Controversial Ingredients
There are a few controversial ingredients out there and these are my own personal opinions (linked with the studies I've read) on them. I encourage you to do your OWN research on these ingredients rather than blindly following me (or anyone else's) opinion. BUT, these are ingredients I'm either comfortable or not comfortable with for deeper reasons.
Here are a few controversial ingredients right now:
Citric Acid
The thing about citric acid is that it is not a black and white ingredient when looking at a label. Sure, it's a little more black and white if you're looking at a product of a company that's conventionally mass selling a product but there ARE some companies who do go out of their way to use quality citric acid.
The negative facts about citric acid in a nutshell: it's derived by mold. It's sold in many products commercially. This is the citric acid you DO want to avoid! You can always reach out to a company and ask them what their citric acid is derived from but I would assume many big, conventional companies are using this method.
The positive facts about citric acid in a nutshell: Some companies are going out of their way to use quality citric acid from things like non-GMO cassava, lemons, limes, oranges, etc. Again, reach out to companies to confirm (it's not always on the label) You can also check out FAQ's.
Want a little bit of a deeper dive on this? Check out my post HERE.
Dimethicone
Dimethicone is a quick no for some people because it is a man made silicone based agent (sure, I get why this bothers people) BUT I have learned on my journey that I am okay with certain synthetic ingredients when there are studies and safety to back them up.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel compiled all of the available data for the different types of dimethicone from over 100 independent studies in a comprehensive, evidence-based report. The results: single polymer dimethicone is safe to sit on top of the skin because of it's molecular weight (AKA its too heavy to absorb) & it's not safe to inhale.
Dimethicone, for me, is safe when it is single polymer dimethicone in makeup ONLY ✅ Why? Because it sits on the face, it likely doesn't penetrate due to it's larger molecular weight. (foundation, primer, concealer, etc)
SAFE (single polymer): Dimethicone, stearyl dimethicone, and triethoxycaprylysilane
I do NOT recommend it in skincare products ❌
I do NOT recommend it as a cross polymer ❌
i do NOT recommend it in products where you could inhale it (loose powder) ❌
AVOID (crosspolymer): crosspolymer dimethicone, cetyl thiethylmonium dimethicone PEG-8 phthalate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Stearmidopropyl Dimethicone, Vinyldimethicone, Perfluorononyl Dimethicone, Bis-Peg-10 Dimethicone/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer)
Want a shareable link for dimethicone? Check out my post HERE.
Fragrance
Generally speaking, fragrance isn't something you want to see on a label. It can also look like: parfum/fragrance, fragrance, or just parfum.
The reason it's a big issue is because it's an umbrella word for what COULD BE up to 4,000+ ingredients, in the name of "trade secrets". Basically, it can have toxic ingredients, endocrine disrupters, carcinogens, or allergens within the label.
The reason I added it to my controversial list is because I have seen:
1) "Fragrance" on a label + the details of the fragrance listed underneath the ingredients list (transparency ✅)
2) I have emailed companies and they have given me their exact fragrance ingredients (transparency ✅)
This is not super common unfortunately but it's worth noting because there are some companies that ARE transparent and sometimes you just have to ask. Some companies don't want it on their label for various reasons I'm sure. One being that they don't want other companies stealing their formula.
BUT, as a consumer, you ALWAYS want to know what's under that fragrance label because who know's what they could be using. A few bad examples of things you DON'T want sneaking under that fragrance label are endocrine disrupters or cancer causing ingredients.. this is just the tip of the iceberg though. Transparency is KEY!
If a company replies with a very vague response, for example, "Our ingredients are vegan, organic, non-toxic, etc", that is not transparent enough for me. I want to be able to decide for myself and as a consumer you should also want to know what you're using.
*This also goes for Natural Fragrance, Natural Flavors, Flavors. Some companies ARE transparent when you reach out.*
Click here to see my post on fragrance + some examples
Fluoride
This is somehow still controversial in the dental field right now but for me it is an easy no. Does fluoride work? I'm sure it absolutely does and I have read many testimonies on it working great for people! I also worked in the dental field for 8 years. It took A LOT for me to come to the other side of this topic. Is it a neurotoxin and cross the blood brain barrier? Yes. Does it effect the pineal gland (our melatonin regulator)? Yes. There is a lot of information on this subject but those two questions are what make it SO easy for me to say NOPE.
