ESTROGEN IN COSMETICS!
I was appalled to read a report about how Estrogen is in many of the cosmetics we use but it seems the manufacturers are not listing it in their ingredients and at this point no one is doing anything about forcing them to. It seems it is very important that those of us who are ER+ and taking Arimidex, Tamoxifen etc. should NOT be using or eating anything with estrogen ingredients in it. The kicker here is that I can't seem to find out what the name of the ingredient is if it is listed at all on the product. The report just said to go to www.safecosmetics.org to see if the brand of the cosmetics we use is listed there. It seems Safe Cosmetics is trying to provide the cosmetics we can use. I have not gone to that website yet but will today.
If anyone knows more about this subject, I would appreciate any information you can share. The names that were mentioned in the article were Estriol and Estrone. However, in my opinion, I fear the cosmetic companies may be renaming these ingredients in some unrecognizable way.
Thanks for your help in this concerning matter.
Comments
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medical,
Do our bodies absorb the estrogen? I had no idea it was in makeup. I also read an article just today about the fruit and vegetables, and the chemicals that are used to treat the fruits and vegetables react as estrogen in our bodies. I had no idea. I have been doing everything wrong it seems.
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Kira, that is what got me so concerned. The articles I read stated our bodies absorb the estrogen in these products and it can cause problems for those of us who are on the anti-estrogen regimes like Arimidex etc. Here we are suffering the side effects of Arimidex and that moisturizer I put on my creepy face could be shortening my life?? I think I will go for being "old and ugly" and live longer!
I was able to sign a petition they have on the site which is trying to get Washington to pass a bill forcing the companies to put ALL the ingredients on their labels. I read that parabens should be avoided (like Methylparaben) and that crap is in tons of products! This is NO fun!
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Folks, I just realized tonight as I was preparing my face for bed that I don't have to grow "old and ugly" because of this concern about estrogen in cosmetics. When I got cancer I found out about cosmetics made by Bare Escentuals which I was told are recommended by Oncologists because they are so pure and safe for cancer patients. When I picked up my cleanser and moisturizer made by them tonight, I realized I was worrying for nothing. I think the Arimidex is playing tricks with my mine because I didn't even remember what I am using on my own body. Now I can just be "old" and still have lovely skin and not have estrogen problems. Happy Day!
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A helpful website to determine safe sunscreens and lotions is the Environmental Working Group web site. Here in Fla, I have now become conscious of specifically the sun screens put on my boys and myself. You want to avoid oxybenzone which has estrogen like effects and parabens which is an endocrine disruptor. Also the antiaging lotions that contain red clover has estrogen like effects.
It is so overwhelming to be reading all these labels so I decided to take one thing at a time and then stick to the brand. I purchased a healthy sunscreen, now I'll work on the moisturing body lotions. Perhaps we can pool all of our researches and help each other out. I use the bare minerals but haven't used the cleanser, is that what you are refering to Medigal?
As Medigal put it we don't want to grow old and dry prematurely. Not that I ever looked radiant, I want to do what I can not to look dried up.
I am also on the indole 3 carbinol often sold as DIM in regards to it prevents conversion of the 2hydroxyestrone to the carcinogenic form of 16 and 4 hydroxyestrone form. There are studies out now and its mentioned on the Memorial Sloan K. web site. By the way, this indole 3 carbinol is the potent enzyme found in the crusiferious veggies like the broccoli sprouts. You cannot measure in the blood these bad estrogens as they are stored in the fat, so it will be hard to tell if it works. Perhaps less fat stored on the waist??. May be helpful in those who are high risk and want some type of non prescription prevention.
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pb22, Yes I was referring to Bare Minerals also known as Bare Escentuals and I use the matching cleanser with their moisturizer which is actually named Rare Minerals. However the containers have Bare Escentuals also written as the company. I have very sensitive skin and I just love this stuff! I also use their foundations etc. and whatever else I need. I am determined NOT to allow all that chemo and radiation they poured into my body to destroy my skin! I can't stop growing OLD but I can "try" to look younger without using damaging cosmetics on my face and body. Just my personal feelings.
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check out www.cosmeticsdatabase.com it will tell you what the safest things to use are. Refrain from using body lotions with parabens, I just use olive oil, it works great. Yes, estrogen (xenoestrogens) from cosmetics, lotions, potions, household cleaners etc get absorbed into our bodies.
L
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kira1234...info on skin absorbtion of chemicals in make-up/beauty products...I am extremely sensitive to chemicals, I feel like the canary in the coal mine...Someone can walk by me the chemicals in their daily routine knocks me out...I can hardly be around my mom since she showers herself in hairspray, lotions, etc....
