How much does the skin absorb?
I spoke with one of my new customers at the farmer’s market today about salt bars. She said she had tried one before and it raised her blood pressure. I wondered about that… Really makes you realize how much your skin absorbs – and why it’s so great to use handmade soaps and lotions! 🙂
I found a great article about this at EcoVoice.com. Here are some excerpts:
Our skin, the largest eliminatory organ in the body and our first line of immunity, is permeable to all chemicals. Medical research shows that significant amounts of cosmetic ingredients, including carcinogenic substances, penetrate the skin and end up in the blood stream. Many chemicals in cosmetics don’t cause obvious signs of toxicity on the skin but slowly poison us thorough repeated use.
This makes perfect sense too:
Today, the administration of drugs and medicines is often through transdermal skin patches. This has been shown to be up to 95% more effective than oral medication. However, cosmetic manufacturers are not supposed to claim that the skin absorbs their products. If they did the products would be labelled a drug and governed by much stricter regulations.
This is both good and bad for us. Good because it means our skin can be fed, nourished and treated from the outside with some wonderful substances.
Yes! Like fresh goat’s milk soaps, Jojoba-Shea lotions without petroleum products…
Bad because it means we can absorb commonly used cosmetic ingredients that would never be allowed to be taken orally as a food or drug, through our skin.
Want to see what you’re putting on your skin? Check out the Skin Deep cosmetic database. It has the ingredients that go into most of the personal care products on the market with a toxicity rating for each one. Pretty interesting stuff!
skin absorb, cosmetics, chemicals penetrate skin
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The problem with the Internet is that anyone can write anything and many people just believe it.
There is no proof that skin absorbs chemicals from your personal care or cosmetic products despite what EcoVoice says. Skin resists penetration of almost all chemicals. That is its purpose. That is why doctors have to give shots because the chemicals in the medicine will not penetrate the skin. That is why people who are diabetics can’t take insulin patches, insulin does not penetrate skin!
I would be curious to see this “medical research” that they refer to. I checked the indexed publications at PubMed and was unable to find anything.
What a great comment, Left Brain! I love to hear both sides to the story. I have to believe that the skin must absorb some things – ie. nicotine patches, birth control patches, etc. Was it the customer’s imagination that her blood pressure went up when she used the salt bar, or was it caused by something else? Let’s do some more research & see what we can find!
If the skin is so adept at preventing external environmental substances from entering the body, then transdermal patches certainly cannot work. it is only because the skin absorbs most chemicals that aspirin or alcohol can penetrate the esophagus and stomach walls for immediate effect. Most solvents easily penetrate the skin and enter the blood, as do heavy metals. Try holding mercury in your hands and live to tell about it. The study of how and to what extent the skin absorb and expel minerals and toxins is not well understood. But don’t expect the medical community to help you comprehend it. The only things the orthodox medical community wants you to know is the trademark symbol, the patent number, and the price you must pay for your ignorance.
Left Brain is yet another example of the ignorance running rampant which makes it so hard to right what is wrong.
Instead of opening your eyes & ears you immediately insult & shoot it down with this “conspiracy theory”.
Your skin is capable of topical absorption & it is 24/7.
*Look it up: the head honcho of the FDA for 20 years himself has confessed in an interview on PBS the corruption of the FDA, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/prescription/etc/script.html
So yea, there are a lot of things to look out for.
instead of shooting down someone’s concerns for their & others’ health, you should maybe try to find an understanding.
Horrible, that is horrible and it is beyond me expectation. I don’t know why women don’t have very bad skin after a having so much cosmetics on their body. I am confused to use soaps as well.
Sean: I’m not sure how your article relates to skin absorption. It’s about the FDA and drugs that have been approved in the past that shouldn’t have been. Interesting read, but I didn’t even see a date on the transcript. I have to believe that the skin does absorb at least some of what we put on it. How much remains unclear.
