Many people are becoming more conscious of the food they put in their bodies. But what we put ON our bodies is equally important. I know many women who eat incredibly clean and healthy yet continue to use beauty products that are loaded with ingredients that mimic estrogen and are linked to cancer. There are so many ingredients that have the potential to cause harm, but some of the worst offenders are the BHA and BHT commonly found in lipsticks and moisturizers. Using these chemicals in a lipstick that will go directly into your mouth or putting these toxins on your skin where they will be absorbed directly into your body, is a dangerous practice, especially over time. I cringe when I see people loading up on products from places like Bath and Body Works and other “body care” stores that cram all manner of toxins into toxic chemical bottles with pretty labels.
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are synthetic antioxidants used as preservatives in lipsticks and moisturizers, among other cosmetics. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies BHA as a possible human carcinogen. The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has also listed BHA as a Category 1 priority substance, based on evidence that it interferes with hormone function. Long-term exposure to BHT has been shown to cause liver, thyroid and kidney problems and to affect lung function and blood coagulation. It can also promote tumors, mimic estrogen, and prevent expression of male sex hormones, resulting in adverse reproductive affects.
Not only are these two ingredients toxic to the human body, but the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic listed BHA and BHT as a chemical that is toxic to organisms and can bioaccumulate in aquatic species.
Choose brands like RMS Beauty that are organic, healthy, and contain NONE of these toxic ingredients. That way you can help yourself, animals and the planet while looking beautiful!
See:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/endocrine/documents/final_report_2007.pdf.
Baur, A.K. et al., “The lung tumor promoter, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), causes chronic inflammation in promotion-sensitive BALB/cByJ mice but not in promotion-resistant CXB4 mice,” Toxicology 169, no. 1 (December 2001): 1-15.
Schrader, TJ and GM Cooke, “Examination of selected food additives and organochlorine food contaminants for androgenic activity in vitro,” Toxicological Sciences 53, no. 2 (February 2000): 278-88.
