This time of year the malls are filled with holiday scented lotions, perfumes, foamy body washes, and glittery holiday makeup. Back in the day, I’d pick up some of these fun items as gifts for my friends – but not anymore. I’ve since learned about all the toxins in these products…
Beauty products from The Body Shop, Bath & Body Works, and Victoria’s Secret are made with a slew of artificial ingredients that are linked to cancer and other health issues. This also goes for drugstore brands like Bodycology and Dr. Teal’s.
Those popular scented lotions and body washes from The Body Shop and Bath & Body Works are dyed with artificial colors made from petroleum, like Yellow #5 and Red #40. These dyes may be contaminated with carcinogens (1) and are readily absorbed by shaven skin (2) where they can go right into your bloodstream (3).
The body washes and bath products from Bath & Body Works, The Body Shop, Dr. Teal’s and many others are foamy with the help of the chemicals Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and/or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). The ingredient SLES may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (4), which is linked to cancer (5), and SLS irritates the skin and scalp by stripping away the natural oils that protect it.
And SLS becomes even more harmful when combined with the ingredient Triethanolamine (TEA), where it creates the nitrosamine NDELA – a carcinogen (6).
You’ll also want to watch out for “PEG-100” or other “PEG” compounds on the label, these can be contaminated (7) with Ethylene Oxide (8) and 1,4 Dioxane (4), which are both linked to cancer.
One of the most sneaky ingredients you’ll find in these festive scented products is “fragrance” or “parfum”.
Cosmetic companies don’t tell you what is in these fragrances and they can include highly toxic ingredients (9), hormone disruptors, and carcinogens (10). They also often contain alcohols, which can irritate sensitive skin and make you appear older (Kinda crazy for a “beauty” product, right?)
I used to take my skin for granted, slathering products full of toxic chemicals on it day after day.
And for years I struggled with rashes and eczema – and came to find out that many of these big-name skincare products were making my problems worse! It’s better to keep your beauty regimen simple and use natural techniques to fight wrinkles, eczema, rosacea, acne, and other skin issues.
Your skin is your largest organ. It covers and protects everything on your body and what you put on it, is absorbed into your blood and can affect your overall health. Make sure that the products you are using (and giving to your loved ones as gifts) are safe and made with natural, organic ingredients.
I found a cosmetics brand that I trust and now use everyday: 100% PURE and they have incredible holiday gift sets made with safe natural ingredients…
As 100% PURE is a long-time partner of Food Babe, I’m thrilled to give you the opportunity to try their products (or continue using them) at a great deal:
Click here to take 20% OFF all full-priced 100% PURE products with the exclusive discount code FOODBABEPURE
This code must be entered on the checkout page and expires on Wednesday, December 11th. It is valid on all full-price items that are not already discounted and limited to one use per customer. Questions about your order can be directed to [email protected] or 1-844-PURE100.
100% PURE products are made with safe ingredients and no synthetic chemicals. Here’s why I love this brand:
- Free of controversial ingredients found in most cosmetics – no parabens, talc, chemical sunscreens, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, artificial dyes, or PEG compounds.
- Scented with real fruits, pure essential oils, and pure absolutes – never any synthetic fragrances.
- Cruelty-free with no animal testing.
- Pigmented using fruits and vegetables, which are full of beneficial vitamins and antioxidants. How cool is that?
- They test each ingredient for pesticide residues.
For the holidays, check out these amazing 100% PURE gift sets that are deeply discounted for a limited time*:
- Scrumptious scented lotions and body washes (no synthetic fragrances here!)
- Facial skincare gift sets (their sheet masks are incredible!)
- Holiday lipsticks with shimmer
- Nail polish and lip glosses (perfect stocking stuffers!)
* Note the discount code FOODBABEPURE does not apply to the gift sets because they are already discounted up to 30% off.
For my “going out on the town” makeup – these are my personal favorites:
- Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara – Black Tea
- Fruit Pigmented Satin Eye Shadow – Caribbean
- Fruit Pigmented Cherry Lip & Cheek Stain
- Fruit Pigmented Pretty Naked Palette
I also absolutely love 100% PURE Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner. It smells amazing and makes my hair so soft and manageable.
Everyone should know about the potential carcinogens and harmful ingredients lurking in beauty gifts made by popular brands found in malls and drug stores…
If you know anyone who would love safe beauty products by 100% PURE… please send them this post or pick them up a gift at a big discount here. All orders placed by December 8th will be shipped in time for the holidays.
Happy holidays to you and yours!
Xo,
Vani
P.S. This exclusive discount code FOODBABEPURE ends this Wednesday (12/11) at midnight and is valid for 20% off all full priced items. So make sure to get your order in quick to get your discount and gifts!
References:
- https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2010/07/colorful-carcinogens-why-we-should-ban-food-dyes/59944/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23127598
- http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/01/16/new-fear-about-food-dyes.html
- http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/14-dioxane/
- https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/dioxane.pdf
- http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/07/13/sodium-lauryl-sulfate.aspx
- https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/726331/1%2C4-DIOXANE/#.WYDukNMrKRs
- https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/726229/ETHYLENE_OXIDE/#.WYDvTtMrKRs
- http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/fragrance/
- http://www.safecosmetics.org/fragrance-disclosure/learn-more/health-effects-chemical-concern/
I’m 16 years old and I have to say Food Babe has helped me a whole whole lot. More than my own family I have to say sometimes. Growing up I had always had severe body pains, vomiting, bathroom issues, hives, bloating, weight loss, tiredness/weakness, and there was no cause known at the time (as my parents didn’t have it checked out) and as far as shampoos, conditioners, hand washes, etc my skin would become incredibly red. My hands, arms, and legs cracked open and even my stomach had severe rashes and redness. The doctor suggested that it could be caused by personal care products- my family dismissed this completely and continued to force me to use them- and doctor visits were hardly ever after the incident. As I got older (around age 8) I started wearing gloves 100% of the time when going out to the shops, outside, and to school because I was so embarrassed by it. There is a family member in my family who has Celiac disease and many sensitivities to food but my parents didn’t want to think I could have similar issues with food. I was always treated like it was over dramatic, overly sensitive, and they thought many things were hogwash (such as organics, gluten free, lactose intolerant, artificial colors, GMO’s, MSG, etc) and I was never offered alternatives.
I was accepted for a job at an Non-GMO/organic grocery store shortly after turning 16 and since then have been able to purchase products for my skin/personal care use that does not cause these issues for me. After a period of time I eventually got tested for possible conditions causing my digestive issue and was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Colitis- and this didn’t happen until I was legally accepted to start living with my aunt. Most foods my body will not accept such as eggs, meat, wheat, corn, soy, coconut, among many others. So I have a very restricted diet but feel so much better. My body is no longer underweight- I am now at an average weight, no more vomiting, no more hives, and bloating and bathroom issues have been much more decreased.
This is really an incredible story. Thank you for sharing, Aditi. It sounds like you really understood that something was very wrong and then took the initiative and time to figure it out. Take care!
My students always give me soap and lotion from Bath and Body Works for Christmas gifts. I throw it right in the trash. I’d never put that toxic concoction of chemicals on my skin. The scent alone gives me an immediate headache.