Glossary of Chemicals and Synthetics

AHA (alpha hydroxy acid):
- Skin is exfoliated chemically instead of mechanically via abrasion, dries the skin and increases aging. Supposed to be anti-wrinkle, found in many skin and hair care products. Used as a solvent originally in cleaning compounds and for tanning leather. A smooth finish is developed by stripping the outer layer of the skin, irritated skin can puff up.
Acetamide MEA:
- Used in lipstick and cream blusher to retain moisture. Causes adverse reactions, carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic.
Alkyl-phenol-ethoxylades:
- Mimics estrogen. Used in shampoos. It is carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic. Causes adverse reactions. Reduces sperm count.
Ammonium laureth sulphate:
- Found in hair and bubble bath products. Laureth contains either that is listed as carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and causes adverse reactions.
Aluminum:
- Used as colour additive in cosmetics, especially eye shadow. Listed as carcinogenic, toxic and mutagenic.
Alcohol:
- Acts as a carrying and antifoaming agent. Fast drying, water and oil solvent. If synthetically produced is carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and causes adverse reactions.
Bentonite:
- Used in facial mask, make-up, face powder. Supposed to draw out toxins and claimed to be non-toxic, but rats died when injected with it.
Benzene:
- Found combined with other chemicals in many personal care product and is a known bone marrow poison. Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and causes adverse reactions.
Coal Tar:
- Many kinds of shampoos designed to treat dandruff and flaky scalp contain it. Disguised with names like FD, FDC, or FD&C colour. Coal tar causes potentially severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, fatigue, nervousness, headaches, nausea, lack of concentration and cancer.
Cocamide DEA:
- Nitrosamines can form in all cosmetic ingredients containing amines and amino derivatives with nitrogen compounds. When DEA is applied to the skin then known carcinogens can form.
Cocomide DEA:
- Mostly found in shampoos. Contains nitrosamines that are known carcinogens causing allergic reactions and contact dermatitis.
Cocomidopropyl Betaine:
- Used in shampoo in combination with other surfactants. Synthetic. Causes eyelid dermatitis.
Carbomer 934, 940, 941, 960, 961 C:
- As thickener, stabilizer in creams, toothpaste, eye makeup, bathing products. May cause eye irritation.
DEA (diethanolamine):
- A synthetic solvent, detergent and humectant widely used in brake fluid, industrial degreasers and antifreeze. Mostly used in liquid soap, shampoo and conditioner. Can be harmful for the liver, kidneys and pancreas. May cause cancer in various organs. Irritates skin, eyes, mucous membranes. Found also in hair dye, lotions, creams, bubble bath, liquid dishwashing detergent and laundry soap Health risk especially to infants and young children. Forms nitrosamines known to be carcinogens. Causes allergic reactions and other contact dermatitis. Hazardous and toxic.
Dimethylamine:
- Secondary amines cause allergic dermatitis. Carcinogenic properties.
Dioform:
- Many toothpaste and other tooth whiteners contain it. Damages your teeth enamel weakening their protective shell.
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Disodium EDTA:
- May contain dangerous levels of ethylene oxide and/or dixane, both potent toxins. A manufacturing byproduct. Also used as chelating agent. Carcinogenic.
Hydantoin DMDM:
- Causes dermatitis. Acts as a preservative and may release formaldehyde and is a suspected carcinogen. Rats develop cancer when injected with this chemical.
Elastin:
- Supposed to improve the elasticity of the skin when applied externally, however, there is no proof.
FDC-n (FD&C):
- Various different colours. Some are simply irritant while others are strong carcinogens.
Fluoride:
- Hazardous chemical. Researchers linked it to cancer years ago. No one is listening. Fluoridated toothpaste is especially dangerous to young children who tend to swallow it after brushing their teeth. Supposed to stop tooth decay. Scientists are now linking fluoride to dental deformity, arthritis, allergic reactions, can lead to Crohn's disease. A manufacturing toxic by-product.
Formaldehyde:
- Due to its bad name it is sometimes hidden under the name DMDM hydantoin or MDM hydantion. Trade name if Formalin which is also used in vaccines. Released by diazolidinyl urea. Causes dermatitis, adverse effects, is very toxic when swallowed or inhaled, skin irritant, very toxic, a suspected carcinogen and linked to cancer.
Glycols (group):
- Causes delay contact allergy. Used as humectant (emulsifier/moisturizer). In most cases as a cheap glycerin substitute. Propylene glycol did case liver abnormalities and kidney damage in laboratory animals. Diethylene glycol and carbitol are considered toxic. Ethylene glycol is a suspected bladder carcinogen. Glycols are carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and cause adverse reactions.
