Is There Danger Lurking in Your Anti-Aging Cream?
The anti aging industry is booming. Aging baby boomers seem to
be obsessed with preserving their youthful look. Anti aging
preparations claim to make you look younger as you get older.
But are the ingredients in these products safe?
Here are 10 ingredients to avoid in anti-aging preparations:
Propylene glycol is a strong irritant, a neurotoxin (toxic to
the nervous system) and may cause kidney and liver damage. It
may cause delayed allergic reactions, acne and contact
dermatitis. It absorbs quickly and is a penetration enhancer,
i.e. it increases the absorption of other ingredients in the
product through the skin into the bloodstream.
Diazolidinyl urea is a skin irritant and a potential cause of
dermatitis. It is a formaldehyde releaser. Formaldehyde is a
Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) as determined by the
International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Imidazolidinyl urea is a strong irritant. It causes contact
dermatitis. It's also a formaldehyde releaser. Phenoxyethanol is
a skin and eye irritant with a rose fragrance. It can cause
contact dermatitis and is harmful if absorbed through the skin.
DMDM hydantoin is another formaldehyde releaser. It may cause
contact dermatitis and has cause caused cancer in experimental
animals.
Triethanolamine (TEA) is an irritant, a sensitizer and causes
contact dermatitis. It may cause the formation of carcinogenic
nitrosamines in products containing nitrogen compounds. It may
also contain nitrosamine contaminants not listed on the label.
Parabens (ethyl-, methyl-, butyl- and propylparaben) are
endocrine disrupters. They disturb the hormonal balance in the
body. They are absorbed through the skin and may irritate the
skin. They have been found in breast cancer tumors, but it is
not known if they had a part in causing the tumors.
PEG-n (4-200) is an eye and skin irritant and is hazardous on
large areas of the body. It may be contaminated with dangerous
levels of the carcinogen, 1,4-dioxane.
HGH is human growth hormone. Some prducts may contain HGH or
ingredients that stimulate the body to produce it's own HGH.
Ironically, the hormones don't slow the aging process, they just
hide the symptoms. Animal studies have shown that those animals
which produce more growth hormone in old age have a shorter life
span, not longer. Studies have also shown that HGH causes carpal
tunnel and diabetes. And it has not been adequately tested.
Ultrasomes, keratinocyte growth factor and DNA enzyme complex
are known bioengineered ingredients that are used in some
anti-aging products. The biotech industry is not very open about
bio-engineered or genetically modified ingredients in cosmetics
and personal care products. They're not required to identify
ingredients that are bioengineered and they're not required to
be listed on the label. The safety of bioengineered ingredients
has not been adequately studied.
Look for products with safe ingredients like aloe vera,
essential oils, shea butter, grape seed oil, emu oil,
antioxidants like vitamins A,C and E, green tea and Co-Q10. But
also remember, it's more than just skin care. Slowing the aging
process involves eating a healthy diet with lots of healthy
anti-oxidant rich foods and enzymes, regular exercise, stress
reduction and adequate rest. It's vitally important to pay
attention to your whole body, not just your skin.