Your Cosmetics Are Killing You

Cosmetics aren't regulated as strictly as food. What's in your makeup may be horrible for your health.
The regulations of the cosmetic industry are not as stringent as the food industry.

A product "made with organic ingredients" can legitimately contain 30% toxins. Is it really safe for your skin?

Your favorite cosmetics may be killing you.

Biochemist Dr. Jennifer Dietrich recommends avoiding "Dr. Jen's Dirty Baker's Dozen" ingredients in your cosmetics:

  1. Sodium/Ammonium Laurel Sulfate. It gets absorbed by the body and irritates the skin.
  2. Parabens. Linked to cancer; causes endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity.
  3. Propylene Glycol. This is often contaminated with known carcinogens.
  4. Phthalates. Present in many fragrances and linked to endocrine disruption, liver/kidney/lung damage and cancer.
  5. Petrolatum. This suffocates the skin, leads to premature aging, aggravates acne, and can be found in breast tumors.
  6. Cocamide DEA/Lauramide DEA. Carcinogens.
  7. Diazolidinyl Urea. Releases formaldehyde, causes skin and eye irritation, tends to cause allergic reaction, and can have reproductive side effects.
  8. Butyl Acetate. Vapors can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Can cause skin to dry out and crack.
  9. Butlated Hydroxytulene. Causes skin and eye irritation.
  10. Ethyl Acetate. Dangerous to the respiratory system.
  11. Toluene. Disrupts the immune and endocrine systems, as well as fetal development.
  12. Triethanolamine. Skin, eye, and hair irritation. High doses can have negative effects on organs.
  13. Talc. Linked to ovarian cancer and reproductive problems.
Listen in as Dr. Jen explains what to avoid when selecting your makeup.

Additional Info

  • Segment Number: 4
  • Audio File: ER_101/1614er5d.mp3
  • Featured Speaker: Jennifer Dietrich, PhD
  • Guest Facebook Account: www.facebook.com/AtomicCosmetics
  • Guest Twitter Account: @drbadjen
  • Guest Bio: Dr. Jen DietrichDr. Jennifer Dietrich received her B.A. in Pathogenic Microbiology (University of Kansas, 1999) and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Biophysics (University of Kansas, 2004) with a focus on the cellular mechanisms of aging, including Alzheimer’s diagnostic technique.

    About eight years ago, she noticed that her skincare products (Origins moisturizer, Lancome eye cream, and Body Shop body butter) ALL had hazard ratings of 7 or above out of 10, as established by the EWG (Environmental Working Group). Dr. Jen ditched the contents of her medicine cabinet and makeup bag, and began using her big brain to make fresh, seasonal skincare and cosmetics for herself. In the summer of 2012, she began making her products available to the public.
  • Length (mins): 10
  • Waiver Received: No
  • Host: Leigh Vinocur, MD