Author Archives: Editor

Marie Guerlain – Triclosan

Triclosan and triclocarban are chlorinated aromatic compounds highly soluble in water. They are registered as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency since 1969, and used in personal care products and detergents, to name a few, as a means to slow down or stop the growth of bacteria, fungi and mildew. Research proves that thisContinue reading “Marie Guerlain – Triclosan”

Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Phthalates

Pronounced ‘thalates’, they are salts or esters of phthalic acid. Phthalates are used in a variety of personal care products as fragrances – to make them linger. They are also used as a lubricant in cosmetics. Commonly found in plastic food and drink containers they are also present in our food and water (from pesticidesContinue reading “Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Phthalates”

Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – PEG compounds

Polyethylene glycol is a family of petroleum compounds widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, moisture-carriers, solvents and softeners. As a penetration enhancer, it allows other harmful compounds often found in PEGs to be absorbed by our skin. This includes 1,4-dioxane which is a known carcinogen, as well as heavy metals such as lead, cobalt, iron,Continue reading “Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – PEG compounds”

Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Parabens

An artificial preservative used in personal care products, Parabens are the reason sunscreens, deodorants, shampoos and conditioners do not ‘spoil’. Research has shown that it takes 26 seconds for our skin to absorb parabens into our bloodstream. Pregnant women and young children are most vulnerable to this family of synthetics. Problems associated with it: BreastContinue reading “Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Parabens”

Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone or benzophenone-3 (trade names Milestab 9, Eusolex 4360, Escalol 567, KAHSCREEN BZ-3) is an organic compound. It is a pale-yellow solid that is readily soluble in most organic solvents. Oxybenzone belongs to the class of aromatic ketones known as benzophenones. Studies have shown its high penetrative capacity as well as our bodies ability toContinue reading “Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Oxybenzone”

Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Glycol Ethers

A common solvent in paints, cleaning products, brake fluid and cosmetics, glycol ethers are known to shrink the testicles of rats exposed to it. Linked to the damage of fertility of unborn children, as well as reported cases of asthma and allergy in children exposed to it from the paint that coats their bedroom walls.Continue reading “Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Glycol Ethers”

Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Formaldehyde / Formaldehyde releasers

Some cosmetics chemicals are designed to react with water in the bottle to generate a little formaldehyde, a preservative, to keep the product from growing mould and bacteria. But formaldehyde is a potent allergen which the World Health Organization consider carcinogenic. Formaldehyde releasers include DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, and quaternium-15. A 2010 studyContinue reading “Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Formaldehyde / Formaldehyde releasers”

Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Ethanolamine – MEA/DEA/TEA

These are pH-stabilizers and are used as emulsifiers and preservatives, in a host of personal care and household cleaning products. They have the ability to interact with nitrates in some products or the raw materials in products to form easily carcinogenic nitrosomes which are easily absorbed Found in: All-purpose household cleaning products, spot removes andContinue reading “Marie Guerlain – A – Z of Toxicity in our home – Ethanolamine – MEA/DEA/TEA”