US 8, UK 361

We’ve fallen behind folks! Fallen behind on our cosmetic testing! That’s right; the FDA has banned 8 ingredients from being put into our cosmetics, while the UK is up to a whopping 361. Why the gap? Lets first see the list of ingredients that both countries frown upon:

Bithionol

Chlorofluorocarbon propellants

Halogenated salicylanilides

Vinyl chloride

Zirconium-containing complexes

Chloroform

Methylene chloride
Not being a chemist, I didn’t recognize most of them. Considering both countries gave them the boot, lets just agree that they’re the bad guys.  However, the FDA listed two “restricted ingredients” that were both all on the banned list of the UK. Those ingredients being Mercury and Hexachlorophene. 

Besides the 354 ingredient difference, it’s odd unto why the FDA would look into these two ingredients and not ban them entirely. Ive researched each of their functions, as well as their hazards. Click the links for more info as well.

Mercury: The only heavy metal that is in liquid form. It is predominately used in mascara as a preservative and prevent bacteria growth. Cosmetic companies are allotted up to 65 parts per million of mercury in their products in order to be deemed as “safe”. What the risk? There are several. For starters, there’s infertility. Mercury lowers zinc levels, which in turn lower progesterone levels. Progesterone is needed to bring a pregnancy to term. Low zinc levels will also lower testosterone levels–sorry guys. Mercury can cross the placental barrier, endangering the unborn child for birth defects and neuronal defects (AKA-learning disabilities). I wont even go into autism and the contraversies that surround it. Moreover, mercury rapidly depletes the immune system. In 2008, Minnesota became the first state to ban mercury in cosmetics, giving it a tougher standard than the FDA. For more information related to ban/phase out states: Click here.
Hexachlorophene (HCP): A disinfectant widely used in toothpastes and acne soaps and creams due to the efficiency of it’s odorless, powder form.  However, due to its powder form it is easily inhaled and massively irritating to the lining of the lungs, creating an asthma-like allergy. Already have asthma? Watch out! MCP can also cause nerve damage that may lead to blindness with consistant exposure.

Mineral Oil 101

Mineral oil is the jack of all trades. It’s clear, odorless, and won’t spoil. It may be used as an alternative to varnish, whipped on a tool to prevent rust, swabbed in pets ears to prevent mites, used to lube a stick zipper or hinge, and it’s being used especially by cosmetic companies in creams, ointments, and makeup removers. More good news, it’s inexpensive! Being curious as I am, I looked it up. Cosmetic companies buy in bulk, so I shopped accordingly. According to Steoil’s website (one of the top distributers), they charge about $91 for a 5 gallon tank. Although they do have larger tanks (up to 330 gallons) they did not disclose these prices. Pretty good though if you consider how little many lotions and what not that 5 gallon tank can make.

Now for the bad news. Mineral oil is a byproduct of the distillation of gasoline from crude oil. It is the leftover liquid of processing petroleum. It’s is therefore waste product, and thus very inexpensive. In fact, it is more expensive to dispose of mineral oil, than to purchase it. Its role on your skin is that a hairball in your drains. It clogs the pores, inhibits natural oil production, and locks in the waste and toxins our body gives off in sweat. Moreover, once the oil is absorbed, its then broken down by the liver, passes through the intestinal tract, and absorbes much of the fat-soluble vitamins found there. This includes, Beta-carotene, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. As a matter of fact, in the healthcare profession, we use mineral oil enemas on certain patients to help reduce their electrolyte imbalances. Nevertheless, this method is used sparingly and only in single doses as studies have shown mineral oil as the cause of Lipoid Pneumonia–a type of pneumonia that significantly decreasing lung function as it is not as responsive to antibiotics. The above facts played a large role in the ban of mineral oil in all European skin care products.

Do yourself a favor and check the list of your daily skin care or lotion. See how far up on the list mineral oil is…the higher on the list, the more there is!