Breast Cancer and the Chemicals in Your Skin Care
As in any disease, understanding the science and causes behind it, can help us learn how to prevent and reduce the risk of that condition. Although scientists are still unclear as to all the causes of breast cancer, we have come a long way towards understanding how it may develop.
Certain chemicals that have the most impact towards increasing the risk of breast cancer, are called "endocrine-disrupting"ingredients. These chemicals are found in many skin care, cosmetics and personal care products used daily, and can mimic natural hormones, and therefore increase the normal impact these hormones should have on our bodies.
Breast Cancer Risk Chemicals In Every Day Products
Most people don't realize that what you put on your body gets absorbed into your body. This can include cosmetics like nail polish, shampoo for your hair, to the sunscreen you slather on your body. Some of these chemicals are also used for industrial manufacturing, such as cleaning equipment gears of grease, while being present in your cleanser.
Unfortunately, in the U.S. there are no regulations as to what chemicals are added to personal care, cosmetics and skin care. The companies and well known brands are left o themselves to formulate with little testing standardized by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) or other governing bodies. Some of these chemicals you should be aware of include:
Sodium lauryl sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an industrial detergent that studies show can cause allergies, canker sores, and dry skin. It can be found in your shampoo, soaps, cleansers and toothpaste. It's best to use SLS free toothpaste, shampoo and other personal care products that are free of this ingredient. This chemical does not disrupt hormones, but allergies can lead to weakened immune system, and the body's ability to fight disease.
Triclosan
Triclosan is an antibacterial ingredient used in toothpaste, soaps and deodorants. This chemical has been classified as a pesticide and shown to affect the hormone system in your body, specifically the thyroid. Thyroid hormone is important for regulating metabolism and may affect normal breast development.
Phthalates
Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals. They can often be found in perfumes, fragrance and nail polish. Early puberty in girls has been linked to this chemical, which increases the risk of breast cancer in later life. It's best to use fragrance free products.
Parabens
Parabens are a common preservative found in many products. They are readily absorbed into the body via the skin. Biopsy samples from breast tumors showed evidence of parabens.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen containing any chemical except zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, may contain ingredients that mimic estrogen. This has been shown in human breast cancer in vitro cells. It's best to only use a safe sunscreen.
1,3-butadiene
1,3-butadiene is a carcinogen preservative often found in spray sunscreens, foundations and anti-fungal treatments. It has been reported to increase mammary tumors in rats.
1,4-dioxame
1,4-dioxame is a petroleum-derived chemical that does not have to be listed on ingredient labels. It's often added to shampoos, body wash, children's bath products and for foaming. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has listed it as a known carcinogen.
Key to Prevention and Lowering the Risk of Breast Cancer
As wise consumers, it's important not to depend on captivating marketing by beautiful models showing us how we dream of looking. All cosmetics, skin care and personal care are skin deep with ingredients absorbed into the body.
Cleure offers cosmetics, skin care and personal care products formulated with only the safest ingredients, as rated by EWG's Skin Deep and other reputable data bases. All Cleure sensitive skin care products are effective and safe.
