WHAT’S IN YOUR PRODUCTS?

The Environmental Working Group states that the average person uses between 12-17 personal care products daily, containing over 160 different chemicals. Do you know what those chemicals are and what they do to our bodies? Many of those personal care and home products contain CARCINOGENS, ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS, ALLERGENS AND NEUROTOXINS. At BB it is our goal to give you the information you need to ditch those toxic products, and switch to a cleaner, safer option. We believe that when you know better, you can do better.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

FRAGRANCE (PARFUM) contains PHTHALATES, which are legally hidden in the ingredients list. Phthalates are link to autism, breast cancer, birth defects and ADHD. PARABENS are preservatives derived from petroleum and are known to be allergens, and endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen. Studies have linked these to skin rashes, breast cancer. TRICLOSAN is the active ingredient in antibacterial products, and is registered as a pesticide. Triclosan strips the skin of good bacteria and exposes the body to a greater risk of bad bacteria. Triclosan disrupts the body’s hormone, thyroid and metabolic function. Triclosan has been shown to weaken muscles, most notably the heart and contribute to liver toxicity. Exposure in children increases the chance of developing asthma, eczema and allergies.

SLS, (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and SLES, Sodium Laureth Sulfate are used to create suds. Suds are an optical illusion.

SUDS DON’T MEAN CLEAN!

We don’t need suds in our products to be clean, they just make us think clean. SLS and SLES are synthetic foaming agents that eat away the protective layer of the skin which can lead to rashes and infection. SLS has been shown to penetrate into brain, liver, eyes, heart and other healthy tissue and lead to hair loss. SLS and SLES pose a risk of irritation to eyes, skin, mouth and lungs and can build up in the body over time.

DEAs are used to adjust the PH of products and are known to be allergenic, immunotoxin, organ toxin and carcinogenic. Look out for diethanolomine DEA, cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA DMDM HYDANTOIN, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA AND QUATERNIUM-15 are FORMALDEHYDE releasers which can cause joint pain, headaches, allergic reactions in the skin, eyes, nose and throat and can lead to asthma. These ingredients may also be linked to disruptions in the immune system, menstrual disorders in women, and may increase the risk of cancer. SYNTHETIC COLORANTS/DYES (FD&Cs) were originally manufactured from coal tar. Today, most are derived from petroleum or crude oil. Coal tar is a known carcinogen. Heavy metals/aluminum compounds found in many dyes are toxic to the brain. FDA tests show that RED 40, YELLOW 5 and 6 are tainted with cancer causing compounds, including benzidine and 4-aminobi- phenyl. RED 40 and other artificial food colorings can lead to allergic reations, reproductive health disruption, hyperactivity in children and immune system tumors in mice. RED 40 comes from petroleum distillates (coal tars) and contains p-Cresidine, which the U.S. Depart- ment of Health and Human Services says is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. You can find these FD&Cs in cereals, drinks/juices, foods, candy and cosmetics.

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS (PEGs) are petroleum by products that contain the carcinogenic contamination 1,4 DIOXANE. Research shows 1,4 DIOXANE readily penetrates skin and is consid- ered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protec- tion Agency, listed as an animal carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program , included on California’s Prop 65 list of chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer and birth defects and known to affect kidneys and liver.

1,4 DIOXANE:

You will not find 1,4 DIOXANE on ingredient labels as it is a trace contaminant of some chemicals found in cosmetics, detergents and shampoos.

The FDA does not require it to be listed as an ingredient on product labels since 1,4 DIOXANE is a contaminant created when common ingredients found in bath and body products react to form the compound when mixed together. EXAMPLE: 1,4 DIOXANE is generat- ed through ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide (KNOWN BREAST CARCINOGEN) is added to the formulation to make SLS less harsh, converting SODIUM LAUREL SULFATE INTO SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE. 1,4 DIOXANE can be found in products that produce suds such as shampoo, liquid soap, bubble bath, hair relaxers, and more. Without labeling, it is no way to know for certain whether a product contains 1,4 DIOXANE, making it difficult for consumers to avoid it.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE LABEL:

Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG Compounds, chemicals containing the clauses XYNOL, CETEARETH AND OLETH.

ISOTHIAZOLINONES (Methylisothiazolinone - M1) are power- ful biocide preservatives used to kill microorganisms and extend shelf life. Studies have shown these chemicals could be inked to nerve damage. Additional studies found these chemicals to damage brain cells in animal studies in as little as 10 minutes. Methylisothiazolinone is a widely used household/industrial biocide. When used in leave on products, methylisothiazolinone is known to be sensitizing and anallergen.

ISOBUTANE is used in hair spray, hair gel, mousse, and shaving cream. Isobutane may contain 1,3 butadiene, another carcinogenic contaminant. Look for Styrene Acrylates Copolymer, Styrene, and Acrylates, found in nail polish, sunscreens SPF 30+, sunscreen moisturizer, body wash/cleanser, shampoo and eyeliner, etc.

ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS: Endocrine disruptors are by far some of the worst offenders on this list. The endocrine system regulates all biological processes in the body, including the nervous system, reproductive system, ovaries, testes, brain development, metabolism, blood sugar levels, pituitary, thyroid and adrenals.

**THIS GUIDE IS A GOOD STARTING POINT TO GET YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY TOWARDS A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE, BUT IS BY NO MEANS A FULL, COMPREHENSIVE LIST.