Imidazolidinyl Urea:
- Causes dermatitis. If heated to higher temperatures it produces formaldehyde.
Lauramide DEA:
- Nitrosomines can form in all cosmetic ingredients containing amines and amino acid derivatives. with nitrogen compounds and nitrosamines and known carcinogens.
Methyl Chloroisothiazolinine:
- Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and cases adverse reactions.
Paba (p-aminobenzoic acid):
- Causes photo sensitivity and contact dermatitis. A common sunscreen ingredient.
Parabens:
- Trademark for butyl, ethyl, germa, methyl, propyl paraben. Causes dermatitis. Used as a preservative in a variety of personal care products especially cream and lotion. Allergic reactions. Petroleum based.
PEG (4-200):
- Abbreviation for polyethylene glycol, polyoxethylene, polyglycol, polyether glycol. A manufacturing by-product. Dangerous levels of the toxin dioxane has been found in this product.
Phosphoric Acid:
- As an inorganic phosphate acid it is very disruptive to the skin if used in high concentrations.
Phenoxyethanol:
- Causes allergic reactions.
Polysorbate- (20-85):
- Causes contact sensitivity and irritation.
Polyquaternium:
- Followed by any number they are carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and causes adverse reactions. Induced contact dermatitis, causes fatal drug allergy (anaphylactic shock), may cause increased sensitivity to muscle relaxants.
Propylene Glycol:
- Found in most shampoo and conditioner. Derived from petroleum products. Also used in anti-freeze, de-icer, latex, paint, and laundry detergent. Can cause irritation of nasal and respiratory passages and if ingested, can cause nausea, vomitting and diarrhea. Research also shows it is mutagenic, causes cardiac arrest. Japanese studies also show it damages cell DNA (genetic code). Strongly degreases and dries skin.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate:
- Causes skin irritation and dermatitis. Used mainly in shampoo and conditioners. Has ether added and is toxic.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate:
- An ingredient used in 90% of commercially available shampoo and conditioners. Corrodes hair follicles and impedes hair growth. If found in car wash soap, engine degreasers, toothpaste, cream, lotion, and garage floor cleaners. Penetrates your eyes, brain, lover and remains there for long term. Degenerates cell membranes and can change the genetic information (mutagenic) in cells and damages the immune system. May cause blindness and lead to cataracts. Eyes cannot heal properly. Retards the healing process.
Sodium Cyanide:
- Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic, and causes adverse reactions.
Sodium Oleth Sulfate:
- May contain dangerous levels of ethylene oxide and/or dioxane, both potent toxins.
Sodium PCA (NAPCA):
- Conditioner for skin and hair, synthetic version can seriously dry the skin and cause allergic reactions.
Styrene Monomer:
- Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and causes adverse reactions.
Stearamidopropyl Tetrasodium EDTA:
- Nitrosomines can form in all cosmetic ingredients containing amines and amino acid derivatives. with nitrogen compounds and nitrosamines and known carcinogens.
Talc:
- Hazardous. Toxic by inhalation. Some talc found to contain amphibole particle distribution typical to asbestos (which is cancer causing).
Toluene:
- Used as a solvent in cosmetics, especially nail polish and dyes. Also in pharmaceuticals and gasoline as a blending agent.
Triethanolamine (TEA):
- Causes severe facial dermatitis, irritation and sensitivity. Used as pH adjuster. Reacts with stearic acid to form oil in water emulsions (typically lotions). May contain nitrosamines, known carcinogens.

Descriptive Words:

Carcinogen (carcinogenic): known to be cancer causing.
Humectant: a product which helps the skin retain moisture... vegetable glycerin is a humectant.
Mutagenic: changes the genetic code which are the building blocks of cells.
Toxic: poisonous, either short term or long term.

Suggested Reading:

Beauty To Die For by Judie Vance
Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care by Aubrex Hampton
Creating Your Own Cosmetic - Naturally by Niklaus J. Smeth
Don't Go To The Cosmetic Counter Without Me by Paula Begound
Your Natural Health Makeover by Dr. Lauri Aesoph

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The information on this site is educational in nature and is not intended to recommend or replace the advice of a qualified health practitioner. As each person is an individual, any dietary or lifestyle recommendations or treatments can and will only be recommended after a thorough review of the individual's health history has been done and a diagnosis has been made by Dr. Seliski.