Part of our business mission is to educate you, the consumer, to ingredients found in many of the products you may be using everyday. Sometimes additives are helpful and have a positive purpose in a formulation.  However, they can also have a bad side.  If you are not doing so already on your skin care products, please start by looking for Formaldehyde Donor. Formaldehyde is a well-known carcinogen.  They are known as an “in situ” reaction,  meaning the original chemical turns into something completely different once it’s in the formula. The word “Formaldehyde” won’t be listed in the ingredient list, but the ingredient that creates it will be.  Watch our for these:

1. DIAZOLIDINYL UREA
2. IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA
3. HYDANTOINDMDM 
4. SODIUM HYROXYMETHYLGLCINATE

Ever dissect a frog or mice in high school ? Their bodies were preserved with formaldehyde. As an additive it has anti-microbial properties and is used as a preservation of cosmetic products such as shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, mouthwashes, deodorants, hair colorings and facial products.  Using a Formaldehyde donor is very common.  It is also used as a “browning” agent in food.  It helps make pretzels an even brown color.  Reactions to additives that are donors have included contact dermatitis, eczema, redness and itching.  They are among 1300 additives banned in Canada & Europe, but only about 10 ingredients are banned in the United States.

WHY?  What most people do not realize is that cosmetics are not formally regulated in the United States. They have fallen under the pervue of the FDA for the past 80 years, but products are not required to have FDA approval. So we have to take an active role in identifying what is in our products.  So keep your eyes open, read labels and avoid these four ingredients to protect yourself!  We will keep you advised on other ingredients that are of concern periodically in this Blog.  We hope it helps you!