The skin is a permeable barrier as it is our largest organ. That's why it's especially important that you use products that strengthen – and don't damage – this delicate barrier. Skin is highly absorbent, which you notice when you apply moisturizer. Ideally, we shouldn't put anything on our skin that we wouldn't eat. The same applies to hair care products and oral care products. It's simply better for you, nature, and animals to use natural products. In this article, we go through which chemicals we think you should watch out for in your bathroom cabinet.If you already have some of these in your products, it might be a good idea to clean out your bathroom cabinet and replace them with better alternatives. All hair and skincare products sold on Glimja.se are completely free from harmful preservatives, synthetic additives, animal derivatives, and other ingredients that are not good for us or the planet in the long run. Our products instead contain natural ingredients such as organic oils, fats and waxes, vitamins, plants and herbs, essential oils, etc. They have nourishing and healing properties that lay the foundation for long-term health and sustainability.
17 harmful substances in common body care products
For simplicity, we have created a list of the most harmful substances found in skin and hair care products. This allows you to check if the products you use daily contain substances that we all should avoid. It's worth knowing that some of these substances are also found in so-called "natural/organic body care" products. That's why there are many organic brands we have chosen not to sell. None of the substances on the list below are sold in any of our products.
1. Everything that begins and ends with: TEA, DEA, and MEA
DEA and MEA are hormone-disrupting chemicals known as Cocamide DEA or Lauramide DEA, and they produce carcinogenic nitrates and nitrosamines. They are used as solvents and cleaning agents. TEA can undergo nitrosation when it comes into contact with other chemicals and then becomes a carcinogenic nitrosamine. TEA is an abbreviation for triethanolamine and is used as a thickening agent. It is allergenic and irritating, and can release small amounts of formaldehyde, which is carcinogenic.
2. Phenoxyglycerin and Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that, together with ethylglycerin, is used to produce Phenoxyglycerin. Both are synthetic chemicals. Phenoxyethanol is manufactured through a reaction between phenol and ethylene oxide, which is a toxic substance. Phenol is produced from the petrochemical benzene, which is carcinogenic, but also from propene. Unfortunately, this has become a popular preservative in organic skincare as a substitute for parabens.
3. BHA & BHT
BHA and BHT are known allergens used to prevent products from becoming rancid. In animal testing of these substances, changes were observed in the immune system and blood composition, as well as in the thyroid gland and liver. Both substances accumulate in human tissue and reach the fetus. They can easily be replaced by the natural antioxidant Tocopherol (vitamin E). There is no reason to use them anymore, yet they still are.
4. Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol is used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. It enhances the preservative effect when used together with parabens. This substance is suspected to be disruptive to the brain, liver, and kidneys. Additionally, it irritates the skin. Propylene Glycol is an active substance that is also found in car engines as coolant, in aircraft cooling systems, rubber cleaning products, pillows with polyurethane, in paint, glue, enamel, varnishes, and in many products as a solvent.
5. The Surfactants: Sodium Laureth Sulfate/Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS/SLES)
SLS is a substance that creates lather in many products. SLS can react with other ingredients such as DEA, MEA, and TEA, forming nitrosamines which are carcinogenic. SLS alters the skin structure and allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper into your skin, letting more chemicals reach the bloodstream. It also removes the skin's natural oils (it's used in industrial degreasing). There are nearly 16,000 studies in the PubMed science library that demonstrate the toxicity of this chemical. Other names for this chemical are sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium dodecylsulfate, sulfuric acid, sodium salt sulfuric acid, A12-00356, Akyposal SDS, Aquarex, and natrium lauryl sulfate.
6. Synthetic Preservatives
The substances mentioned below are especially known for causing allergic reactions and skin irritation or releasing the carcinogenic substance formaldehyde: Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, 2-bromo-2-nitropropan-1,3-diol, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternium 15.
These are also dangerous preservatives: p-Phenylenediamine (toxic hair coloring agent), Xylene, Toluene (solvent in nail polish among other things), Methyldibromo Glutaronitrille, Laurylpyridinium Chloride, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol, Diazlidinyl Urea, Bromochlorophene, Chlorphenesin, Chlorothymol.
More dangerous chemicals to avoid: Benzophenone 1, Benzophenone 3, Etylhexyl methoxycinnamate in sunscreens (read more about this here)
7. Silicones: Cyclic siloxanes
Cyclic siloxanes are silicones often found in makeup, skin and hair care products. They are a group of silicones that act as softening agents and make skin or hair feel smooth. Common cyclic siloxanes include cyclotetrasiloxane (D4), cyclopentasiloxane (D5), and cyclohexasiloxane (D6). They all fall under the collective name cyclomethicone. Look for any words containing "cone" or "siloxane." The European Chemicals Agency ECHA has now classified D4 and D5 as persistent; they can accumulate in human tissues and remain in the environment. They are suspected to affect the liver and respiratory system. D4 is now banned in cosmetic products. As of January 31, 2020, D5 was also limited to 0.1% in cosmetic products, while D6 remains.