Tom: Try using a handmade natural soap. You don’t have to worry about what is going into your skin. It’s not even close to the same as the shower gels out there which are made up of chemical detergents that dry out your skin. Handmade soaps are extremely moisturizing and excellent for your skin!
Someone queried a statistic on a site I run called anderra. The statistic was that the skin absorbs 60% of what was put on it. We called a charity called Sense About Science (group of researchers) and they said that it was actually 0-100%! It all depends on the size of the molecules as to how far into the skin it is absorbed…so creams that are created to hydrate the skin (that are designed to be absorbed and penetrate skin easily) will be much easier to absorb than a slice of raw carrot!
Hope this helps:)
It upsets me to see how many people believe what they have been told by the completely self regulated cosmetic industry.(F.Y.I. The cosmetic industry is not even under the umbrella of the F.D.A. If a company creates a new ingredient and says it is safe, no outside testing is required.) I recommend checking out “Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry” by Stacy Malkin. Here you can find all the scientific and medical research you are looking for along with the Cosmetic Safety Data Base. The United States doesn’t do product research but other countries do and all this information is availible on line. These are experts and not just peoples opinions. Also the new nano technology being utilized by cosmetic companies should prove to non believers that products penetrate the skin. Nano technology has figrued out how to alter molecules so that they penetrate deeper. This unfortunately also causes all the toxic chemicals to penetrate deeper. This new technology would not have been invented if scientists and chemists did not belive in skin absorbtion. “Everything we put in and on our bodies must be nutritious and safe.” Horst Rechelbacher founder and former owner of Aveda, founder and owner of Intelligent Nutrients. Intelligent Nutrients has recently launched a line of haircare and aromas (skin care to launch in April) that is 100% certified organic by the USDA which means the ingredients are food grade. (yes that means they could be eaten, but that is not their purpose.) So check them out also!
Excellent information, Darrel. I will definitely look for the resource you recommended!!
my teacher and i are having a argument about if i color on my hands if it will be absorbed by my skinand i say no she says yes and when i looked on this page it sayed “there is no proof that skin absorbes cemicals but my teacher keeps on saying that i am whrong and i am mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Katelyn, are you talking about hair color? The comment by Left Brain was the only one says that chemicals do not enter the skin – only because they haven’t seen any evidence that it does. I am going to look up the reference made by Darrel (comment #8) and I recommend that you do the same.
I assume Katelyn is talking about hair color also. In 1979 the F.D.A. forced the industry to reformulate hair color to remove the coal tar dyes because there was conclusive evidenve that it was linked to cancer.(this would not be the case if skin did not absorb chemicles) There is still much debate as to the safety of hair color. There is certainly alot of info out there about the lead acetate in progressive colors. We all now know about the health risks from lead (like in paint, dishware, lipsticks, etc.) and lead acetate is lead oxide that has been treated with acetic acid. There are some hair colors on the market that are considered safer now, (safer being the key word) but hair stylists are still at the highest risk. Even if you disbelieve that chemicles penetrate the skin you are still at great risk of developing an alergy to the hair color if you are not wearing gloves. I paid no attention and have learned this lesson the hard way. The gloves are not comfortable but the alternative is not worth the risk in my book. I can provide you with more detailed research if anyone is interested.
I also wanted to mention an article about nano particles which are designed specificaly knowing that everything penetrates the skin.These particles are capable of penetrating right to your organs. Here is the link:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/nanoparticles.cfm
also here is a petition asking the F.D.A. to regulate nanoparticles as the companies right now don’t even have to disclose their use.
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5500/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=543
More excellent information, Darrel! I’ve been on the fence about continuing to use semi-permanent color my hair, and the more I hear, the more I want to keep it natural!!
