Skin Deep Cosmetic Database

This past weekend I had the opportunity of attending the Annual Workshop sponsored by Breast Cancer Action Montreal. The workshop focused on Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics , what some of the problem ingredients in cosmetics are, how Health Canada's regulations are not protecting us sufficiently, and how to make the Environmental Working Group. Skin Deep Cosmetic Database your new best friend.

This website is no stranger to me. I have a share post on Health Central Network, (Diabetes) as my husband is diabetic.

Last March David Mendosa wrote an article "Diabetes and Cracked Fingertips, Everyone's Hands Need Help " which alerted me to the potentially harmful chemicals called phthalates and parabens. Searching for more information on these chemicals I discovered the Cosmetic Database which has changed the way I take care of my skin.

Cosmetics and beauty products are not regulated by the FDA unless they make a specific health claim. Examples of specific claims are: "kills bacteria" & "helps fight infection". Products are expected to be safe. If products are shown to be dangerous they must be removed from the market. However, what isn't as easy to show is the long term build up, in the body, of some chemicals found in modern cosmetic and body care products.

Most consumers don't realize that many "natural products" in health food stores contain harmful, and in some cases, cancer-forming ingredients. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists Propylene Glycol as a chemical so dangerous that when it is disposed of it must be handled as toxic waste. However, most "natural" under arm deodorants contain Propylene Glycol as the main ingredient. I checked out the deodorant I was using and sure enough it did contain Propylene Glycol!

The Skin Deep Database is a goldmine of information. It pairs ingredients in more than 40,000 products against 50 definitive toxicity and regulatory databases, making it the largest integrated data resource of its kind.

Once you have checked out this website, you will change the way you look at the cosmetics you use.