16 Dangerous Skincare Ingredients

Many popular skincare and cosmetic products contain potentially harmful ingredients. Here's a roundup of ingredients to look out for, the products that may contain them, and why they can be dangerous:

1. Coal tar. Used in hair dyes and dandruff prevention products, this carcinogen is often labeled as FD&C or D&C on product labels.

2. DMDM hydantoin and bronopol. These cosmetic preservatives are particularly dangerous as they decompose, releasing the carcinogen formaldehyde—one of the many reasons to replace your makeup once a year.

3. Formaldehyde. Used in hair straighteners and many cosmetics to preserve shelf life, it's a known carcinogen that can also be toxic to nerves, development, and can trigger asthma and skin reactions.

4.Fragrances. These can trigger allergic reactions and disrupt hormone balances. Choose products labeled "phthalate-free" to avoid any potential reactions.

5.Heavy metals. Lead and mercury are often found in makeup and hair dye to help preserve the compounds, despite the fact that they are known to be toxic and are banned from other substances. Lead is a carcinogen and mercury can damage the nervous system.

6.Hydroquinone. This skin-bleaching agent can have disfiguring side effects and has been proven to cause tumors in animals.

7. Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone. These are much easier to find in personal care products than they are to pronounce. Products containing these chemicals are highly likely to irritate skin and cause allergic reactions.

8. MEA/DEA/TEA. These ammonia compounds are used to adjust cosmetic pH and are used as foaming agents—they can irritate skin and eyes.

9.Oxybenzone. Found in sunscreens, oxybenzone is a known allergen that's suspected to disrupt hormone balance.

10.Parabens. These preservatives are extremely common in skincare products. Parabens are known to wreak havoc on hormones, the endocrine system, and have a strong link to breast cancer. Parabens are seen on labels as propyl, butylparaben, isopropyl, and isobutylparabens.

11.Petroleum-based ingredients. Ingredients containing petroleum jelly, mineral oils, or paraffin can block the skin's ability to breathe and self-exfoliate—potentially leading to breakouts and contact dermatitis.

12. Phenylenediamine (PPD). Banned in Europe, this substance is still found in many U.S. hair dyes. It's thought to can cause skin irritation and lead to respiratory problems.

13. Phthalates. Found in everything from deodorant to lotions, these skin-penetrating additives have been linked issues in to male reproductive system.

14. Retinol, retinyl palmitate, and vitamin A (in large quantities). Popular in skin creams for their anti-aging properties, these compounds can be toxic and lead to skin cancer when combined with sun exposure. They can cause birth defects when used during pregnancy. If you decide to use any of these ingredients, restrict use for only nighttime.

15. Sulfates. These help to give shampoos and toothpaste their lather, but can cause damage to eyes and skin.

16. Triclocarban or triclosan. These antibacterial ingredients in soap and toothpaste are environmentally hazardous. They can also interfere with thyroid function and hormone balance.

The FDA does not regulate most cosmetic ingredients and just because a product is labeled "organic," only 10 percent of its makeup may be derived from organic ingredients. Your best bet is to scan labels for potentially harmful ingredients and be your own advocate.

Sources:

Ewg.org: "Myths on Cosmetics Safety." Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. 2011.
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/myths-on-cosmetics-safety/

Ewg.org: "Top Tips for Safer Products." Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. 2011.
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/top-tips-for-safer-products/#pick_safer

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RA and Cigarettes: A Dangerous Match

As if you needed another reason not to smoke, scientists have come up with yet another one: It turns out that smokers who receive treatment for early rheumatoid arthritis respond less vigorously than people who have never picked up a cigarette. Even former smokers achieve a better response than current smokers.

A 10-year study, conducted at Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Swedenlooked at data for 1,430 rheumatoid arthritis patients from ages 18 to 70, all of whom enrolled in clinical trials after being diagnosed. Twenty-seven percent were current smokers.The patients were given methotrexate or tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, common therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.

After three months on methotrexate, 36 percent of nonsmokers achieved a good response to treatment versus only 27 percent of smokers. The effects of tobacco were even more pronounced in the group taking tumor necrosis factor inhibitors: 43 percent of nonsmokers did well after three months, while only 29 percent of smokers did.

Interestingly, a past history of smoking did not seem to affect patients' responses to either therapy.

Not only does smoking interfere with rheumatoid-arthritis treatments, but past research has shown that smoking is itself a risk factor for the development and severity of the disease. A University of Iowa study questioned the smoking habits of 336 people with rheumatoid arthritis and found that people who had smoked over a long period of time were much more likely to be rheumatoid factor positive (rheumatoid factor is an autoimmune antibody that is strongly associated with a more severe course of the disease) and have more joint erosion than patients who had never smoked. A British study examined the records of thousands of Finnish children born in 1987 and determined that a mother's tobacco use during pregnancy increased the risk of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in female children.

Since rheumatoid arthritis patients can suffer so much from the symptoms of the disease, it makes sense to put smoking cessation at the top of the treatment list. If you're a smoker with rheumatoid arthritis, talk to your doctor about getting help kicking the habit before you begin treatment. If you're already in treatment, remember that quitting smoking may help you respond to your medication more strongly.

Sources:

American College of Rheumatologist, www.rheumatology.org

U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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RA and Cigarettes: A Dangerous Match

As if you needed another reason not to smoke, scientists have come up with yet another one: It turns out that smokers who receive treatment for early rheumatoid arthritis respond less vigorously than people who have never picked up a cigarette. Even former smokers achieve a better response than current smokers.

