, you can visit: www.ewg.org/skindeep. This is a cosmetic database, where you can type the name of a skin care product and get a list of harmful ingredients in the order of highest to lowest concentrations contained within it. Each product is also given a 1-10 rating based on its detrimental effects. The scores can be deciphered as follows:

• 1–2: Low hazard

• 3–6: Moderate hazard

• 7–10: High hazard

You will also find that there is an inconsistency of ratings among different products of the same brand. Often times we are loyal to certain brands, assuming that if one their product’s is safe then all products affiliated with that brand name will equally be as safe, but most times that is not the case.

            The ultimate goal is to educate the public in a tactful and effective manner, so that they are willing to take precautionary measures to ensure that what they expose their skin to is in fact safe. In many cases there is a stigma attached to the term “non-toxic”. Hearing that a product is non-toxic is associated with the misconception that it must be inadequate in comparison to standard products. A more effective approach is to inform the public about which “non-toxic” products are proven to work successfully. As a way to implement this technique, Cert Clean is in the process of establishing a website where individuals can review and search for safer skincare products that are certified by Cert Clean, North America’s largest certification for non-toxic products. Creating an avenue where individuals who have utilized these products can provide testimonies including their thoughts on the effectiveness of these certified products, will be more beneficial in allowing consumers to make better skincare choices.

Discussion Questions

1)   What are some natural household products that can be used as personal care products?

Natural Household Product Use Pure Emu Oil & Coconut Oil - Facial moisturizer

- Body moisturizer - Hair conditioner (coconut oil)

Oregano Oil - Speeds up healing of skin breakout - Prevents acne scarring Mild Soap (without Triclosan) & Water

                          OR Baking Soda mixed with Water

- Natural deodorant

2)   What specific personal care products is each individual toxin typically present within?

Chemicals/Toxins Personal Care Product Chemical is found in Aluminum Chlorohydrate Topical antiperspirant & topical body deodorants Ammonia Hair dyes & bleaches Coal Tar Dry skin treatment, anti-lice shampoo & anti-dandruff shampoo DEA/TEA/MEA Used as Emulsifiers & Foaming agents for:

Shampoos, body washes & soaps

Ethoxylated Surfactants &

1,4-dioxane

Body washes, lotions, “natural” & “organic” brand shampoos

(by-product of ethylene oxide)  

Formaldehyde Nail products, hair dye, mascara, eyeshadow, false eyelash adhesives & shampoos Fragrance/Parfum Creates synthetic scents for many products Hydroquinone Skin lightening/bleaching agents Lead Lipstick, hair dye & cleansers

(Lead is a contaminant not an ingredient)

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) Shampoos Mercury Mascara, some eyedrops & certain imported skin-lightening creams Mineral Oil Baby oil, moisturizers & styling gel

(By-product of petroleum)

Oxybenzone Sunscreens Parabens Deodorants, antiperspirants, shampoos, conditioners, spray tans, lotions, sunscreen, make-up & other cosmetics Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) Hair products & dyes Phthalates Fragrances, perfumes, deodorants, lotions, nail polish, nail polish remover, hairspray, lipstick, mascara, hairspray & shampoo Placental Extract Some skin & hair products Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Skin conditioning agents, cosmetic moisturizers & shampoos Silicone-derived Emollients Makes products feel soft Sodium Lauryl (ether) Sulfate (SLS, SLES) Used as a Foaming agent: shampoos, scalp treatments, liquid hand soaps, body washes, bath oils/bath salts, cleaners, laundry detergent & toothpastes.

Hair colour & bleaching agents & make-up foundations

Talc Baby powder, eye shadow, blush & deodorant Toluene Nail & hair products as well as synthetic fragrances Triclosan Antibacterial products: hand sanitizers, deodorants, soaps, body washes, cleansers & toothpastes. Cosmetics

3) What specific illnesses and conditions are associated with the presence of these toxins in personal

    care products?

Chemicals/Toxins Associated Illnesses/Conditions 1,4-dioxane Carcinogen, neurotoxicant, kidney toxicant & respiratory toxicant Aluminum Chlorohydrate Neurotoxin that alters function of the blood-brain barrier.

