Here is a list of commonly used chemicals that may produce a range of undesirable or harmful effects and which are totally absent from all ELIXEA Products. These are chemicals that are used commonly even in spa-grade skin-care and body-care products, and often in products that advertise “natural” or “organic”.
1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS and SLES) - detergent derived from coconut oil (can be called “natural” or even “organic”) found in cleansers, shampoo, bubble bath, liquid soap, facial toner, toothpaste, dish soap, some nutritional supplements)
Journal of American College of Toxicology (Volume 2, No. 7, 1983):
s corrodes hair follicles and impairs ability to grow hair, may cause hair to fall out
s forms nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which cause the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate contaminated food
s builds up in the heart, liver lungs and brain from skin contact; may cause damage to these organs
s denatures protein - impairs proper structural formation of young eyes;
s can damage immune system
2. Mineral Oil - makes skin soft and smooth
s found in baby oil, skin creams, massage oils and lotions, liquid foundations; derivative of petroleum
s suffocates and dries out the skin
s inhibits oils you produce naturally and so increases dehydration
s skin’s natural immune barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe
s clogs pores; locks in toxins and wastes, which can promote acne and other disorders. This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age.
3. Propylene Glycol - a surfactant or wetting agent and solvent. This ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of lotions, face toners, creams, and hair products. This chemical derivative is often used in products with “healing” properties. It actually has the opposite effect by interfering with the body’s own mechanisms of healing itself, therefore slowing the healing process entirely.
Material Safety Data Sheet:
s implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities
s can inhibit skin cell growth in human tests
s can damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage
American Academy of Dermatologists (January, 1991):
s causes a significant number of reactions
s irritant to the skin even in low levels of concentrations (as low as 2% concentration)
American Journal of Industrial Medicine 3:169-171, 1982 (“Multiple Myeloma in Cosmetologists” Guidottie, Wright & Peters)
s mutagenic (chemicals that produce mutation in Bacteria are linked to multiple Myeloma)
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Jan 1987
s toxic to human cells in cultures
Human Reproduction, Feb 1990
s alters cell membranes
Journal of Pharmacology of Belgium, Nov/Dec 1989
s inhibits cell growth in humans
s inhibits cell respiration in animals
Some people say: Different strength is used industrially and in toiletries
NOT TRUE: only difference is that it is cleared of bacteria when used in products designed for human use (USP grade); same chemical structure.
Some people say: Not absorbed
NOT TRUE: has a very small molecular weight, which enables it to pass easily through the skin and be absorbed into the blood stream where it travels to all our organs.
4. Imidazolidinyl Urea or Diazolidinyl Urea - a powerful preservative found in many skin-care and body-care products.
s well known for years as a primary cause of contact dermatitis
s may break down to form formaldehyde - a highly toxic substance and carcinogen
5. Parabens (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, or Ethyl) - a highly toxic chemical used as a preservative in almost all beauty products found on the shelf
s causes all sorts of skin rashes, allergic reactions, dermatitis
s may be carcinogenic and interfere with normal hormonal function
s may create hormonal imbalance raising concerns of women's risk of breast cancer - Journal of Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1999
6. Synthetic Colors and Fragrance - does the pretty pink colour of your cleanser mean anything to you when it washes down the drain? Do you care that the green coloring placed in the moisturizer to make it look “fresh and clean” also absorbs into your skin and into your bloodstream?
s colors have long been believed to be cancer-causing.
s usually indicated by letters followed by a colour and numbers (ie. FD&C Red No. 5)
s fragrances sometimes contain hundreds of ingredients and therefore you cannot pinpoint what your reaction was triggered by. Manufacturers add “Fragrance” and in turn you get sneezing, congestion, rash, hyperpigmentation, vomiting, coughing. AVOID IT.
