Dangerous Beauty: What's in your bathroom?

By Terri Parker, Investigative Reporter,
Published On: Nov 15 2012 11:33:51 AM EST

Do you know how healthy the beauty products you're using are?


From the moment you get up, you pamper with products: on your face, in your mouth, slathered up and down your entire body. How many do you do this each day?

Experts say by the time you finish with the sunscreen and start in with the makeup, you're putting at least 10 products a day on your skin or in your mouth.

And some say many of these staples could seriously damage your health.

"The first thing I do, I ask them. 'What toothpaste are you using, what shampoo, what soap are you using?'" said Dr. Serena Bordes, an alternative medicine practitioner. She added that ingredients in everything from toothpaste to deodorant, even the body wash you use to slosh away germs and grime, can have dangerous chemicals in them.

Bordes and other naturalists say sodium lauryl sulfate is one of the most dangerous. It's a widely used detergent, actually used in industrial products like engine de-greasers and floor cleaners, and they say it can't be good on your skin, your hair or in your mouth.

But some disagree. Dr. David Vastola, who has written a book on nutritional hazards, said some of these claims are exaggerated.
"To a large extent, they're probably not true, but it brings up a whole issue of environmental well-being," Vastola said.
For example, Vastola said he agrees with Bordes that toluene, often used in nail polishes, and phthalates, found in polish, shampoo and soap, definitely are toxic.

"You have to look at the labels to make sure those chemicals are not in there," Vastola said. "They're dangerous; they're carcinogenic."

Another group of chemicals widely accused of being dangerous: parabens. These are preservatives found in all types of cleansers.  Bordes said one study found parabens present in breast-cancer tumors.

"They are the biggest hormone disrupters and they cause women to have infertility problems, weight problems, hormonal problems," Bordes said.

She also said you're better off limiting your exposure by buying all-natural beauty products, even if some all-natural toothpastes and shampoos cost more.

Vastola said he agrees you should read labels, avoid known carcinogens, and make up your own minds about which products you avoid.

"The secret is balance," Vastola said. "Instead of throwing all of this out and getting all this here, just use your common intellect and take the middle of the road."

The FDA does not have to approve ingredients in most cosmetics, so it's up to you to determine which chemicals you use. Many doctors say as long as you don't leave shampoo or other detergents on your skin or scalp for extended periods of time, you shouldn't have a problem.

But if you're very sensitive, have hair loss or compromised health, you should educate yourself about what's in your beauty products, and switch to more natural products if you have concerns.


blog comments powered by Disqus