The Science
Don't take our word for it! Here's where you will find information (backed by data and scientific studies) about parabens, sulfates, phthalates, dyes, insecticides, pesticides, and more.
#1 PARABENS!
What are these nasty buggers we're hearing so much about in the news?
Paraben-free this and paraben-free that.....
But why?
Parabens prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast.
However, parabens can mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen in the body and may have multiple negative health effects, such as:
Cancer
Reproductive Disorders
Birth Defects
Erectile Dysfunction
- What are parabens? | Environmental Working Group (ewg.org)
- Minireview: Parabens Exposure and Breast Cancer - PMC (nih.gov)
- Prenatal Exposure to Parabens Affects Birth Outcomes through Maternal Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) Polymorphisms: From the Mothers and Kids Environmental Health (MAKE) Study - PMC (nih.gov)
- Concentrations of urinary parabens and reproductive hormones in Iranian women: Exposure and risk assessment - ScienceDirect
- Exposure to parabens may be the reason for higher breast cancer risk in Black women (news-medical.net)
- Methylparaben stimulates tumor initiating cells in ER+ breast cancer models - PMC (nih.gov)
- Endocrine Library | Endocrine Society
- Erectile Dysfunction in Men on the Rise: Is There a Link with Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals? | Sexual Development | Karger Publishers
- Environmental Toxicants and Male Sexual Dysfunctions - ScienceDirect
#2 DYES (LAKES)
Dyes are commonly used in skin care products and vitamins to add color and make them more visually appealing.
But....
recent research has raised concerns about the safety of these compounds.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that some common dyes can cause:
Allergic reactions
Eczema
Psoriasis.
The study also found that some dyes can be absorbed into the skin and potentially cause systemic toxicity, contributing to:
Anxiety
Restlessness
ADHD-like symptoms and behaviors
- Colorful Chemicals: Why Dyes in Your Personal Care Products Are Harmfu – Bend Soap Company
- Artificial Food Colors and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Symptoms: Conclusions to Dye for - PMC (nih.gov)
#3 PHTHALATES
Phthalates can be found in many personal care products, including bath and body and hair care products.
However, recent research has suggested that exposure to phthalates can cause:
Preterm birth
Developmental delays
Inflammation
Skin conditions
Allergies
Erectile Dysfunction
Decreased libido
- What are phthalates? | Environmental Working Group (ewg.org)
- Endocrine Library | Endocrine Society
- Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Phthalate Exposure and Preterm Birth: A Pooled Study of Sixteen U.S. Cohorts | Environmental Health Perspectives | Vol. 131, No. 12 (nih.gov)
- Erectile Dysfunction in Men on the Rise: Is There a Link with Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals? | Sexual Development | Karger Publishers
- Environmental Toxicants and Male Sexual Dysfunctions - ScienceDirect
- Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals - Endotext - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
- Environmental exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate is associated with low interest in sexual activity in premenopausal women - PMC (nih.gov)
#4 SLES
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) poses several potential dangers, primarily:
Skin and eye irritation during use
#5 PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present significant dangers due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential adverse health effects. These synthetic chemicals have been linked to various health concerns:
Cancer
Immune system suppression
Reproductive issues
Developmental delays
Because PFAS can accumulate in the body over time, even low levels of exposure may have long-lasting health impacts.
- PFAS resources | Environmental Working Group (ewg.org)
- Is Teflon in Your Cosmetics? || Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database | EWG
- Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS | US EPA
- Environmental Toxicants and Male Sexual Dysfunctions - ScienceDirect
#6 TRICLOSAN
Triclosan, a common antimicrobial agent found in products such as soaps and hand sanitizers, poses several significant dangers to both human health and the environment...
Antibiotic resistance
Hormonal disruption
Thyroid disruption
Possible harm to aquatic life
- Triclosan: Not Safe, Not Effective | Environmental Working Group (ewg.org)
- Cheatsheet: Triclosan | Environmental Working Group (ewg.org)
#7 FORMALDEHYDE
The inclusion of formaldehyde in cosmetics presents substantial hazards to human health, with well-documented risks ranging from:
Skin irritation
Cancer
- U.S. (finally) Labels Formaldehyde "Known Human Carcinogen" | Environmental Working Group (ewg.org)
- Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk - NCI
- Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk | American Cancer Society
More links so you can read for yourself:
Minireview: Parabens Exposure and Breast Cancer - PMC (nih.gov)
Parabens - Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP)
Parabens and Breast Cancer | Natural Medicine Journal
Lotion ingredient paraben may be more potent carcinogen than thought | Berkeley