Environmental Working Group provides list of toxins found in popular skin care products

TAMPA, Fla. - You use them every day, but how much do you know about the chemicals found in makeup, deodorant, lotions and soaps?  We go in-depth to show the toxins and potential health hazards found in popular skin care products.

Think about the skin-care products you use on a typical day:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toothpaste
• Face wash
• Shaving cream
• Moisturizer
• Hair shine
• Hair spray
• Foundation
• Powder
• Mascara
• Blush
• Lipstick
• Lip gloss

And that's just at the beginning of the day.  There are upwards of 30 products from all different manufacturers, and you probably have no clue what ingredients you slather on yourself every single day.

Which is why Nicole Deopere, with the National Organization of Women, is on a mission to inform and educate women -- and men -- about the lotions and potions we all use.

“I don't think a lot of people realize your skin absorbs everything you put onto it.”

Advocates point to scientific studies showing that some of the chemicals decrease fertility, cause allergies and are even linked to cancer.

So, how do you know what's in your products? 

The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit research organization that rates the toxicity of more than 69,000 cosmetic products, and has them all in an online database (links below).

Deopere said she was surprised when she heard her foundation was rated a 'five,' indicating a high level of developmental and reproductive toxicity.

“I feel shocked about it,” she said, because she bought it at Whole Foods and assumed it was safe. “Glad that I know now, because I will probably buy a different foundation.”

The database shows Olay tinted moisturizer gets the highest toxicity rating -- a ten.  Neutrogena *Healthy Skin Firming Cream Body Lotion also got a ten rating, and Cover Girl Natureluxe Foundation earned a nine.  The E-W-G claims all three products contain cancer-causing ingredients.

But -- is this all over-hype?

Dermatologist Dr. Neel Patel says while it's important to be wary, it's also imperative you consider what the research actually shows. “Although some studies may say in animals they can produce certain things, most of the time, in humans, they tend to be safe.”

And beyond that, says Patel, in many cases, chemicals like phthalates, parabens, formaldehydes serve a necessary purpose. “Parabens is a common preservative and preservatives are important because they do keep products safe.”

But still concerning to Deopere, is the lack of FDA regulation of the cosmetics industry.  “If a company has an ingredient listed on their label called "fragrance," that's basically considered a "trade secret" and they don't have to disclose all of the ingredients in that fragrance.”

She pointed out we are not putting on just one product with trace amounts of these chemicals, but potentially dozens throughout the day.

Still, Dr. Patel says there is no solid evidence that the ingredients in any of these cosmetic products are harmful to your health.

Online resources:  

• http://www.ewg.org/skindeep
• http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?list=type&type=29