The Hidden Dangers of Common Skincare Ingredients

Introduction: 

My brother recently shared with me a podcast interview with big-wave surfer/legend Laird Hamilton, where the concept of cumulative toxicity in our daily hygiene products was highlighted. This interview inspired this post to shed a bit more light into the type of chemicals that you may be unknowingly exposing yourself to as part of your daily routine.

You may have heard the phrase 'the dose makes the poison". This is true but there is some nuance to consider.  In the biotech world, we evaluate potential therapeutics for their "single dose" and "repeat dose" toxicity. It easy to determine single dose toxicity as those are short term evaluations and the toxicities are overt. Long term toxicities (especially over the course of decades) and when they can be subtle are much harder to discern.  As Laird talks about in the above mentioned podcast, these effects can be cumulative over the course of many years/decades and not something one would notice overnight. So here the "dose makes the poison" that we are referring to is the cumulative dose. Clearly, none of the chemicals listed below would be expected to impart an acute (single dose) toxicity at the levels used in hygiene products or they wouldn't be in every big box store. However, we need to be more cautious when we consider the potential ramifications of repeated exposure over multiple years/decades.

Remember, our skin is our largest organ yet we often are much less considerate of what we put on our skin then what we ingest.    

At Dr. Dave's Primal Essence, we prioritize understanding these risks and educating our customers. This blog post delves into common skincare ingredients – aluminum, sulfates, parabens, petroleum by-products, artificial colorings, fragrances and others... along with their potential health impacts, contrasting these with our commitment to natural, safe ingredients.

Disclaimer:  This post is not intended to be a scientific dissertation with pages of literature references but rather a quick read to breakdown some of the potential issues with these chemicals and give people reference on what to look out for.     

Aluminum:

Usage:

Aluminum compounds, such as aluminum chloride and aluminum zirconium, are commonly used in antiperspirants. These compounds work by temporarily plugging sweat ducts, thereby reducing perspiration. While antiperspirants are effective in controlling sweat, concerns have arisen regarding the potential health implications of aluminum exposure.

Health Concerns:

There has been growing concern about the potential health effects of aluminum in deodorants. Studies have suggested a possible link between aluminum compounds and certain health issues, including breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease. While definitive evidence is still being debated in the scientific community, the potential risk of absorbing aluminum through the skin, especially near the breast, has led many to seek alternatives.

Dr. Dave's Primal Essence Approach:

Understanding these concerns, we have consciously chosen to formulate our deodorants without aluminum. Our natural deodorants use ingredients like baking soda (Extra Strength)/magnesium hydroxide (sensitive skin), kaolin clay, arrowroot powder, beef tallow, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and natural essential oils to control odor and moisture effectively, ensuring safety and peace of mind for our customers.

What to look for on labels:

1. Aluminum Chloride
2. Aluminum Zirconium
3. Aluminum Chlorohydrate
4. Aluminum Hydroxybromide

Sulfates: 

Usage: 

Sulfates are known for their lathering properties in cleansers and shampoos. They are inexpensive and effective at removing dirt and oil, but they can also strip away natural oils from the skin and hair.

Specific Concerns and Health Implications:

Sulfates have been linked to potential skin irritation, dryness, and hair breakage. Additionally, there is some concern that these sulfates may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogenic byproduct.

What to look for on labels:

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
2. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
3. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
4. Sodium Myreth Sulfate

Parabens: 

Usage:

Parabens are common preservatives used in a wide range of cosmetic products, including creams, makeup, and lotions. Parabens are effective at preventing the growth of bacteria and mold, but they have also been linked to potential health concerns.

Specific Concerns and Health Implications:

Parabens have been associated with skin aging, DNA damage under UV exposure, endocrine disruption, and potential links to breast cancer and fertility issues.

What to look for on labels:

1. Methylparaben
2. Propylparaben
3. Butylparaben
4. Ethylparaben
5. Isobutylparaben

Petroleum By-Products: 

Usage:

Used as moisturizing agents commonly found in lotions and creams. These petroleum by-products are inexpensive and effective at locking in moisture, but they have also been linked to potential health concerns.

Specific Concerns and Health Implications:

They may contain carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Additionally, these by-products can trap toxins in the skin, leading to acne and irritation.

What to look for on labels:

1. Mineral Oil
2. Paraffinum Liquidum
3. Petrolatum
4. Paraffin Wax
5. Microcrystalline Wax

Artificial Colorings and Fragrances: 

Specific Dyes and Concerns:

Some artificial dyes have been linked to irritation, allergies, and potential long-term health risks.

What to look for on labels:

1. FD&C or D&C followed by a color and a number (e.g., FD&C Red No. 40, D&C Green No. 5)
2. Pigment or CI followed by a five-digit number (e.g., CI 19140 for Yellow 5)

Synthetic Fragrances:

Synthetic fragrances are often made up of a complex blend of chemicals, some of which may be undisclosed. These fragrances can trigger allergies, hormone disruption, and other health issues.

What to look for on labels:

1. Fragrance
2. Parfum
3. Aroma

Phthalates:

Often used as plasticizers in cosmetics like nail polishes and hair sprays, phthalates are linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, and increased risk of breast cancer.

1. DBP (dibutyl phthalate)
2. DEP (diethyl phthalate)
3. DMP (dimethyl phthalate)

Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives:

These preservatives slowly release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, over time.

1. DMDM hydantoin
2. Imidazolidinyl urea
3. Diazolidinyl urea
4. Quaternium-15
5. Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol)
6. 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane

Synthetic Sunscreens:

These chemical sunscreens can cause skin allergies and have raised concerns regarding hormonal disruption and coral reef damage.

1. Oxybenzone
2. Avobenzone
3. Octinoxate
4. Octocrylene
5. Homosalate

Our Commitment:

At Dr. Dave's Primal Essence, we stand firmly against using these potentially harmful substances. Our philosophy is rooted in harnessing the power of nature for skincare:

• Natural Ingredients: We meticulously select natural ingredients known for their safety and efficacy. Our products are free from aluminum, sulfates, parabens, petroleum by-products, artificial colorings, and synthetic fragrances.
• Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils: Instead of synthetic fragrances, we use therapeutic grade essential oils to naturally scent our products. These oils are not only safe for the skin but also offer additional therapeutic benefits, such as relaxation, rejuvenation, and improved skin health.

Conclusion:

Safe Skincare for a Healthier Tomorrow

Understanding the risks associated with common skincare ingredients is crucial for making informed choices.

1) Start by taking a closer look at the products you use routinely, see if any the chemicals listed fall into these categories.  Admittedly, unless you have a chemistry degree, its not always that obvious.  I've provided a cheatsheet above and google can help.  

2) Look to replace these products with all natural products with ingredients that you have heard of and understand.  

3) Take this approach with other aspects of your life (food, water, laundry products, etc). 

4) After implementing 1-3, you will become invincible.  Ok, this is a stretch but in all seriousness you'll undoubtedly feel better.

Importantly, you don't have to sacrifice effectiveness when you choose healthier, all natural alternatives (in fact we'd argue that our products are more effective). At Dr. Dave's Primal Essence, we're dedicated to providing safe, natural skincare options, aligning with our commitment to health and transparency. We invite you to experience the difference that natural, therapeutic-grade ingredients can make in your skincare routine.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading! 

-Dave