Living Green: The Missing Manual

Green Health and Beauty Products

Do you know what's in the stuff you slather on your skin, lather into your hair, or paint on your nails? Many beauty and health products are a chemical minefield, and it pays to know what's in them before you make them part of your routine. Obviously, no one today would use the lead-based cosmetics women in ancient Rome used to whiten their complexions. But did you know that as many as 60% of all lipsticks on the market contain some lead? (Don't lick your lips as you ponder that.)

Roman women didn't know that even small amounts of lead can be toxic, building up in the body and causing serious neurological, gastrointestinal, kidney, reproductive, and other problems. Kind of makes you wonder about chemicals that are allowed in health and beauty products today, doesn't it? What problems may crop up down the road because of exposure to amounts currently considered safe?

It's better to be safe—really safe—than sorry. Table 7-1 lists ingredients you may find in health and beauty products that have raised concerns about health. Read labels and avoid these substances. (Ironically, you'll find many of these chemicals listed under "inactive ingredients.")

Table 7-1. Iffy Ingredients in Health and Beauty Products

Substance	Commonly Used In	Possible Health Effects
Aluminum	Deodorants (as aluminum chlorohydrate), eye shadows, and in many dyes that color products.	Anemia, brain damage. May be particularly dangerous to people with impaired kidney function.