Your Face Wash is loaded with synthetic plastic balls. Most commercial face washes such Exfoliating Foaming Facial Cleansers are actually made out of plastic: tiny particles of polyethylene that scrub the dirt from your face. These synthetic plastic balls are highly toxic.
According to a report in the International Journal of Toxicology by the cosmetic industry’s own Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) committee, substances found in different PEG compounds include ethylene oxide; 1,4-dioxane; polycyclic aromatic compounds; and heavy metals such as lead, iron, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, and arsenic. PEG compounds also appear to be highly toxic to your skin and your health overall. These compounds often contain small amounts of ethylene oxide. According to the National Toxicology Program’s Eighth Annual Report on Carcinogens, ethylene oxide can cause breast cancer, leukemia and brain cancer.
PEGs may also contain 1,4-dioxane. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies 1,4-dioxane as a possible human carcinogen. The California Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a developmental toxicant based on evidence that it may interfere with human development. In experimental studies, the contaminant increased incidence of liver and lung tumors and carcinomas of the gallbladder. As a promoter in a two-stage skin cancer study, the compound caused increased incidences of skin tumors.
Additionally, these tiny bits of plastic can slip through water treatment systems after they are washed down drains. As a result, the microbeads often end up in local streams, rivers and larger bodies of water, according to a statement.In fact, a single tube of Johnson & Johnson’s Clean & Clear facial scrub can contain up to 330,000 plastic beads. The plastic particles can leach harmful chemicals into the water. At the same time, they can absorb toxic pollutants like PCBs, heavy metals, and oil—and when the contaminated beads are swallowed by fish and other marine creatures, they can introduce those chemicals into our food supply.
DIY Homemade Face Wash
- 1/2 cup liquid castile soap (where to buy)
- ⅓ cup raw honey
- 3 tablespoons purified water
- 2 tablespoons jojoba oil (where to buy)
- soap dispenser
- 5 drops of Lavender oil
- In a soap dispenser, add the water first then the liquid castile soap, honey, jojoba oil and lavender oil.
- Mix the ingredients together until the honey is fully dissolved.
- Wet your face with water.
- Massage a small amount of homemade face wash on your face. Rinse it off.
References:
Black, R.E., et al. “Occurrence of 1,4-dioxane in cosmetic raw materials and finished cosmetic products.” J AOAC Int 2001;84(3):666-670.
Dao, T.L. “The role of ovarian hormones in initiating the induction of mammary cancer in rats by polynuclear hydrocarbons.” Cancer Research, 1962; 22: 973.