LINK 2- "Elevated fluoride intake during early development can result in IQ deficits"
LINK 3 - "Association between high fluoride exposure and reduced intelligence"
LINK 4- "fluoride has gone from being a "nutrient" to a suspected neurotoxin"
I think this is great place to get started - there's actually more studies you can look up.
Check out my post HERE to see my thoughts on fluoride.
Lead:
When I first learned about lead, I was appalled! I think we all kind of have a fear around it. I'm sure you might've heard that they had to change the paint in people's homes due to children licking the walls or little pieces falling off and getting lead poisoning. So yes, it is a severe thing.
According to WHO, "There is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects". & "There is no known safe blood lead concentration; even blood lead concentrations as low as 3.5 µg/dL may be associated with decreased intelligence in children, behavioral difficulties and learning problems."
Lead can be naturally occurring in soil and pretty much any natural sources too, though. I feel like it's unfair to say there is absolutely no safe amount of levels because as humans, we are going to come in contact with lead whether we like it or not.. it can be found in soil, salt, the ocean, the air... and even man made products like vaccines, beauty products, personal products, etc.
I am NOT claiming to be an expert in lead and I DO believe at high amounts it can be harmful. I do believe we need to avoid it at high levels, but my point here is... we are all exposed to it and if you're going to choose products with natural ingredients, having them 3rd party tested and the results being minimal is ideal.
If you or your child have been tested with high amounts of lead in your system, you need to stay in contact with your healthcare provider and safely do what is needed. I am not watering down your experience, high amounts is scary!
But should we fear lead? I don't think we could control it if we wanted to. We can reduce our exposure for sure but we have to find a middle ground here. I'm sure we could find lead everywhere we go if we were looking.
Please do your own research on this and make your own decisions for your own body. This is all just my own opinion.
Mica
Mica is used to add shimmer in mineral Cosmetic products.
The issue with Mica:
1) is long term inhalation which typically only effects the workers who are working with Mica daily and/or construction workers.
2) The child labor. Many families in poor areas have their children working as well. Children working in Mica mining can be a very dangerous job! Not only with the worry of long term inhalation but also there's also the fear of those children being trapped under large rocks. Many of this mining is happening illegally and mostly in India and Madagascar.
You can always reach out to a company to ensure their Mica is ethically sourced from their suppliers.
Nano-Hydroxyapatite
In my own personal opinion, this is the "new fluoride" This is a much deeper subject than what I'm going to write in this description. Does hydroxyapatite work? Yes, in a few studies I've seen online, it has had benefits. My concern is with Nano-hydroxyapatite isn't that it works though.. it's that it was
1) Developed by NASA (which is odd to me),
2) it's a nanoparticle (man made),
3) it can travel throughout the body (even the blood brain barrier)
4) I believe our teeth remineralize themselves with a quality lifestyle.
There aren't any long term studies yet but there are a few animal studies that already show side effects. Check out my instagram post #1 and #2 on this subject and I will link some positive AND negative studies/articles below so you can start your own research on this ingredient and make an informed decision for yourself! If they come up with more studies on this, I am willing to change my mind but this is where I stand for now.
See one of my posts HERE.
Hydroxyapatite positive studies/articles: Yes! It works!
- Ask the Dentist Article
- Hydroxyapatite Compared to Fluoride Study
- Hydroxyapatite Whitens
- Hydroxyapatite Helps with Sensitivity
- Hydroxyapatite Remineralizes
- Hydroxyapatite Remineralizes
Hydroxyapatite negative studies/articles: ....but side effects?
Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is a newer ingredient that is getting a lot of buzz because there are some regulations around it that I think companies are okay with. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is getting added into many products, specifically cosmetics, skincare, and personal products. It is also the first ingredient I look for BECAUSE:
1) It is a member of the glycol ether family and is the product of the reaction of highly corrosive phenol with carcinogenic ethylene oxide. As a result, it may contain residue amounts of both which form 1,4 Dioxane (a known carcinogen)
2) The American Society of Contact Dermatitis lists phenoxyethanol as one of its core allergens, even in concentrations as low as 1%.