Chemicals in Cosmetics
- Your skin absorbs 60 – 70 percent of whatever you put on it.
- There is no testing for long-term health effects of chemical ingredients in cosmetics. The FDA only requires irritancy tests on beauty products.
- The FDA does not require cosmetics manufacturers to register their products.
- Many of the chemicals found in every-day cosmetics are carcinogenic (cancer causing substances).
- 90 percent of the ingredients in cosmetics have not been tested for safety or long-term health effects.
- Some estimates say that women absorb over 2 pounds of toxic substances through their makeup and skin products every year!
Here’s a short list of what to avoid:
Parabens – Found in processed foods and cosmetics, parabens are used as preservatives. They are found naturally in many plants, but those used in consumer products are synthetically made. Parabens function similar to estrogen, disrupting the endocrine (your hormone) system and increase your risk of getting breast cancer.
Phthalates – Phthalates are petrochemicals used to soften plastics. They are used in hairsprays, perfumes, and mascaras. Recent studies indicate that even low doses of phthalates can increase the risk of development problems for male babies in utero. The production of phthalates – almost a billion pounds per year – is a major contributor to air and water contamination.
Petrochemicals – Are found in most cosmetics and are derived from petroleum. They are suspected to be neuro-toxins (toxic to brain), heart, lungs and the immune system. Petrochemicals may also be listed with names like isoparaffins, petroleum distillates, or propylene glycol.
FD&C Colors – Carcinogenic coal tar derivatives used for color in mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner and nail polish.
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Fairy49: That is a GREAT webpage you included. Just what I was looking for! Thank you so much for sharing. It gives ALL ingredients in the products. This is something we all should keep available, in my opinion, for when we want to buy a new product. Thanks so much!
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Yes, thats the environmental working groups website that has the sunscreens and its ingredients.
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Noticed in the costco flyer they advertise the kirkland shampoo and conditioner to be paraben free as well as sulfide free.
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I found a great database where you can look up your cosmetics, moisterizers, etc and get ratings. http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com Wouldn't you know, half my health food store 'natural' products are in the list of medium to 'bad' products.
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Barbara, I'm using that website also. Boy was I frustrated when I looked at the ingredients of the scar cream with suncreen I purchased for over 100.00 at the PS. I thought great I won't forget to use the suncreen on the scar being its in this expensive cream. Main active ingredient, oxybenzene and I had been putting that on all my scars.
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Thankyou so much Medigal for starting this thread. I havent followed any links yet. Hope I dont get bogged down with endless searching and information overload. What would be great is an easy to access (where you dont have to drill down and down) "one stop" place.
Musical
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Thanks for the website, I spent a lot of time looking for my products there. Hopefully they update often, because I use a lot of different stuff and some of it wasn't listed.
Is anyone reading this thread who like me had a hysterectomy or is post menopausal? I asked my doctor if I needed to worry much about parabens or other chemicals in body products and she said not to worry so much, since my main source of estrogen - my ovaries - were removed. I will still watch what I use, but I wonder if anyone knows if cutting out estrogen altogether has other health implications?
Jennifer
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GREAT info above... especially somanywomen's post and the website Fairy posted.
Be careful about Bare Minerals... although their mineral cosmetics don't have estrogenic ingredients, some of their products DO. I found this out the hard way after buying their product that you put on before applying the powder (it was a liquid; I don't remember the name)... the ingredients list included parabens... that was enough for me to chuck it. It also had a bunch of other chemicals in it.
The FDA has approved the skin as a "drug delivery system"... substances you apply to the skin are VERY easily absorbed. Please be extra-extra-careful about anything you're slathering over a large area of your skin, especially if it's something you use every day. I'm at a point now where I only use organic foods as skin care (e.g. organic coconut oil as a moisturizer). It works a lot better, is usually cheaper (if you compare by weight), and it won't cause cancer like lotions do!
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Yes, I did see the bare minerals liquid on there as well as some of the expense brands sold at my PS office. I read somewhere that when you rub onto your skin in the form of lotions 10% more is absorbed than thru the gi tract. We do alot of lotions in a lifetime. If there is a choice to be made I think I'd rather cut out the parabens and unhealthy lotions as they are chemicals so to speak in favor of not being as hard on myself over estrogenic foods that may come my way and I could enjoy. Tomorrow I have my onc. appointment and I'm going to ask their philosophy regarding the cosmetics and lotions.
