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2.14.20

Dry Skin DIY summer skin prep

Navigating the world of beauty products can be tough. Many of us are still learning to read labels — and undertstand what to put back on the shelf. Here’s a cheatsheat of seven top offenders to get you started!

Paraffinum Liquidum + 6 Other Toxic Beauty Ingredients To Avoid

TOXIC INGREDIENT FOCUS: Mineral Oil (aka Paraffinum Liquidum)
WHAT IS IT? An extremely cheap & common petroleum derivative (refined crude oil petrochemical) – 98% of skin care products sold in the USA contain mineral oil.
HEALTH RISK: Petrochemicals contain neurotoxins which damage the nervous system, mineral oil forms a film on the surface of your skin that can not be absorbed therefore blocking the pores & the skin’s natural respiration. It traps dirt and bacteria & blocks the absorption of vitamins/minerals/botanicals that may be in a product. John Hopkins University named mineral oil in cosmetics / moisturizers as the number two cause of aging (first being direct exposure to sun). May also cause allergic reactions, dryness, promote acne & other skin disorders.

TOXIC INGREDIENT FOCUS: Cocamide DEA, TEA & MEA
WHAT IS IT? It is a viscous liquid, made by reacting the mixture of fatty acids from coconut oils with diethanolamine – used as a foaming & emulsifying agent to help thicken shampoo, body wash & facial cleansers. No benefits to the skin!
HEALTH RISK: These three are hormone-disrupting chemicals & may form cancer-causing agents. Have also been linked to miscarriages and inhibiting fetal brain development. They are easily absorbed by the skin & research indicates a strong link to liver & kidney cancer. There is also evidence that carcinogens form when Cocamide DEA is applied to the skin and react with other ingredients.

TOXIC INGREDIENT FOCUS: PEG – Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 100 etc)
WHAT IS IT? The most common form of plastic (polymer) mixed with a glycol to make a cheap, thick, sticky liquid, used as emollients, emulsifiers & to deliver other ingredients deeper into the skin. Found in many skincare products & cosmetics but also used in spray-on oven cleaners and industrial degreasers.
HEALTH RISK: PEG is a carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that reduces the skin’s natural moisture, can actually increase the appearance of aging, leaves you vulnerable to bacteria & has dangerous complications for damaged skin. It can alter the surface tension of the skin & may upset the natural moisture balance. PEGs are not always pure & often come contaminated with a host of toxic impurities. You don’t want petrochemicals on your face so stay away from products that contain this cheap additive!

TOXIC INGREDIENT FOCUS: Artificial Fragrance
WHAT IS IT? Scents made from synthetic chemicals found in most deodorants,shampoos, sunscreens, skincare & bodycare products.
HEALTH RISK:The term “fragrance” appearing on a product label indicates the presence of any number of up to 4,000 different ingredients. Most of these are synthetic & are either carcinogenic and/or toxic. Exposure to fragrances has been shown to affect the central nervous system. Synthetic fragrances contain chemicals that can cause skin irritation, rash, dizziness, vomiting, coughing and hyperpigmentation. Essential oils are the healthy alternative so don’t use any products that take the cheap option at the expense of your health!

TOXIC INGREDIENT FOCUS: Artificial Colour
WHAT IS IT? Cheap, standardised colours used for skincare and food to make products look more attractive – A.K.A. FD&C  colours / “E” Numbers / “Red 17”, “Yellow 4” etc. 
HEALTH RISK: You see these at the end of every ingredient list, but many cause skin sensitivity & irritation, or even oxygen depletion in the blood. Most are made from coal tar & studies show that almost all of them are carcinogenic. For example, FD&C Red #4 is no longer available for use in foods because of a known threat to the adrenal glands & urinary bladder. It is considered a carcinogen but is still used in non-food products such as skincare.

TOXIC INGREDIENT FOCUS: Parabens.
WHAT IS IT? A common and very cheap cosmetic preservative, the second most common skincare ingredient. 
HEALTH RISK: Synthetic parabens are toxic in large or cumulative quantities, as the body stores parabens in many tissue types. They can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes and irritation. Parabens have been shown to mimic estrogen which disrupts normal hormone function. Exposure to external estrogen’s have been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer and increase cell abnormalities. There should be no excuse for your skincare products to still have Parabens!

TOXIC INGREDIENT FOCUS: Propylene Glycol
WHAT IS IT? Propylene glycol is an antifreeze solvent, commonly found in brake and hydraulic fluid, paint, floor wax, pet food and tobacco. It also shows up as a humectant (supposedly a moisturizer) in almost every mainstream deodorant, shaving gel, conditioner, shampoo, toothpaste, face creams, baby wipes and cosmetics.
HEALTH RISK: Propylene glycol has been shown to cause dermatitis, kidney and liver damage, and to inhibit skin cell growth. It can be absorbed by the skin and is stored throughout the body.

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Comments


  1. References?….

    Myra | 06.29.2013 | Reply
  2. what is the best lotion and cream to use then to prevent skin from damaged when exposed under the sun?those products without paraffinum?can u please recommend?thank u

    jaki | 04.18.2014 | Reply
  3. […] water”, hoping he’d get me a nice natural product. Unfortunately the inci (for example paraffinum liquidum) is not green or natural 🙁 Also it has this old lady rose smell, which isn’t too […]

    Empties #15 – Daughter of the Sun | 04.25.2016 | Reply
  4. I suffer from a skin condition that causes my skin to inflame severely, making me super susceptible to bacteria (acne). Mineral Oil is something I use everyday because it helps me from losing moisture I actually have less issues with pimples. (When your skin is properly hydrated it’s easier for it to keep bad things out.) A lot of the lotions I had in the past had perfume and other ingredients that I was a allergic to, whereas I don’t have a bad reaction to Mineral Oil. I think depending on your skin type / sun exposure levels it might be able to help you more than hurt you. Most of the products in the baby care aisle (mineral oil, petroleum jelly, soaps) can really help someone who has dermatitis and allergies.