3) It was originally thought to be safer than most parabens and has replaced parabens in most "natural" products.
4) Aside from contamination risks, phenoxyethanol has been linked to causing damage to brain cells & nervous system, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and inflammation of the lungs.
5) "Phenoxyethanol, found in the cream, was depressing the central nervous system and causing vomiting and diarrhea in breast feeding infants" LINK
If you do a quick search online for phenoxyethanol, every article will tell you it’s safe at under 1%… but what happens when you’re using multiple products everyday with that ingredient in it? it’s in a lot of products! I see it OFTEN, especially in products at the store. Personally, it's an easy no from me.
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Potassium Sorbate
Potassium Sorbate is a Preservative. There are many products that NEED preservatives or the product will mold. I prefer SAFE preservatives. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has deemed Potassium Sorbate (and Sorbic Acid) as safe in both foods and personal products. Personally, I do think we should avoid preservatives in food since we're ingesting (and stick with whole, real foods). You will see this preservative in many clean products. If you completely steer clear of preservatives altogether, you may not align with many products on my storefront but you may find some options without it!
*Potassium Sorbate: I am okay with this preservative in cosmetics and personal care but NOT okay ingesting. Click HERE to read more.
Seed Oils
Seed oils are allll the rage this year! And I totally understand why. BUT, I feel there is some confusion around them.
The first thing I want to note is that you have to keep in mind: Quality & Route of Exposure (Ingesting, Putting on the skin, Inhaling).
Seed oils being ingested in food has become a big issue because when these oils get heated up, it changes the chemistry which can make them inflammatory for humans. We also have to consider the way that these seed oils are being processed (are they being cold pressed or processed with harmful solvents?) THIS is why they're being talked about often and since these seed oils are cheaper for companies & restaurants, we're finding them in most food these days.
"Cold-pressing procedure does not involve heat or chemical treatments, which may alter their composition and therapeutic effects" Pubmed
What does inflammation cause? .... disease.
So yes, I absolutely try my best to avoid ingesting seed oils when possible!
BUT, when it comes to the skin, this is an entirely different ball game. It will depend on the quality of the oil, type of oil, how it was processed, and what it's being used for. Actually, research shows that most seed oils have benefits on the skin! I will link these studies below.
Pubmed: "Antioxidant and antimicrobial potentialities of safflower"
" For example, plant oil application may act as a protective barrier to the skin by an occlusive effect, allowing the skin to retain moisture, resulting in decreased TEWL values. Additionally, topical products have the benefit of higher bioavailability in the skin and having a localized effect rather than systemic effects. Previous research on plant oils have demonstrated that almond, jojoba, soybean, and avocado oils, when applied topically, mostly remain at the surface of skin, without deep penetration into the first upper layers of the SC"
Pubmed: "Sunflower seed oil has been shown to preserve SC integrity and improve hydration of the adult skin without inducing erythema"
Pubmed: "Furthermore, the expression of inflammatory profile was lower in the coconut oil-treated group after exposure to UVB radiation. Topical coconut oil protects the skin from UV radiation"
Pubmed: "Traditionally, argan oil has been utilized in cooking, in the treatment of skin infections, and in skin/hair care products. Daily topical application of argan oil has also been shown to improve skin elasticity and skin hydration by restoring the barrier function and maintaining the water-holding capacity"
Pubmed: "Topical soybean oil protects against UVB-induced cutaneous erythema"
Pubmed: "Topical peanut oil protects the skin from UV radiation"
Pubmed: "Avocado Oil is an excellent source of enrichment for dry, damaged, or chapped skin"
Pubmed: "Jojoba oil a good repair option for dermatoses with altered skin barriers, such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczematous dermatitis, AD, and acne. Jojoba oil also has a proven anti-inflammatory effect, with potential uses in a variety of skin conditions including skin infections, skin aging, and WH"
I think you get the point...
You also have to consider each oil on it's own. Each seed oil has different properties and heating points that are important to note. For example, olive oil is not really meant to be heated and has caused issues on the skin like atopic dermatitis. This is not an oil that I would typically find in skincare either though.