8. The Surfactants: Trideceth, Laureth, Ceteareth, Glycereth and Steareth
Surfactants are listed on product labels as ingredients with the ending -eth. Anything that begins with, for example, Trideceth- or Laureth- (with any number or word combination) is toxic both to aquatic organisms and the human body. Washing active substances are the foaming emulsifiers known as surfactants found in conventional and some organic shampoos, shower gels, and hand soaps. They are designed to dissolve fat and dirt, and keep it in a liquid form until it is washed away.All surfactants dissolve fat and can therefore also remove the skin's natural fatty substance, sebum, leading to dry skin and dry scalp. The washing active substances can also penetrate the cell membranes and thereby irritate the skin. Some surfactants irritate more than others, e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate remove the natural, protective fat layer and make the skin dry and more vulnerable.
Even Cocomidopropyl Betaine and Ammonium lauryl sulfate, which are used in some organic hair care products, we consider less than ideal, so we have chosen not to sell products containing them. In hair care products on Glimja.se, "gentle" surfactants are used instead, such as in 100% Pure's shampoos. If you don't want any surfactants at all in your hair, you should go for shampoo bars from Nea of Sweden, Grön Lycka, Malin i Ratan, Vermont soap, or Akamuti.
9. Parabens: Butyl-, Methyl-, Ethyl-, Propyl-, Benzyl-
Propylparaben, Methylparaben and all other parabens used as preservatives should be avoided. More than a dozen scientific studies have shown that parabens have an estrogen-like effect. The body can react to the false hormone or be prevented from reacting when a real hormone is formed. It has also been scientifically demonstrated that parabens found in products such as deodorants and creams are absorbed through the skin and accumulate in tissue. Collectively, this doesn't definitively state that parabens cause cancer.This doesn't mean that parabens do not cause cancer. The scientific community believes that substances found in consumer products should be studied more thoroughly, and this takes time. Dr. Philippa D. Darby, a laboratory technician from England, used chromatography and mass spectrometry to examine whether 20 breast cancer tissue samples contained parabens. The researchers report that they found six different types of parabens in the tissue, and all samples contained parabens. They state that the average concentration of all types of parabens in the samples was approximately equal to the amount that caused breast cancer cells to grow in test tubes in previous studies.Darby says that a wide spectrum of substances can mimic estrogen, including certain pesticides, cosmetics, and cleaning agents, and it's possible that aluminum salts and other inorganic estrogen-related substances called "metalloestrogens" can further disrupt normal hormonal signaling in the breast.
Darby also says that human breasts today are exposed to a variety of environmental estrogenic insults.
According to Darby, aluminum from deodorants is particularly concerning because it is applied to an area close to the breast, and remains on the skin.Deodorants are often used after shaving, which makes it easier for aluminum salts to enter the bloodstream. Studies have also shown that aluminum salts can penetrate human skin under the arms. However, Darby says that much more research is needed before they can begin to determine the combined effects of all these chemicals.
The Information Center for Environment and Health has classified Butylparaben, Propylparaben, and Isopropylparaben as "highly environmentally hazardous." They can also be named: Parahydroxybenzoic acid, Benzylparahydroxybenzoic acid, Methylparahydroxybenzoic acid, Ethylparahydroxybenzoic acid, Propylparahydroxybenzoic acid or Butylparahydroxybenzoic acid.
10. Aluminum
Aluminium Sesquichlorohydrate, Aluminium Chloride, Aluminium Chlorohydrex PG and Aluminium Chlorohydrate are all harmful substances used in deodorants. They are synthetic aluminum salts that clog pores and can damage sweat glands and cause inflammatory reactions. Note that natural aluminum salt like alum or potassium alum is not dangerous. The body's cleansing system excretes toxins and waste through the sweat glands, which means that aluminum chloride contributes to reduced detoxification and cleansing in the body's lymphatic system. The body absorbs substances especially easily in the armpit area, particularly after shaving, which can easily damage the skin.
11. Emulsifiers: Mineral Oils, Polysorbate 20 and all numbers
Emulsifiers are the oil or fat components of an emulsion. They prevent drying and protect the skin by lubricating and softening it. Most common skincare products use synthetically produced emulsifiers such as mineral oils (paraffin wax and petroleum jelly). Mostly because they are cheap and stable. Mineral oil creates a film over the skin that prevents it from breathing, inhibits the excretion of waste products, and can therefore irritate the skin.Other synthetic emulsifiers include silicones (methicone and dimethicone). Similar to mineral oils, silicones can affect the skin's ability to excrete waste products and thereby irritate the skin. Silicones are, moreover, not biodegradable either.
