Common Toxicants Found In Two Part Chemical Hair Dye
There are numerous chemicals and toxins lurking in “organic hair color.” After studying the ingredients of the top “organic'“ color lines from around the world, I have learned that no matter how “natural” the marketing claims are, every chemical color line, without exception, contains 6-12 of these common chemicals.
2-Methylresorcinol: skin irritant (skin, eyes, or lungs), occupational hazard: organ system toxicity, endocrine disruption.
2,4 Diaminophenoxyethanol-HCL: skin toxicant or allergen, immune system toxicant, environmental toxicity
4-Chlororesorcinol: toxicant or allergen, restricted use
4-Amino-2-Hydroxytoluene: skin toxicant or allergen, immune system toxicant, environmental toxicity
Ammonia and ammonium hydroxide: a corrosive chemical that damages cells in the body (nose, throat and lungs) when inhaled. Ammonia reacts violently with strong oxidants, acids, halogens, and heavy metals
Ethanolamine: skin irritant, immune and respiratory toxicant or allergen (unsafe if left on skin), occupational hazard: organ system toxicity
Hydroxytoluene: skin irritant, immune and respiratory toxicant or allergen (unsafe if left on skin)
M-Aminophenol: skin toxicant and irritant, environmental toxicant
M-Phenylenediamine: skin toxicant or allergen, immune system toxicant
Methylisothiazolinone : widely used preservative, irritant (skin, eyes, or lungs), allergen, and neurotoxin
N-Phenyl-P-Phenyldiamine: skin toxicant or allergen, immune system toxicant, environmental toxicity
P-Aminophenol: skin toxicant or allergen, immune system toxicant, environmental toxicity
P-Phenylenediamine (PPD): irritant (skin, eyes, or lungs), immune and respiratory toxicant, occupational hazard: organ system toxicity
Toluene-2,5-Diamine (PTD): skin toxicant or allergen, occupational hazard: organ system toxicity
Peg-2 Soyamine: persistent and bio-accumulative with moderate toxicity, non-reproductive organ system toxicity, contamination issues
Propylparaben: Parabens mimic estrogen in the body, are absorbed through the skin and known to be hormone system disruptors
Resorcinol: skin irritant (skin, eyes, or lungs) toxic to immune system, occupational hazard: organ system toxicity, endocrine disruption. While the federal government regulates exposures to resorcinol in the workplace, there are no regulations limiting the amount of resorcinol in personal care products.
Common Toxicants Found In Every Day Hair Care Products
Artificial Fragrance
Most shampoos, conditioners, and styling products contain a combination of fragrant ingredients to mask odors with more pleasant scents. This single ingredient may contain hundreds of chemicals and synthetics including skin sensitizers, allergens, respiratory irritants, carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxic chemicals, and environmental toxicants. Without knowing what is in a fragrance, it is impossible for consumers to make educated choices and avoid problematic ingredients. To be safe, it's best choose products that do not contain “parfum ” or “fragrance”.
Ethanolamine Compounds
Ethanolamine Compounds are synthetic surfactants used in soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, creams, eyeliners, mascara, fragrances and sunscreens. Diethanolamine (DEA) is used as an emulsifier in shampoos, cleaners, and detergents. Triethanolamine (TEA) is used as a fragrance, pH adjuster and emulsifying agent. When ethanolamines are combined with nitrogen releasing preservatives, they can form nitrosamines. DEA and nitrosamines are known carcinogens listed in the Prop 65 database. Ingredients to avoid include the abbreviations DEA, MEA, TEA (i.e. cocamide DEA, cocamide MEA, DEA-cetyl phosphate, DEA oleth-3 phosphate, lauramide DEA, linoleamide MEA, myristamide DEA, oleamide DEA, stearamide MEA, TEA-lauryl sulfate).
Formaldehyde releasing preservatives
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing preservatives are often used in water-based skin and hair products, especially those that coat the hair (keratin straighteners and heat protectors). Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer and allergic reactions of the skin, eyes and lungs. Formaldehyde releasing preservatives include: Quaternium-15 , DMDM hydantoin, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol), Diazolidinyl urea, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Imidazolidinyl urea, Methyl-chloroisothiazolinone and Methyl-isothiazolinone, Polyoxymethylene urea, cyclomethicone and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, and glyoxal.
Parabens and lesser known chemical preservatives
Paraben preservatives are used in personal care products that contain water such as shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and cleansers because they discourage the growth of microbes. Parabens are easily absorbed by the skin, mimic estrogen in the body, have been linked to breast and skin cancers, endocrine disruption, reproductive and developmental toxicity. Look for: ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben. Manufacturers have started to replace paraben preservatives with Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchoroisothiazolinone, and Phenoxyethanol, these lesser known chemical preservatives all have use restrictions in cosmetics to limit allergic reactions and skin sensitization.
PEG compounds
Synthetic detergents used as binders, solvents, emollients, plasticizers, bases, carriers, emulsifiers and dispersants. They make it easier for chemicals to penetrate the skin, may cause allergic reactions and may contain the carcinogenic contaminant, Dioxane.
Pesticides
Pesticides such as DDT, dieldrin, and lindane are frequently found in cosmetic-grade plant-based ingredients; this is why I choose products made with organically grown ingredients.
Phalates
Pronounced THAL-ates, these synthetic plant glycols are used to add flexibility and dissolve other ingredients. They are easily absorbed through the skin or inhaled and have been linked to endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and cancer. They have been banned from cosmetics in the EU, but still remain prevalent in U.S. products and imports. Read more at Prop. 65 CA.gov and Safe Cosmetics.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
A wide variety of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) including Quaternium-15, Behentrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetrimonium Chloride, are used in cosmetics to provide softness, emulsion, and preservation of products. While initially providing a soft feel, over time, they have a drying effect on hair and skin. Quats are used in higher concentrations in disinfectants, and may cause skin sensitivity and eye irritation.
Sulfates (not toxic
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are common surfactants used in the manufacture of soaps, shampoos, detergents, household cleaners and creams. In low doses sulfates are considered safe, but they can become sensitizers that to the skin and eyes with over exposure. Sulfates pose moderate toxicity risk to marine life and the environment. A “sulfate free” label suggests that SLS has been replaced with SLES or another surfactant.