Petrolatum – Derivatives of petroleum. Look for the suffix “Petro-” on ingredient
labels. Commonly found in jellies and salves. Prevents the skin from breathing and
expelling wastes. Can you say “clogged pores?”
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) – Toxic substance found in most dish washing
products. Usually found in anti-microbial soaps.
Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA), Triethanolamine (TEA) –
Commonly found in shampoo, soaps, and facial cleansers. All are hormone
disruptor that are linked to liver and kidney cancers.
Triclosan – Antibacterial agent found in soaps, household cleansers, and toothpaste.
The EPA registers this as a pesticide because it behaves much in the same way as
agent orange, a similar synthetic substance.
Propylene Glycol – Active ingredient found in antifreeze, deodorants, and color
cosmetics. Side effects include brain, liver, and kidney damage.
EDTA – Abbreviation for Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid! A common toxic
chemical that has been noted to have reproductive and developmental effects.
Mineral oil – One of the most universally used ingredients in skin care products. It
not only attracts dirt and causes blackheads, it also clogs the skin can speeds up the
aging process. Your skin cannot breathe under mineral oil; because it’s like
wrapping your skin in plastic wrap.
Paraffin, Beeswax, Candelilla Wax, and Carnauba Wax are all skin clogging
waxes commonly included in cleansing creams, eye creams, and moisturizers. All
lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and enlarged pores. Just think for a moment about
these waxes. In solid form, waxes are thick, hard and waterproof. Do any of these
characteristics sound like they’d be good for your skin?
Lanolin – Very effective for moist wound healing (especially for breastfeeding
mothers). In other applications it’s a terrible pore clogger and allergen for many
people.