Associated with Alzheimer’s disease & cancer

Ammonia Releases caustic, pungent gases that irritate eyes & respiratory tract Coal Tar Carcinogen DEA/TEA/MEA Carcinogen Dibutyl Phthalate Birth defects & harms male reproductive organs Formaldehyde Carcinogen, nausea, coughing, asthmatic symptoms as well as burning sensations in eyes, nose & throat Fragrance/Parfum Headaches, dizziness, asthma & allergies Hydroquinone Carcinogen, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxin & skin sensitizer.

In high concentrations, can cause skin disease known as ochronosis, resulting in irreversible blue-black lesions

Lead acetate Carcinogen, developmental toxicity & neurotoxin Mercury Impairs brain development Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) Allergenic, cytotoxic as well as harmful effects on brain & nervous system Oxybenzone Allergies, hormone disruption, cellular damage & low birth weight Parabens Endocrine disruptor.

Estrogen mimicking effects: development of breast cancer, reproductive toxicity & urogenital abnormalities.

Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) Toxic to skin & immune system Phthalates Carcinogen, endocrine disruption, liver/kidney/lung damage, birth defect in males, low sperm motility in adult men, testicular atrophy & structural abnormalities.   Placental Extract Endocrine disruption Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Carcinogen, may inhibit cell growth, kidney/liver problems, irritant & allergic contact dermatitis as well as contact urticaria. Silicon-derived Emollients Tumour growth & skin irritation Sodium Lauryl (ether) Sulfate (SLS, SLES) Carcinogen, skin & eye irritation, organ toxicity, developmental/reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruptor, as well as biochemical/cellular changes Talc Ovarian cancer & respiratory problems Triclosan Carcinogen, endocrine disruptor, heart disease, heart failure, as well as impaired muscle & skeletal muscle contractility

Overuse can lead to drug-resistant super bacterial strains

Toluene Nervous-system toxicity, impairs breathing, nausea, immune system toxicity, blood cancer (i.e. malignant lymphoma) endocrine disruptor & disrupts fetal development.

Chronic Exposure: affects kidneys/liver, cause birth defects, anemia & lowered blood cell count

Sources

1)    "Hidden Dangers in Personal Care Products Infographic." Mercola.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016. (http://www.mercola.com/infographics/personal-care-products.htm)

2)    Martinko, Katherine. "20 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid When Buying Body Care Products and Cosmetics." TreeHugger. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016. (http://www.treehugger.com/organic-beauty/20-toxic-ingredients-avoid-when-buying-body-care-products-and-cosmetics.html)

3)    "Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database | EWG." Skin Deep Home Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.(www.ewg.org/skindeep)

4)    Treehugger, Team. "Everything You Need to Know about Natural Skin Care." TreeHugger. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016. (http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-natural-skin-care.html)

Toxins In Scented Products

TOXINS IN SCENTED PRODUCTS Speaker: Kerri Brock from Splash Concepts Written by: Sheena Jain & Esha Jain

            Scents, whether from the fragrance of one’s perfume or the aroma of a burning scented candle, can create strong emotional connections for people. Where the scent of an ocean breeze candle can take an individual back to a family vacation at the beach or a mountain scented glade plug-in can bring someone back to the first time they climbed the Himalayan Mountains. Scents can be a great marketing tool for production companies; however, 95% of these aromas are synthetic and contain chemical toxins that are detrimental to our health. Some chemical toxins in particular are the nitro polycyclic musks. Polycyclic musk’s are known as “endocrine disrupters” which along with other toxins can enter our bodies through inhalation, ingestion and dermal inhalation, which is absorbed through our skin. These endocrine disruptors have adverse effects on the pituitary gland, thyroid, ovaries and testes. Some of their effects include low fertility, late puberty or early menopause. Women are exposed to approximately 12 products per day which can be as many as 150-160 chemicals per day.   

            Although many are aware of how detrimental these products can be to their health, scented products and the toxins that they emit is still a complicated concept. This is due to 3 layers: The corporate layer, the government layer and the human behaviour layer.

The Corporate layer: is focused around the fact that $7 billion are made on scented products.

The Government layer: relates to the way products are tested and labelled. Scented products contain approximately 13,000 chemicals, many of which are largely petroleum based. Of these chemicals only 10% are tested. These chemicals are tested in isolation of one another rather than collectively. Therefore the synergistic effects of multiple chemicals that are usually present in one product are not tested together. Regardless of what is tested, many times these chemicals are not included in the ingredient list of product labels.

The Human Behaviour Layer: is centered on why we continue to conduct ourselves in a particular manner regardless of the knowledge we possess e.g. why we still buy scented products knowing their adverse effects.

