Jul 297 min read

Toxin-Free Moisturizers

Most people apply moisturizers daily. While their ability to help with dry and damaged skin is important, some moisturizers contain toxins that can be absorbed into the skin, ingested if the product is applied to the lips, and even inhaled. Luckily, there are many toxin-free moisturizer options!

Many kinds of endocrine disruptors are in moisturizers, interchangeably referred to as lotions and creams. Parabens, which mimic estrogen, are commonly found in moisturizers as preservatives. In one study, 43 out of 47 lotion products tested contained parabens. These chemicals can increase the risk of developing breast cancer and aid in breast cancer cell replication. They can also alter sperm and testosterone production. When exposed to sunlight, parabens can induce oxidative stress in skin cells, including by triggering harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Parabens can damage DNA and potentially increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and respiratory issues like asthma. They have also been linked to increased time taken to conceive and shorter menstrual cycles. Parabens can enter the body through skin absorption.

Phthalates and BPA have also been detected in creams. This could be due to leaching of those chemicals from plastic containers into the product. These components are often not reported on ingredient labels. Some moisturizers have been found to contain glycol ethers (like PEGs), which have been linked to lower sperm motility, blood issues, asthma, birth defects, and allergies. In the production of these and other chemicals, 1,4-dioxane can also be introduced into creams. 1,4-dioxane has been linked to skin, breast, and liver cancer, liver and kidney harm, and endocrine disruption. "Fragrance" is also a common ingredient in lotions, which you can read about here. Moisturizers are a source of triclosan exposure. Triclosan has been linked to sex and thyroid hormone disruptions, liver cancer, developmental problems, oxidative stress, and higher risk of allergies. Lotion use has also been associated with higher blood PFAS levels, which you can read my article about here. Additionally, many creams include siloxanes, which can damage DNA, mimic estrogen, harm the liver and lungs, and increase the risk of breast cancer.

Lotions can contain heavy metals. Different lotions have been tested and found to contain aluminum, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, arsenic, cadmium, antimony, and lead. These metals can cause cancer, nervous system issues, premature birth, skin irritation, kidney issues, miscarriage, immune system harm, liver problems, miscarriage, low birth weight, and cardiovascular issues, among other concerns.

Microplastics can be found in some moisturizers. The specific health effects of these vary by the kind of plastic being used and what additives it contains, but some of the potential effects include DNA, nervous system, liver, intestine, reproductive, developmental, and cell damage. Microplastics can be introduced directly, as an ingredient, or indirectly, through leaching from plastic containers.

Petroleum-derived ingredients like petrolatum are used in many moisturizing products, including petroleum jelly. These ingredients are considered safe when highly refined. Refinement lowers levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which may be carcinogenic, allergens, and cause reproductive harm. Studies found extracts with PAH content of less than 0.7% to not be mutagenic. In Europe, the starting material to make petrolatum must be non-carcinogenic (so the oil must be refined) and the complete refining history must be known. By European Pharmacopeia standards, PAH levels must be lower than 0.03%. The organization Cosmetics Europe recommends that PAH levels be 0.0000001% or less in food-grade petrolatum. In the US, food-grade petrolatum must pass an FDA test analyzing extracts of the petrolatum for PAHs, which seems to disallow levels of more than about 0.0007% for each PAH. If petrolatum and other petroleum-derived ingredients aren't highly refined, PAHs can pose a health concern, and many products don't follow European or FDA standards for petroleum-derived ingredients. Tested petroleum jelly products have had aromatic hydrocarbon levels between 1.7% and 9%. One cream test found levels from 0.07% to 3.2%. There has also been some research showing the accumulation of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons from petrolatum in rat and human livers, lymph nodes, and fatty tissue, but it's unclear whether this poses a concern for humans. Petroleum jelly and moisturizer products containing petrolatum should be avoided if the petrolatum isn't manufactured in Europe or food-grade by FDA or Cosmetics Europe standards, to avoid issues of PAH contamination. Vaseline's Original Healing Jelly meets the FDA's regulations for food-grade petroleum jelly. It comes in a plastic container, which could introduce microplastics or phthalates. In general, there are safer options, but this is a good choice if you're going to use petroleum jelly.

These are not the only toxins found in moisturizers - there may be others depending on the specific product being used and its ingredients. Some examples include sodium benzoate, DMDM hydantoin, and imidazolidinyl urea. Sodium benzoate has been linked to DNA damage, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and lower fertility. DMDM hydantoin and imidazolidinyl urea, as well as some other chemicals used in lotions, can release formaldehyde, which can cause cancer, liver issues, and DNA damage, among other concerns.

Ideally, a lotion should contain organic ingredients to prevent pesticide contamination and be in a glass or metal container, so that microplastics and plasticizers like phthalates don't leach from plastic containers. There are lots of options that meet this criteria! One is Meow Meow Tweet's Skin Cream, which uses organic ingredients and a glass jar. Alteya Organics also has an organic shea butter in a glass container. Primally Pure makes an Almond + Vanilla Body Butter, which uses all organic ingredients except unrefined beeswax and vanilla absolute (vanilla extract). It also comes in a glass container. I wouldn't recommend Primally Pure's other Body Butters, because they use eucalyptus, orange, and peppermint essential oils, which could potentially naturally contain harmful VOCs or have other concerns. Another option is Dr. Bronner's Unscented Organic Magic Balm, which comes in a metal container and uses organic ingredients as well. Fat and the Moon's All Cream and Aloe Lotion moisturizers use glass jars and all-organic ingredients except beeswax and elderberry extract. Options like these minimize exposure to harmful chemicals often found in lotions!