WHAT IS IT? Primarily used as food and cosmetic preservatives, BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) are synthetic antioxidants found in most lipsticks and moisturizers.
HEALTH RISK: Along with finding their use in cosmetics, these two synthetic ingredients are also present in many pharmaceuticals, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, electrical transformer oil and embalming fluid. They have been linked to cancer, allergic reactions, liver, thyroid and kidney problems along with lung function impairment and problems in blood coagulation. Moreover, they mimic estrogen and can have an adverse impact on reproduction. The moral of this story? Don’t apply a product to your face or body that contains the same ingredients as those found in the likes of industrial fuel and oil.
HOW TO AVOID: Becoming an avid label reader is key to avoiding ingredients you don’t want on your skin, but check out sites like the EWG’s Skin Deep database as well to easily search for toxin-free beauty products.
The EWG Skin Deep database doesn’t seem to exist. The link take you to a household cleaner page. Bummer.
Hi Jan, Thank you for the heads up. EWG says their Skin Deep database will be back up and running shortly – hopefully sooner rather than later!
So I was eating Wheat Thins for the very first time. It’s addicting! So addicted that I couldn’t stop eating it until the box was empty. It’s suppose to be a snack, but i turn it into food. I have never abuse food like this before. So my point is, “Is there or is there not anything harmful about Wheat Thins that I should know of?” Am I just hungry, or is Wheat Thins bad for you?