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PB22,
I would love to know what your onc. says since mine didn't think there was enough risk for me to be concerned, but her response could have to do with me having no ovaries, too. I would also love to hear about any particular lotions/body products people run across that have screened well. One of my "Kiss My Face" lotions (olive and aloe) screened well, the other not as well, some of my The Body Shop Aloe face cleansers & toners screened well, but you can't count on an entire brand being good. Also, does anyone have a list of which natural products to avoid, like soy, because of estrogen? I would hate to slather something else all over my body only to find out it isn't any better. I have tried to cut back on how much lotion I am using, it gets very dry here so it is hard to go without, but I figured half as much may help until I find a product I don't have to worry about.
Thanks for all of the suggestions on this thread!
Jennifer
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Luckeme, (nice screen name)
My onc agrees with yours. I don't have my ovaries and on arimidex. I also inquired about soy foods and she felt moderation was acceptable. On the above cosmetic link from the environmental working group, a brand of sunscreen called badger ranked high. I haven't seen it on the shelves but it is available on amazon. Purchased Toms deodorant found on the grocery shelf.
My thinking is that the oncs. follow the guidelines of the NCI and physicals follow what the standards of care are , so I'm thinking we are ahead of the game. Medicine is sometimes a reaction to problem rather than being proactive in prevention. I am not going to make myself nuts but I'm going to approach it like I would reading food labels, if there is a safer choice thats available than thats what I'll purchase. For me, it will end up being moderation, if I can cut back on the parabens and chemicals in the suncreen and lotions, living in FL use daily, makes up for the manicures and pedicures, hair dyes etc. I still want to enjoy.Quality of living. If only we knew what will be known 30 years from now.
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I just checked the site fairy gave. I have tossed all my make-up. Mine came up as high. I will be getting some new make-up, there is no way I will leave the house with none. I will be telling my caughter about it as well. With mine and my mothers breast cancer that puts her into such a high risk area. I feel so bad I've done this to my daughter.
Karen
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Ladies, I have done more research on this and from what I derive it seems to be the Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide which are the culprits along with the parabens. However, I cannot find a brand who puts out a foundation in the "color" I need which doesn't have these ingredients in it. I use "beige" or "medium" and I don't know if it is the particular color which makes them have to use the bad ingredients or what is the deal?? I can't exactly change my skin color!
If any of you have found a brand which makes beige or medium without the above problem ingredients, would you please post what it is?? Thanks for any help you can provide.
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PB22,
Thank you so much for your comments, they made me feel so much better about being on track with moderation. I don't want to go through my new life worrying about every dab of lotion or gram of sugar, but I will definitely try to make smarter choices when there are alternatives. Living in the Pacific NW, I only need sunscreen a few months a year, but it is body lotion I go through by the bucket, so I will try to find a brand that is more agreeable.
Medigal, I have heard Bare Minerals check out pretty well in terms of makeup, probably because they are powder. I have never checked into that line in person, but it might be a good excuse for a trip to Nordstrom (like I need an excuse!). But now that you bring up the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, I don't know how they clear for those culprits. With my skin, every blemish and dark circle shows, so I don't leave the house without makeup either. I would love to hear what some of the rest of you are using.
Karen, don't you for a second feel guilty - you didn't do anything to your daughter, just like your mom didn't do it to you! We all know that we didn't ask for this to happen to us. I have told my daughter (who is 13) that she will have to be checked from an earlier age, and more frequently, but my genetic test came back "inconclusive" so she may or may not have a genetic reason to worry. My sister is getting the test and wants my mother to also. I told my mother not to do anything until we know how my sister's BRCA test comes back. If hers is negative, there is no reason for my mom to test unless she wants to feel guilty about "doing" this to me. I got cancer, I don't want her to feel to blame for it. Please don't do that to yourself. I have been educating my daughter about products, too, to protect her as much as I can, and it sounds like you are doing all that you can for yours too.
Jennifer
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Body Lotion...try organic olive oil or ....less smell..Spectrum organic cold pressed coconut oil...doesn't have any noticeable smell that I can tell not that I would mind a coconut smell.
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I would also love to know what to use on a medium beige and/or classic beige complexion. If I keep forgetting to cover my face when I'm getting my 20 min of sun per day, I made need darker:) I tan pretty easily.
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It is not the estrogen in the makeup. Estrogen is produced because of the parabens and phalates in the makeup. Parabens were banned in the UK many years ago because of that reason. It is a perservative added to makeup. It is also in shampoo, Garnier Fructis shampoo in the green bottle, I believe it says frizz control, is the only one that I have found that does not contain parabens or phalates.
It is also in body lotions. If you google products without those ingredients, you will find many do not contain those additives.
I hope this has been helpful.
Take care.
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