A 10-year study, conducted at Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Swedenlooked at data for 1,430 rheumatoid arthritis patients from ages 18 to 70, all of whom enrolled in clinical trials after being diagnosed. Twenty-seven percent were current smokers.The patients were given methotrexate or tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, common therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.

After three months on methotrexate, 36 percent of nonsmokers achieved a good response to treatment versus only 27 percent of smokers. The effects of tobacco were even more pronounced in the group taking tumor necrosis factor inhibitors: 43 percent of nonsmokers did well after three months, while only 29 percent of smokers did.

Interestingly, a past history of smoking did not seem to affect patients' responses to either therapy.

Not only does smoking interfere with rheumatoid-arthritis treatments, but past research has shown that smoking is itself a risk factor for the development and severity of the disease. A University of Iowa study questioned the smoking habits of 336 people with rheumatoid arthritis and found that people who had smoked over a long period of time were much more likely to be rheumatoid factor positive (rheumatoid factor is an autoimmune antibody that is strongly associated with a more severe course of the disease) and have more joint erosion than patients who had never smoked. A British study examined the records of thousands of Finnish children born in 1987 and determined that a mother's tobacco use during pregnancy increased the risk of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in female children.

Since rheumatoid arthritis patients can suffer so much from the symptoms of the disease, it makes sense to put smoking cessation at the top of the treatment list. If you're a smoker with rheumatoid arthritis, talk to your doctor about getting help kicking the habit before you begin treatment. If you're already in treatment, remember that quitting smoking may help you respond to your medication more strongly.

Sources:

American College of Rheumatologist, www.rheumatology.org

U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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When Social Drinking Becomes Dangerous

It's the end of a long week-or a long day-and if you're like many Americans, you reach for glass of wine, beer, or a cocktail to help you unwind. This behavior is considered normal as well as socially acceptable. Popular television shows like Mad Men glamorize drinking alcohol, which can make it hard to imagine a party, celebration, or sporting event without it.

In truth, about three out of every four U.S. adults never exceed the threshold for "problem drinking." According to an extensive survey conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), for men, that translates to five or more drinks in a day (for women it's four or more). Still nearly 17.6 million adults in the U.S. are alcoholics or have alcohol problems, and more than 79,000 deaths per year are attributed to alcohol misuse.

So, how do you know if the drinking you do in social settings is dangerous? First, here's some background on alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease with four main features, as defined by the NIAAA:

A craving or a strong need to drink.Loss of control or the inability to stop drinking once you've begun.Physical dependence shown by withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, or shakiness once drinking has ceased.Tolerance for having increasing amounts of alcohol in order to get a "high."

It's possible for a person to dangerously abuse alcohol-drink too much and too often-but still not be dependent on alcohol. Alcohol dependency often interferes with an individual's ability to meet work, school, and/or family responsibilities. Social drinking can be especially dangerous when driving or when taking certain over-the-counter and prescription medications. 

Heavy drinking is dangerous. It causes damage to the liver, brain, and other organs and can increase the risk of certain cancers. You're also more likely to die from car crashes and other injuries if you over do it, and both homicide and suicide rates are higher in this population. For men, excessive alcohol use can interfere with testicular function and male hormone production resulting in impotence, infertility, and reduction of male secondary sex characteristics such as facial and chest hair.

Problem drinkers habitually exceed the acceptable daily limit of two drinks for men (and one for women) or who binge, meaning they consume five or more drinks at any one sitting. Standard drink sizes are: 12 ounces of beer; five ounces of wine (the standard 750 ml bottle contains five drinks) or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor/spirits such as whiskey, gin, and vodka.

Problem drinkers (compared to alcoholics) tend to be younger, have been misusing alcohol for a shorter period of time, and are still able to hold jobs. They also tend to have better social support from friends and family.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use affects more men than women. Men consistently have higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations than women, says the CDC. And, among drivers in fatal motor-vehicle traffic crashes, men are almost twice as likely as women to have been legally intoxicated.

Protect yourself from alcohol misuse with these practical tips:

Don't have more than one alcoholic drink per hour. Alternate alcoholic drinks with club soda, soft drinks, or water.Always use a shot glass when measuring hard liquor to prevent under estimates.Never exceed 14 drinks per week.Don't drink on an empty stomach. Food helps delay the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.If you enjoy spirits, (gin, vodka, etc.) dilute drinks with a mixer. Drinks served "neat" or "on the rocks" metabolize in the body more quickly.

Sources:

National Institutes of Health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD)
http://www.ncadd.org

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov

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VitaminWater flu-fighting claims “dangerous”

That’s the complaint from the National Consumers League. The nonprofit organization this week urged the Federal Trade Commission to promptly put an end to the “unfair and deceptive” ads for the drink, including one that says “flu shots are so last year.”

If that means you should skip the flu shot and drink VitaminWater instead, we beg to differ. While some VitaminWater drinks contain vitamin C and zinc, our recent report on flu supplements found those nutrients were unlikely to offer any benefit in flu prevention or treatment. In contrast, the flu shot is proven to reduce the risk of catching the flu by about 70 to 90 percent in healthy adults, and it’s now recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

So if you drink VitaminWater, do it for the taste; not for warding off the flu.

—Ginger Skinner, web associate editor

Read more on how to prevent the flu.

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