Harmful ingredients in personal care products

12/04/2024 / By HRS Editors

Did you know that while the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulate the food you eat, these agencies do not regulate personal care products?

That might not seem important, but many personal care products you use may include harmful ingredients that can endanger your overall health. (h/t to Healthline.com)

Avoid these harmful chemicals in common personal care products

For a 2021 report, scientists tested 231 popular makeup products from the U.S. and Canada. The results showed that more than 100 tested samples contained per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAs are chemicals that don’t break down and build up in your body over time. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), PFAs include perfluorooctanoic acid, which may cause cancer.

Here are some chemicals to avoid the next time you need to buy personal care products for yourself and your family:

Aluminum

Aluminum is included in some deodorants, eye makeup products and lipsticks. Aluminum can cause skin irritation.

Additionally, experts have warned that aluminum could be a carcinogen or a cancer-causing agent.

One 2015 study found that aluminum can increase the migration of breast cancer cells. The research team called for more research to shed more light on the link between aluminum exposure and cancer risk.

In 2013, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review announced that alumina and aluminum hydroxide were safe to put in cosmetics, adding that it doesn’t get absorbed into the skin and less than one percent is absorbed orally.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a preservative often used in shampoos and soaps, but it may cause skin irritation or allergies. It is a common irritant.

According to the ACS, personal care products like shampoos often contain formaldehyde levels that are “far below hazardous.” However, the organization also warned that keratin hair smoothing treatments can raise indoor air concentration to hazardous levels.

Fragrances

The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It also has high absorption and this means that skin care products that can be absorbed and enter the bloodstream may have adverse effects on your well-being. (Related: CHEMICALS LIST: Toxic ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products.)

Certain ingredients, such as synthetic or highly concentrated fragrances or chemicals in personal care products can cause skin sensitivity, irritation, or a more intense allergy.

Symptoms can include:

Blisters
Bumps
Burning
Itching
Redness
Roughness
Scaling
Stinging

Methyl and propyl parabens

Both methyl and propyl parabens are preservatives that act as hormone disruptors. According to a 2017 study on gerbil prostates, methylparaben could disrupt estrogenic and androgenic receptors that might affect the prostate.

Another 2017 study suggested that while parabens, including methyl and propyl parabens, posed little health risk, they could inhibit compounds with anti-estrogenic properties.

PEGs (polyethylene glycols)

Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are a potential skin irritant. PEGs are commonly used in creams, hair products and lotions because they can act as skin conditioners and humectants, a common moisturizing agent.

Where to find lab-verified personal care products free from harmful chemicals

The Health Ranger Store is committed to helping you maintain good overall health using products that only contain non-toxic ingredients.

That’s why we’re proud to introduce an assortment of lab-verified products that are free of harmful chemicals, such as Colloidal Silver Mouthwash & Gargle (with Iodine and Zinc), Health Ranger’s Tea Tree and Lavender Shampoo and Oxygen-Infused Body Oil.

Use Health Ranger Select Colloidal Silver Mouthwash & Gargle (with Iodine and Zinc) to support optimal oral health.

You can trust that Health Ranger Select Colloidal Silver Mouthwash & Gargle (with Iodine and Zinc) from the Health Ranger Store is thoroughly lab-tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. Proudly made in the USA, Health Ranger Select Colloidal Silver Mouthwash & Gargle (with Iodine and Zinc) also doesn’t contain harmful ingredients such as alcohol, aspartame, or fluoride.

It contains non-toxic ingredients such as colloidal silver, myrrh, stevia and peppermint oil. It is also gluten-free.

Keep your hair smelling floral and fresh with Health Ranger’s Tea Tree and Lavender Shampoo made with the finest organic coconut, olive and sunflower oils.

This shampoo is free of harsh chemicals, and it has a luxurious texture and cleansing bubbles that wash away dirt while leaving your hair feeling clean and rejuvenated.

It also contains Tea Tree and Lavender, which both provide a pleasantly refreshing scent. Health Ranger’s Tea Tree and Lavender Shampoo is laboratory-verified for safety and purity. It is also 100 percent China-free, non-GMO and non-synthetic.

To use Health Ranger’s Tea Tree and Lavender Shampoo, coat wet hair with a liberal amount of shampoo. Gently massage your scalp and roots with your fingertips to work into a lather. Rinse and repeat when necessary.

We also offer Oxygen-Infused Body Oil, an all-over-the-body skin conditioner. The natural restorative esters of jojoba are lightly saturated with ozone to nourish the skin like no other. Jojoba offers cellular nourishment for your skin.

Apply daily if using Oxygen-Infused Body Oil as a full-body skin conditioner. It can also be used after a shower, under makeup, to soften dry areas of skin throughout the day, condition hair, or for a great massage.

Note that a little bit of product goes a long way. Some gelling may occur in cooler temperatures. Shake or warm bottle as needed.

Oxygen-Infused Body Oil has a stable shelf life. As an ester, it does not go rancid.

Oxygen-Infused Body Oil is made with USDA Certified Organic Jojoba with ozone-oxygen. It is thoroughly lab-tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. It is also China-free.

Visit Chemicals.news to learn about the harmful ingredients often used in personal care products. You can also visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store to find more lab-verified personal care products.

Click on this link to learn more about must-have food items for your survival stockpile.

Watch this clip about the toxic chemicals in your soap and shampoo that you should avoid.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.