Drying, irritating solvent that strips skin’s moisture and immune barrier, making you vulnerable to bacteria and viruses. Made from a petroleum derivative found in shellac and antifreeze as well as personal care products. Promotes brown spots and premature aging. A Consumers Dictionary of Cosmetics Ingredients says it may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting and coma. Fatal ingested dose is one ounce or less.

Is an antioxidant and synthetic preservative that is used in food, food packaging, cosmetics, rubber, and petroleum products. It is used to slow down the deterioration of foods to prolong shelf life. BHA is used in many processed foods that are cooked or fried in animal oils, because the antioxidant properties are not lost when heated. You will find it in butter, meats, cereals, baked goods, snack foods, chewing gum, nuts, sausage, poultry and beer. It is also used in many cosmetics, especially lipstick and eye shadow. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services has stated ‘butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals’. To avoid BHA, check the labels on products that are likely to contain the compound. Also check for products containing BHT(butylated hydroxytoluene), which is a compound closely related to BHA.

Bismuth, chlorine and oxygen combine together to create bismuth oxychloride; an inexpensive filler used by many mainstream mineral make-up companies to give a creamy, smooth feel. The basic chemical properties of bismuth oxychloride are closely related to antimony and arsenic; but it is regarded as safe and the FDA approved it for use in products for the face, eyes, lips and nails. However, skin irritation from bismuth oxychloride is not unusual, especially considering its sharp, rough crystalline structure. According the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for bismuth oxychloride, there is a risk of it being a potential irritant to humans when it comes in contact with the skin or eyes. The skin may become red, irritated, itching, with small bumps or pimples, burning or looking swollen. Also it can make acne cystic by congesting pores and cause rosacea to flare up. Discerning, careful consumers, especially those who have rosacea, skin sensitivities, or are prone to acne, should avoid this ingredient.

Better known as ‘carmine’ – that beautiful crimson red color that you find in many cosmetic and food items – like Dannon Boysenberry Yogurt and Tropicana Ruby Red Grapefruit juice and even Coca-Cola – get their healthy hues in part from crushed female cochineal beetles. That�s right, carmine is actually derived from the Cochineal Beetle; A tiny bug that loves the prickly pear cactus and its fruit (which is very red). Eating this red prickly pear fruit gives the beetle its red coloring, and causes it to be prized as a ‘dye’ for which it has to ‘die’ to provide. Yep, the bugs are scraped off the cactus plant into a vat of hot water, where they die. Their little carcasses are then dried in the sun, and crushed into powder. One pound of dye is produced from about 70,000 beetle bodies. While seemingly not as toxic when compared to some of the other ingredients listed here, it rates high for the gross out factor and of course the humane factor (which is why vegans don�t do carmine!). But this red dye (crushed beetle bits) is also known to cause allergies ranging from mild cases of hives to atria fibrillation and, in rare cases, anaphylactic shock. A new U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation will require all foods and cosmetics containing cochineal to declare it on their ingredient labels as of January 5, 2011. Until then, watch the label for listings of ‘E120′ or ‘natural color’ when cochineal or ‘carmine’ is present. DeVita products never have, and never will contain carmine!

Hormone-disrupting chemicals that can form cancer-causing nitrates. Restricted in Europe due to carcinogenic effects, yet are still used in U.S. Americans may be exposed 10-20 times per day with shampoos, shaving creams and bubble baths. Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois, says that repeated applications of DEA-based detergents results in major increases in liver and kidney cancer. The FDA’s John Bailey says, ‘The risk is significantly increased for children.’

Two of many preservatives that often release formaldehyde which cause joint pain, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infection, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. Exposure also irritates the respiratory system, triggers heart palpitations of asthma and aggravates coughs and colds. Other side effects include weakening the immune system and cancer.

Synthetic colors from coal tar that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and death.

BUMMER! Lead in lipstick? REALLY?? Turns out it is true (!) In October 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 33 popular brands of lipsticks at an independent lab for lead content. The results: 61 percent of lipsticks contained lead. ‘Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure,’ according to Mark Mitchell, M.D., MPH, president of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states: ‘No safe blood lead level has been identified.’ The agency suggests avoiding all sources of lead exposure, including lead-containing cosmetics. Enough said – No lead in DeVita Lipstick�.! Or anything else!

Petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic wrap, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. Baby oil is 100% mineral oil!

