The Despicable Dirty Dozen!

Holy hug a tree Batman! We need to talk!

Just in time for Tree Huggin' Tuesday today, the David Suzuki Foundation has released its findings from a survey/study it started earlier this year that took an in-depth look at the multitude of toxic chemicals that are found in what are seemingly harmless everyday personal care products. From toothpaste to shampoo, to make up to deodorant, no stone, er, I mean product, it seems was left uncovered. Over 12,550 products were investigated through 6,243 participants. To say this was a fairly in-depth study would be an understatement.

It is so easy to become complacent. To assume that just because a product is on a store shelf, or because there isn't an immediate reaction to something, that it must be safe. That is not the case my friends, not at all...

Take a look at this list as noted on the David Suzuki Foundation website. At least 80% of the 12,550 products investigated contained at least ONE of these ingredients, also known as the Dirty Dozen:

1. BHA and BHT: Used mainly in moisturizers and makeup as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disruptors and may cause cancer (BHA). Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

2. Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as "CI" followed by five digits. P-phenylenediamine is used in some hair dyes; other colours are used in a variety of cosmetics. Potential to cause cancer and may be contaminated with heavy metals toxic to the brain

3. DEA-related ingredients: Used in some creamy and foaming products, such as moisturizers and shampoos. Can react to form nitrosamines, which may cause cancer. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

4. Dibutyl phthalate: Used as a plasticizer in some nail care products. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

5. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: Used in a variety of cosmetics. Slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer.

6. Paraben, methylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben: Used in a variety of cosmetics as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disrupters and may interfere with male reproductive functions.

7. Parfum: Any mixture of fragrance ingredients used in a variety of cosmetics. Some fragrance ingredients can trigger allergies and asthma. Some linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Some harmful to fish and other wildlife.

8. PEGs (e.g., PEG -60): Used in some cosmetic cream bases. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer.

9. Petrolatum: Used in some hair products for shine and as a moisture barrier in some lip balms, lip sticks and moisturizers. Can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may cause cancer.

10. Siloxanes: Used in a variety of cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane). Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

11. Sodium laureth sulfate: Used in some foaming cosmetics, such as shampoos, cleansers and bubble bath. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer.

12. Triclosan: Used in some antibacterial cosmetics, such as toothpastes, cleansers and deodorants. Suspected endocrine disrupter and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.


So what is an "endocrine disruptor" you ask?

Well in laymen terms, it is a synthetic chemical that interferes with every cell, organ and function of our bodies. From intelligence, to fetal development, to our moods, metabolism and reproduction. We don't want our endocrine systems disrupted folks, it's just not a good thing no matter how pretty you smell.

Formaldehyde Releasing Preservatives are not listed as such on the bottle. Manufacturers know better than that! They are often under the guise of names such as "Quaternium 15" (which is often found in baby shampoos of all things). What happens with a chemical like Q15 is that when it mixes with water (i.e. in the bath, shower or when it is absorbed into your skin and mixes with the water in your body) it turns into formaldehyde. Your skin is an amazing sponge that absorbs everything, good and bad (think of all the medications that are delivered via a patch or cream).

Do you really want your baby sitting in a tub full of formaldehyde? I didn't think so.

So what did the David Suzuki Foundation find that was safer to use and reported to be free of the Dirty Dozen? Quite a few and I realize there is more out there that isn't listed, so if you are aware of a product that isn't on this list, please comment and let us know. Ideally we would like to create a go to list for people regarding safe products.

The "Safer" List
(as per the David Suzuki Foundation Study)

Products sold under the following brand names (among others) were frequently reported to be free of the Dirty Dozen ingredients:

• Prairie Naturals
• Jason
• Tom's of Maine
• Green Beaver
• Aubrey's Organics
• Nature's Gate

Most Loaded Products
(as per the David Suzuki Foundation Study)

The following products reportedly contained at least six of the Dirty Dozen:

• Bath & Body Works: Bubble Baths, Antibacterial Moisturizing Hand Lotions, Sweet Pea Body Lotion, Warm Vanilla Sugar Hand Cream

• Canus (Caprina) Li'l Goat's Milk Shampoo and Body Wash

• Caprina Fresh Goat's Milk Body Wash

• Clarins Lift Anti-Rides Jour (Extra-Firming Day Cream)

• Compliments Herbal Bath Foam

• Crabtree & Evelyn Nomad Invigorating Hair & Body Wash

• Delon Grapeseed Body Butter

• Dial Clean and Refresh Antibacterial Bodywash

• Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Body and Face Wash

• Être Dead Sea Hand and Body Lotion

• Exact Apricot Scrub

• Joico Daily Care Conditioning Shampoo

• L'Oreal Kids Smoothie Shampoo

• L'Oreal Paris Vive Pro Smooth Intense Shampoo

• Lancôme Photogenic Foundation

• Life Extra Strength Skin Lotion

• Lubriderm Advanced Moisture Therapy

• Marc Anthony Curl Defining Shampoo and Instantly Thick Hair Thickening Shampoo

• NeoStrata Intense Daytime Wrinkle Repair

• Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Ultra Foam Cleanser

• Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation

• The Body Shop Satsuma Shower Gel

• The Healing Garden Sensual Plum Body Spray

• The Healing Garden Uplifting Jasmine Cleansing Body Wash

• TiGi Bed Head Manipulator (hair styling product)

• Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail Conditioning Hand Lotion

I have to say The Body Shop Satsuma Shower Gel surprised me, mainly because well, The Body Shop seems to present itself as so wholesome and eco friendly.

I think that as a generation we are fairly informed. The problem (I believe anyway), is we don't seem to make enough noise. We need to stand up and start being vocal. Every time you shop you vote with your dollars. If you keep buying products that have these toxic ingredients, then where is the incentive for these manufacturers to change? We need to start writing letters and making noise and letting these companies know that we are NOT going to put up with this anymore.

And with that, I am off to raid my house and make sure that what I am using and what my family is using respects our body and our earth. And then, once I have finished moving next week, I am going to start writing letters and stop being quiet.

What are YOU going to do with this information? Feel free to post in the comments and share!

With love and light,