Trade Secrets FAQs

Be in the know! Here are answers to your most frequently asked questions.

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   What is 1,4-Dioxane? How can I avoid it?

   1,4-Dioxane is a petroleum-derived carcinogenic compound that is used intentionally in dry cleaning solvents, lacquers and automotive coolant. It turns up in many personal care products because it is the byproduct of some chemical ingredient manufacturing processes, including the process used to turn sodium lauryl sulfate into sodium laureth sulfate.

   1,4-Dioxane is a known animal carcinogen and probable human carcinogen. It’s a skin and lung irritant and strongly suspected to be toxic to the kidneys and nervous system. It also appears on California’s Proposition 65 list of substances known to cause cancer or birth defects.

   Although 1,4-Dioxane can be removed from personal care products quite economically, many product manufacturers choose not too. And because it turns up in a lot of sudsing products, you could be exposed to it several or more times every day.

   Because 1,4 Dioxane is an impurity, not an intentional ingredient, it won’t appear on your product ingredient label. This means you simply must avoid any products containing petrochemical ingredients that cause 1,4-Dioxane contamination. These include any ingredient names or partial names like: PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, ‘-eth-’ (such as sodium laureth sulfate), oxynol, ceteareth or ‘-oleth’.

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   I’ve been reading a lot about parabens and companies going “paraben-free.” What does that mean?

   Parabens are a group of compounds often used as anti-microbial preservatives in cosmetics products, food, some pharmaceuticals. Parabens are absorbed through the skin, gastrointestinal tract and blood. U.K. researchers recently discovered six different parabens in 20 human breast tumors, highlighting the need for more research on possible links between products containing parabens and increased breast cancer risk. Many companies have begun phasing out parabens from their lines by marking their products as “paraben-free.” You’ll find Parabens listed on product ingredient labels as methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben or butylparaben.

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   What are phthalates? Where are they found?

   Otherwise hidden on ingredient labels as ‘fragrance’, Phthalates (pronounced thal-lates) are in fact plasticizing chemicals that likely human reproductive or developmental toxins and endocrine disruptors. They cause birth defects in laboratory animals, particularly males.

   Two phthalates often used in cosmetics (dibutyl and diethylhexyl) have already been banned in the European Union. But they’re still found in some nail polishes and hair sprays. We recommend that you stay away from suspect products with fragrance, especially if you’re pregnant. Babies and pubescent young adults are also particularly vulnerable to phthalates’ ill effects.

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   What are Xenoestrogens?

   Xenoestrogens are man-made compounds which mimic the effect of natural estrogens. Because our bodies cannot distinguish these false hormones and the real ones, they’re able to bind with the estrogen receptor sites on our cells, changing cellular functions and causing hormonal balance shifts in favor of estrogen.

   This excess estrogen has been linked to PMS, problems with menopause, infertility, many female and male reproductive problems, and various forms of cancer.

   Multiple studies show that parabens (a particular group of xenoestrogens) exert a weak estrogenic activity and are linked to breast cancer in women and problems with sperm production in men.

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   Mineral Oil sounds nourishing, why isn’t it?

   Don’t be fooled, mineral oil is actually a petrochemical. Mineral oil is used as a lubricant and emollient because it’s cheap and very plentiful. Unfortunately it’s also been reported as carcinogen, can also be contaminated with xenoestrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydro-carbons (PAH), according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Studies show that PAH cause tumors in laboratory animals through inhalation, consumption, and even following prolonged contact with skin. Some PAH are known to activate estrogen receptors, and a 2004 study found that PAH stimulated proliferation of certain breast cancer cells. Not so nourishing then. Stay away from this one!

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   Doesn’t the government certify that personal care products are safe and healthy before they can be sold to consumers?

   No. Major loopholes in federal law allow the $50 billion cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products with no required testing, no required monitoring of health effects, and inadequate labeling requirements.

   Neither cosmetic products nor cosmetic ingredients are reviewed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are sold to the public. FDA cannot require companies to do safety testing of their cosmetic products before marketing.