    PaintedGirl | 06.18.2016 | Reply
  5. […] TOXIC TUESDAY INGREDIENT FOCUS: Mineral Oil (aka Paraffinum Liquidum) […]

    Kleenex Linked to Organ Toxicity, Irritation and Even Cancer: Blow Your Nose With These Instead - Healthy Holistic Living | 06.29.2016 | Reply
  6. […] Petrochemicals contain neurotoxins which damage the nervous system. Mineral oil forms a film on the surface of your skin that can not be absorbed, thereby blocking the pores and the skin’s natural respiration. It traps dirt and bacteria and blocks the absorption of vitamins/minerals/botanicals that may be in a product. John Hopkins University named mineral oil in cosmetics and moisturizers as the number two cause of aging (first being direct exposure to sun). It may also cause allergic reactions and dryness, as well as promote acne and other skin disorders. The Chalkboard Mag […]

    Why I Stopped Using Kleenex - CLEARinse Nasal Cleaning System | 07.26.2016 | Reply
  7. […] Petrochemicals contain neurotoxins which damage the nervous system. Mineral oil forms a film on the surface of your skin that can not be absorbed, thereby blocking the pores and the skin’s natural respiration. It traps dirt and bacteria and blocks the absorption of vitamins/minerals/botanicals that may be in a product. John Hopkins University named mineral oil in cosmetics and moisturizers as the number two cause of aging (first being direct exposure to sun). It may also cause allergic reactions and dryness, as well as promote acne and other skin disorders. The Chalkboard Mag […]

    Warning: What Kleenex Tissues Do to Your Body - Heathy Ideas 4 U | 08.31.2016 | Reply
  8. […] Petrochemicals include neurotoxins which harm the system. Vitamin oil types a movie on one’s skin’s surface that may not be consumed, therefore preventing the skin’s normal breathing and also the pores. It blocks the assimilation of supplements/nutrients/botanicals which may be in an item and contains dust and germs. John Hopkins University called vitamin oil in cosmetics and agents whilst the number 2 reason for aging (first being immediate contact with sunlight). It might also trigger dryness and allergy symptoms, in addition to market acne along with other skin problems. The Chalkboard Magazine […]

    Warning: What Kleenex Tissues Do to Your Body – Heather | 09.29.2016 | Reply
  9. […] Lena Bratschi, Tom Rann. Toxic Tuesday Ingredient Focus: Mineral Oil (aka PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM). http://thechalkboardmag.com/toxic-tuesday-ingredient-focus-mineral-oil-aka-paraffinum-liquidum. […]

    Plastikud kehahooldusvahendites (peaosas Polüetüleen) | Eesti Rahva Muuseumi ajaveeb | 10.17.2016 | Reply
  10. USE ALMOND OIL OR ARGAN OIL. JUST GO NATURAL. AVOID CONCOTIONS.

    Suzie35 | 04.05.2020 | Reply
  11. How is the mineral oil in baby oil different from Paraffinum liquidum? If we know this stuff is so bad how can we market it to babys or even adults?

    • Great question. You should read about the recent Johnson & Johnson baby powder legal case, Zoe.

      The Chalkboard | 07.07.2020 | Reply
  12. Paraffin Liquidum
    Clear, odorless oil derived from petroleum that is widely used in cosmetics. Despite mineral oil’s association with petroleum and the hype that it’s bad for or ages skin, keep in mind that petroleum is a natural ingredient derived from the earth. Once it’s purified to become mineral oil USP (cosmetics- and pharmaceutical-grade mineral oil), it has no resemblance to the original petroleum and isn’t a source of contaminants.

    Cosmetics-grade mineral oil and petrolatum are considered the safest, most non-sensitizing moisturizing ingredients ever found. Mineral oil and petrolatum are known to be efficacious in skin replenishing and are also among the most effective, established moisturizing ingredients available.

    The mineral oil in skincare products is certified as either USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or BP (British Pharmacopeia). It’s completely safe, soothing, non-sensitizing, and perfectly beneficial for skin.

    References for this information:

    Toxicology Letters, October 2017, pages 70-78

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012, issue 6, pages 511-518

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007, issue 5, pages 385-390

    European Journal of Ophthalmology, 2007, issue 2, pages 151-159

    Food and Chemical Toxicology, February 1996, issue 2, pages 213-215

    PollySici | 09.04.2020 | Reply
  13. Ok, so what is safe to use?

    Bev Jones | 03.24.2021 | Reply
  14. I come from a huge family…multiple siblings plus hundreds of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Almost all of us suffer from eczema and contact dermatitis. My boyfriend also has these skin issues. Mineral Oil gives all of us horrible allergic reactions with rashes, redness, swelling, and seeping skin…it usually takes two or more weeks for these reactions to clear up. I’ve had some favorite products that I used religiously over the years, then suddenly started having these severe reactions to them, only to discover that the company changed the formula and started using mineral oil in them. My family members, boyfriend and I, also get the same severe reactions from Lanolin, wool fabrics which contain Lanolin, Methylisothiazolinone, and Methylchloroisothiazolinone. So if you’re having severe reactions to something and don’t know what’s causing it, check your product labels for any of these ingredients, then discontinue using them and see if it clears up. Once we stopped using all products that contained them, we had no more skin reactions. Every now again something will slip past my eyes though, when I’m checking a product label, and sure enough any of us that use the product will react to it, even if we didn’t know it was in there. So it’s definitely not a psychosomatic reaction.

    Jenn | 06.25.2021 | Reply

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