Pubmed Olive Oil vs Sunflower Oil Study
Pubmed: Mustard Seed Oil vs Sunflower Oil
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium benzoate is not a concern unless you have an allergy to it and there's over 5% being used in a product. I would also be concerned if sodium benzoate was mixed with ascorbic acid (not citric acid) because it COULD potentially create a benzene ring (at extreme temps). Sodium benzoate can also be an eye irritant- I wouldn't wipe baby's eyes (or yours) with this (example, baby wipes)
You will see this ingredient highlighted within many different products. If I'm okay with it in that type of product, it will be listed.
I would absolutely not want this preservative in something that I'm ingesting.
Synthetics
I've realized on my journey that there are many people who are 100% opposed to synthetics. Synthetics are man-made materials made from natural materials. I COMPLETELY understand why it's easy to not trust synthetics. We can get a lot done with just natural ingredients BUT there are some products I am okay with SAFE synthetics that have long and short term studies. The ingredients help performance in certain products, for example, cosmetics.
⭐️ Not all synthetics are toxic just like not all natural ingredients are safe ⭐️
➡️ For example, snake venom can be lethal and Japanese Honeysuckle has an almost identical molecular structure as parabens which can mimic estrogen & cause hormone imbalance.
➡️ Natural ingredients also have more of a risk of heavy metals + pesticides.....
➡️ ....while synthetics can have less contamination issues + less sustainability issues
There are absolutely some synthetic ingredients that I COMPLETELY avoid and I also completely avoid them in anything we ingest (food & supplements) but there are products that we put on our skin that are completely safe + tested short & long term.
I think we can absolutely be cautious with synthetic ingredients but just note that it depends on a laundry list of factors.
*You can find many products without synthetics in my shop as well if it's something you avoid*
HERE is my shareable post on this topic
Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide is a HOT topic ever since the news came out that they have found it in food products (skittles, etc) Read the news HERE. Understandably! This is horrific to find out, the lack of safety + the lack of regulation in the food industry is concerning!
Titanium dioxide is used to make a product a white pigment. It can be found in foods, personal products, beverages, paint, plastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paper products, tampons, and sunscreens.
There's a few details to catch in the news:
1) These were NANO size titanium dioxide particles ❌
2) NANO titanium dioxide was found to bioaccumulate, break DNA strands and cause chromosomal damage! SCARY! ❌
3) The EFSA declared titanium dioxide not safe for consumption ❌
If you've stuck around with me, you know that I am against ANYTHING nano sized. This includes but is not limited to: titanium dioxide, silver, hydroxyapatite, etc
This is why I want to explain why I'm okay with titanium dioxide (IN SOME CASES):
1) I am okay with NON-NANO titanium dioxide. This is a larger size (>100nm) and unlikely to penetrate into the skin ✅
2) I AVOID it in loose powder & spray products. It was classified as a group 2B carcinogen when inhaled. LINK ❌
3) I avoid it in foods (when I can) but there is no real regulations around it and it does not have to be listed on the label directly (ugh). It can actually be listed under "Artificial Color" LINK ❌
4) It's important that it's 3rd party tested for heavy metals. I personally believe all natural pigments should be tested for this not only for safety but for transparency. ✅
5) I avoid it in unnecessary products like: toilet paper, food products, tampons, deodorant, beverages, pharmaceuticals, etc
This all might sound complicated but there are companies that do abide by the safety of titanium dioxide and it's an important ingredient used to help create lighter pigment colors in makeup products & some companies add it into their sunscreens as a natural UV protection
I would like to note that I actually do *somewhat* avoid it in sunscreen because I have found many without it but I don't believe it is toxic in NON-nano form. I'm just not 100% on if those companies 3rd party test for it.
I hope by the end of this, you're able to do your own research and make your own informed decisions on what products you're okay using it in (or maybe not at all) but I do share products with & without it so if you avoid it, double check!
Find my Shareable Post on Titanium Dioxide HERE
There will always be pros and cons to ingredients. You have to decide what pros and cons are most important to you & your health and make a decision from there! Always do your own research- as always 🫶🏻
My list may update over time as I learn more.
xo,
Destiny