A recent report is questioning the safety of the most common group of cosmetics preservatives called parabens. Studies show that parabens – alkyl hydroxy parabens – alpha hydroxy benzoate (methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl-paraben are weakly estrogenic. In others words, these preservatives have the ability to mimic estrogen in the body with butyl-paraben being the most potent. Parabens are synthetic chemicals used as a preservative to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds. Parabens are known to disrupt endocrine (hormone) function. More than 12 research studies(1) show parabens to have estrogenic activity in animals and in tissue culture. Recent research detected five types of intact parabens in human breast tumors (2).

You see this one on many lip products, which is just stunning because they’re usually advertised as protecting the lips from sunburn, chapping etc… Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly, and mineral oil causes a lot of problems when used on the skin photosensitivity (i.e., promotes sun damage), and it tends to interfere with the body’s own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dry skin and chapping. In short – when you purchase petrolatum products you are being sold a product that creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap.

Phthalates are a class of widely used industrial compounds known technically as dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid. There are many phthalates with many uses, and just as many toxicological properties. In hundreds of animal studies, they have demonstrated damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system, especially the developing testes. Phthalates are used as a plastic softener and solvent in many different consumer products such as detergents, nail polish, hair spray and shampoo. They can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled as fumes, ingested when they contaminate food or when children bite or suck on toys, and are inadvertently directly administered to patients from PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) medical devices.

Carcinogenic petroleum ingredients that reduces the skin’s natural moisture. Increases the appearance of aging and leaves you vulnerable to bacteria. Used in spray-on oven cleansers to dissolve oil and grease.

Found in Anti-freeze. Petroleum by-products that act as surfactants (wetting agents and solvents), they easily penetrate skin and weaken protein and cellular structure. Commonly used to make extracts from herbs. PG is strong enough to remove barnacles from boats! The EPA requires workers to wear protective clothing and to dispose of any PG solutions in toxic waste dumps. Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. But there isn’t even a warning label on products suck as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater that in industrial applications.

A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, wavesets and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons.

The most recent addition to personal care products. This is the same as the caustic lye found in drain cleaners. The warning label on sodium hydroxide products reads ‘POISON. May be fatal or cause permanent damage if swallowed. May cause blindness. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mouth and clothing.’ Yet, the cosmetic industry is now putting it in your skin care products and oral care products.

Detergents that pose serious health threats. Used in garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers – and in 90% of personal care products that foam. Animals exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and even death. Young eyes may not develop properly if exposed to SLS. May damage the skin’s immune system. Can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens. Your body may retain the SLS for up to five days and maintain residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain.

A chemical used in hair conditioners and creams. Causes allergic reactions. Stearalkonium chloride was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, and is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which do help hair health. Toxic.

Can contain up to four thousand ingredients (including animal urine), many toxic or carcinogenic. Causes headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing, vomiting and skin irritation. Fragrances affect the nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope and other behavioral changes.

Talc is a mineral, produced by the mining of talc rocks and then processed by crushing, drying and milling. Processing eliminates a number of trace minerals from the talc, but does not separate minute fibers which are very similar to asbestos. Talc poses a health risk when exposed to the lungs. Talc is closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos. Talc particles have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims. For the last 30 years, scientists have closely scrutinized talc particles and found dangerous similarities to asbestos. Responding to this evidence in 1973, the FDA drafted a resolution that would limit the amount of asbestos-like fibers in cosmetic grade talc. However, no ruling has ever been made and today, cosmetic grade talc remains non-regulated by the federal government. This inaction ignores a 1993 National Toxicology Program report which found that cosmetic grade talc, without any asbestos-like fibers, caused tumors in animal subjects. Clearly with or without asbestos-like fibers, cosmetic grade talcum powder is a carcinogen.

This one is terrifying! A Synthetic ‘antibacterial’ with a chemical structure similar to Agent Orange. The EPA registers it as a pesticide, giving it high scores as a risk to human death and the environment. It is in a class of chemicals suspected of causing cancer in humans. Its manufacturing process can produce dioxin, a hormone-disrupting chemical with toxic effects measured in the parts per trillion, that is one drop in 300 Olympic sized swimming pools! Hormone disruptors can change genetic materials, decreased fertility and sexual function and foster birth defects. Internally, it can lead to cold sweats, circulatory collapse and convulsions. Stored in body fat, it can accumulate to toxic levels, damaging the liver, kidneys and lungs and can cause paralysis, suppression of immune function, brain hemorrhages and heart problems. Tufts University School of Medicine says triclosan can force the emergence of ‘super bugs’ that it cannot kill. Its widespread use in antibacterial cleanser, tooth pastes and household products may have untold implications for our future.