• Some reasons why humans may still gravitate towards scented products, is possibly due to being unaware of safer alternatives, due to habit, or for convenience. Many people may not realize the harmful effects of these products at the time of use as they may not have concrete evidence in front of them at all times.

• Another theory that exists is the Choice/Utility Maximization, which is where people make their choices based on how useful products are to them.

• Three approaches as to how humans make decisions include: Economic, Cognitive and Social Psychological.

  • Economic choice refers to how we spend our money.

  • Cognitive choice is focused around giving individuals access to the information so that they can gain knowledge and make their decisions accordingly.

  • Social Psychological choice is centered on how one’s purchase connects them with others. Many studies have also been conducted around the effects of “over choice.” It has been found that even with more choices individuals are more prone to go towards either polar spectrum. Regardless of having infinite amount of choices people will still gravitate towards the product that is the cheapest, easiest and the fastest, thinking that since these products are available on store shelves that they must be safe.

  The scented products that people use is ultimately their decision based on their own personal reasoning. There is however some alternatives that have similar effects to scented products but are safer.  People can create “Do it yourself” cosmetics using products from the grocery aisle such as fruits, vegetables, oils and seeds. Individuals can use the safe cosmetic database to assess whether the products they currently using are non-toxic. Other alternatives include looking for clean certified products, giving our bodies permission to sweat and cleanse or even joining the effort to change the default by participating in chemical management plan conversations.  

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1)  What ingredients should we avoid when purchasing scented products? What are their effects?

Often times production companies include the term “fragrances” on ingredient labels. This refers to a group of chemicals that may be toxic to our health. These include:

Parabens - Hormone disruptors

 →Interfere with hormone production and release

- “estrogenic effects”

-  Breast Cancer

- Males: Infertility

- Contact Dermatitis in people with damaged skin

- Skin aging

Phthalates - Carcinogen - Liver/Kidney Damage             

- Asthma

- Obesity

- Type II Diabetes

- Neurodevelopmental Issues

 → Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder

 → Autism Spectrum Disorder

 → Behavioural Issues

 → Low IQ

-Reproductive Effects

 → Birth Defects

 → Decreased sperm counts

 → Early breast development in males & females

 → Male fertility issues

Synthetic Musk - Hormone disruptors

- Can accumulate in the environment, fat tissue,

  breast milk and in umbilical cord blood

- Breast Cancer

- Low fertility

- Late Puberty

- Early Menopause

SOME OTHER CHEMICALS IN SCENTED PRODUCTS:

Propylene Glycol - Hyperosmolality

- Lactic Acidosis

- Intravascular Hemolysis

- Central Nervous System Depression

- Seizures

- Coma

- Hypoglycemia

- Renal Failure

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - Skin Irritant/ Skin corrosion

- Eye Irritant

- Eye deformities in Children

- Hormone imbalance

 → Menopausal symptoms

 → Males: low fertility (massive drop in sperm count & sperm motility), breast enlargement

 → Gender confusion in males or pregnant women

 → Breast Cancer

- Skin Cancer

Triclosan - Liver Problems

- Depression

- Cancer, Uncontrolled cell growth

- Abnormal Endocrine system/thyroid hormone signaling

- Weakening the immune system

- Children exposed to antibacterial products at an early age:

 → Increased chance of developing: allergies, asthma & eczema

- Developmental & Reproductive toxicity

2)  When burning candles what precautions can be taken to ensure that less toxic chemicals are being emitted into the air?

• Use beeswax or soy based candles instead of paraffin based candles which are a by-product of petroleum

• Using non-scented candles because they emit less soot and less particles into the air

• Using candles with wax that has a hard consistency, since soft gel wax is produced from petroleum oils which emit toxins.

• Avoid use of wicks that are thicker. Use wicks that are thin, braided and curl when lit.

• Using candles with a tapered shape (fatter base that gradually gets thinner as you get closer to the wick). Tapered candles are less likely to cause asthma or other lung conditions.

• If candles with multi-wicks are used ensure that the entire candle burns evenly.

• Burn candles in a well ventilated room.

• Avoid burning candles in a room with a draft, as a draft can emit up to 50% more soot.

3)  How to get rid of toxins already emitted into the air from previous use of scented cleaning products?