Paraffin oils are derived from by-products of crude oil distillation. They are easy to handle and inexpensive, so unfortunately they are widely used. They often go by the names Mineral Oil, Paraffinum Liquidum, Vaseline, Paraffin, White mineral oil, Medical white oil, Oleum petrolen, Oleum vaselini, Paraffinum, Vaseline Oil, E 905, Paraffin Oil, Liquid paraffin.
Polysorbate 20 and other numbered polysorbates are harmful emulsifiers. Polysorbates are synthetic and manufactured on an industrial scale, and residues of ethylene oxide can remain in the chemical. Polysorbates are also often used in organic soap, but we have chosen not to sell it as a safety precaution.
12. Everything containing the words: PPG and PEG (polyethylene glycol)
PPG and PEG are so-called ethoxylated ingredients that are manufactured through heavy chemical processes requiring very strict safety measures. PEG is synthetically produced from propane gas. These very dangerous substances are considered practical and inexpensive for use as emulsifiers, binding agents, and softeners. They can be found in makeup, skincare, shampoo, conditioner, baby wipes, and more. They can make the skin more permeable and allow harmful substances to enter. They are considered to be hormone-disrupting and carcinogenic. They are carcinogenic because when breaking down, they can release small amounts of formaldehyde. In ingredient lists, they are listed as PEG-8, PEG-100 Stearate, etc.
13. Phthalates
Phthalates are softening chemicals that are widely used in plastics. Phthalates is a collective name for a large group of chemical substances based on the compound phthalic acid. Phthalates are used in fragranced beauty products such as conventional perfumes, creams, soaps, and shampoos to make the scent last longer. Phthalates can be found in perfumes, vinyl/PVC flooring, older toys, beach balls, exercise balls, workout mats, and more. Unfortunately, they are still often found in shaving creams, makeup, and skin creams despite many being banned by the EU. Therefore, it is always best to buy natural body care products and replace plastic items in your kitchen. They can be listed as dibutyl and diethylhexyl.
14. PFAS
In cosmetics, PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) are most commonly found in waterproof makeup. PFAS are a large group of substances that are developed to resist dirt, grease, and water. The best-known PFAS substances are PFOS and PFOA. When they enter the environment, they do not break down, but remain and can accumulate in plants and animals. They remain for a long time in our bodies and in our environment. We consequently ingest these substances when we drink water and through foods like fish, eggs, and fruit. Emissions to nature occur during the manufacturing of products (such as kitchen utensils with Teflon).These substances are transferred via the placenta and breast milk to fetuses and breastfed infants. Studies show that PFAS substances can affect the immune system, birth weight, blood cholesterol levels, and liver enzymes.
200 PFAS substances are banned in the EU, but many other PFAS substances are still allowed. PFAS ingredients may be listed as: PTFE, Polytef, Polytefum, all words containing "perfluoro" or "polyfluoro", C9-15 Fluoroalcohol phosphate, Ammonium C6-16 Perfluoroalkylethyl Phosphate, Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy Difluoroethyl Peg Phosphate, Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl ether, Perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane.
15. Triclosan and fluoride
Triclosan is used as an antibacterial agent in products such as toothpastes and dishwashing liquids. It is very harmful to the environment and questioned for human health – as it appears that it may have carcinogenic effects. Fortunately, this substance has decreased significantly in beauty products in recent years. We do not recommend fluoride in toothpaste, but that's an essay in itself.
16. Dioxin
Dioxin has been identified as one of the 216 chemicals linked to breast cancer in animal testing on rats (Cancer's 2007, article on carcinogens). The dangers of dioxins were first pointed out in 1965 and later confirmed (1978), but they are still used in today's hair and skin products. Since the FDA acknowledged the dangers around 1985, it has been stated that manufacturers should avoid these toxins or reduce them to levels below 10 ppm.
In 2005, a study published by the USFDA (Federal Drug Administration, USA) showed that of 7 examined tampon brands from well-known, conventional manufacturers, all contained measurable levels of dioxin. So organic tampons should be an obvious choice. Humans get most dioxins and PCBs through food, including from fatty fish. Read more about this at the food administration website.
17. Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are particles or substances that are nano-sized (extremely small). They are therefore highly reactive and can easily interact with our cells and be transported via the blood to our brains. In cosmetics, nanoparticles can be found in sunscreens. Nanoparticles can occur in many things such as packaging, food and textiles. The particles also have negative environmental impacts. At Glimja, we have zero tolerance for nanoparticles. This applies not only to cosmetics but also to other categories such as food, toys, home and household items, and more.