Many scented products contain artificial fragrances that give off a citrus or pine aroma. Limonene mimics the scent of citrus and alpha pinene produces a pine-like fragrance. It is not these chemicals themselves that are toxic to our health but rather it is the formaldehyde that is produced when these chemicals are emitted into the air that is harmful. Formaldehyde is harmful due to its carcinogenic, skin and breathing irritant effects, causing illnesses such as cancer and asthma.

            Studies have shown that the presence of various houseplants has the ability to naturally remove chemical toxins (i.e. formaldehyde) emitted into the air by scented products. Some of the common house plants that were used during the experiment were:

- Chlorophytum (spider plant)

- Dracaena (dragon tree)

-  Scindapsus (golden pothos)

- Hedera helix (English ivy)

SOURCES

1) "5 Adverse Effects Of Parabens That Cosmetic Industry Does NOT Want You To Know." 5 Adverse Effects Of Parabens That Cosmetic Industry Does NOT Wan. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016. (http://www.dermatocare.com/blog/5-Adverse-Effects-Of-Parabens-That-Cosmetic-Industry-Does-NOT-Want-You-To-Know)

2) Ahsan, Saleyha. "Home, Sweet Home: How to Combat the 'indoor Pollution' of Scented Candles." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 18 Jan. 2016. Web. 21 Sept. 2016. (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jan/18/home-sweet-home-combat-indoor-pollution-scented-candles-cleaning-products)

3) By This SLS Standard Level of Irritation, It. "SLS Health Implications." SLS Health Implications. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016. (http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sls-health-implications.html#axzz4KxapjpNu)

4) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016. (https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=12&po=14)

5) "Dangers of Triclosan." Safe Dishware, Glass Food Storage, Natural Toys, Organic Baby. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016. (http://mightynest.com/learn/research-by-concern/dangers-of-triclosan)

6)  Mercola. "Does Your Perfume Include Toxic Chemicals?" Mercola.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016. (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/11/27/toxic-perfume-chemicals.aspx)

7)  "Natural Perfume vs. Synthetic Perfume." Chemicals and Toxic Ingredients in Perfumes. Synthetic Free Perfume. Pour Le Monde All Natural Perfumes. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2016. (http://www.pourlemondeparfums.com/naturalvssynthetic.html)

8)  Westervelt, Amy. "Chemical Enemy Number One: How Bad Are Phthalates Really?" The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 10 Feb. 2015. Web. 21 Sept. 2016. (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/10/phthalates-plastics-chemicals-research-analysis)

Living Downstream - Spring Film Screening

As part of the WHEN Spring Film Screening series, we will be screening the film Living Downstream at 7pm on Saturday 11th May 2013. Living Downstream is a cinematic feature length documentary based on the acclaimed book by ecologist and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. 

"Handsomely photographed and powerfully argued. . . . Steingraber's scientific cool and unflagging sense of mission make for an arresting portrait of a self-styled modern-day Rachel Carson."

~ Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post

Click here for more details about the movie and watch the movie trailer.

This is a Pay What You Can event, please RSVP on Eventbrite.

Spring into Beauty with Sustainable Style

connect to beauty vendor image

Just in time for the new season, the 3rd annual Connect Beauty fashion event will celebrate the glamorous, natural and eco-conscious trends of 2013. This eco-chic fashion and beauty show hosted by WHEN and Fashion Takes Action (FTA) is right around the corner. Special thanks are going out today to Revival Bar at 783 College Street for generously donating their exquisite space for this year’s event.

Save the Date:

Wednesday May 22, 2013 7:00 PM

• Sustainable Runway Fashions

• Eco-friendly Silent Auction

• Exciting Raffle prizes

• Delicious h'orderves

• And an array of vendors offering environmentally-conscious personal care products, cosmetics, clothing and jewelry

Early Bird tickets go on sale soon so stay close to be the first to book your seat! For the latest news, like faces you’ll see on the runway, designers and silent auction items to bid on, follow us on Facebook and Twitter #ConnectBeauty.

Connect Beauty Coming Soon!

Interested in sustainable fashion?  Looking at the toxics in your personal care products and looking for safer alternatives?  Connect Beauty is an annual event (3rd year running!) co-hosted by Women's Healthy Environments Network (WHEN) and Fashion Takes Action (FTA).

Watch WHEN's website and Facebook or follow us on  Twitter and look for #ConnectBeauty for information on the date and more!

Are you an eco-friendly business in the health & beauty industry interested in participating in this year's event? We still have a couple of spots left for vendors! We are also accepting items for our silent auction. If you'd like to get involved, contact us.