The reason patch medication works is because a delivery system has been developed within the patch to delivery the medicine into the skin. If the skin absorbs everything are you saying we are taking in calories when applying vegetable oils to our skin? Why don’t are veins fill up with water (chlorinated water at that) when we swim? Why don’t we just apply cough medicine to our skin and not drink that yucky stuff? Some components of some chemicals are small enough to get past the skin barrier. BUT the majority of chemicals do not reach down through all the layers of skin and into our bloodstream. It takes an advanced delivery system to push drugs through these barriers. Please stop name calling those with different opinions. Think of there opinions and take them into consideration. And please back up your ideas with answers to my questions. That is true discussion. And the reason things get absorbed in our esophagus and stomach is because that is tissue, not skin cells. Different cell, different function.
Thank you for joining our discussion, Lisa. I appreciate your insight into why the patch medications work. If there are delivery systems for medications, why not for cosmetics? Perhaps that is what the nano-particles are for.
Our Skin was ment to be a barrier. We do actually even absorb water to a certain extent. That is why our fingers and toes ‘prune’ if in the water too long. Cosmetic companies have worked very hard to figure our ways to get ingredients to penetrate deeper to get the effects their products claim to have. I wanted to submit an article on nanotechnology. http://www.organicconsumers.org/nanotech.cfm
There are also links to many more articles covering all aspects of nanotechnology. Also keep in mind companies do not have to disclose to us when using nano particles.
Also check out propylene glycol on Cosmetic Safety Database, it is a penetration enhancer, and is probably in your deoderant!
Nanotechnology is one thing. My question goes out to all who claim the “skin absorbs everything put on it”. Yes, certain molecules are small enough to penetrate the skin but most are not. Certain chemicals may irritate the skin making it less able to keep things out. But, the skin is filled with layers of cells and enzymes designed to keep things out in order to protect our inner selves-it’s job is to not absorb things that don’t belong in our bodies. So again, if anyone can explain to me why they think the skin “absorbs everything” I would love to understand if they believe soap gets absorbed and is then in our blood or if lotion gets absorbed and is then in our blood-anything you can put on your skin-is it then directly taken into our blood and coursing through our veins? I suppose that is where I don’t understand this topic-how is the skin absorbing everything right into our blood stream? Thanks so much, Lisa
And yes, you are right, Darrel. Propylene glycol is the first ingredient in my Toms of Maine natural deodorant!
Environmental Working Group (EWG) detected 16 chemicals from 4 chemical families – phthalates, triclosan, parabens, and musks – in blood and urine samples from 20 teen girls aged 14-19. This study was conducted to see how many chemicals from cosmetics have already been absorbed by teenage girls. It is about 10 pages long and very detailed. http://www.ewg.org/reports/teens
Wow! I’m glad to hear someone has done a study on this. I have to admit, Darrel, I bought the book you recommended, but haven’t taken the time to really read it yet. I hope to soon though! Thanks again for all your helpful information!
The
presence of intact parabens in tumor tissue shows that these chemicals
can not only be absorbed through the skin but can also persist and
accumulate in breast cancer tissue in their original form, without
being degraded. (when parabens are eaten they are degraded and lose
some of their constituents, making them less estrogen-like). http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/breastcancer090604.cfm
I had heard that there was only one study done on the presence of parabens in breast cancer patients, and that the results were inconclusive since the study did not look at whether parabens caused the tumors. The link comes from the idea that parabens have weak estrogen-like properties, and this type of activity may lead to breast cancer. There has been widespread information on this subject in the natural health care arena, and many are afraid to use paraben products now. I believe if there are alternatives to their use (and there are), then it is probably be safer to use those alternatives. That’s why I have started using an all-natural preservative in my products, which are currently being challenge tested in a lab for their effectiveness. I will be anxious to hear the results!
Please remember the Environmental Working Group is an environmental “green” research group with funding comeing in part from green organziations. So they are not an unbiased organization doing unbiased research. The paraben study is hugely debated by scientist in all areas because there have been very few studies to back up the cancer link so it is not a widely accepted concept. True studies must take many variables into account. As I mentioned in other posts I believe the skin can absorb SOME chemicals or irriated skin may be more likely to absorb more chemicals. And I believe in using as natural as possible products for the simple fact that if they have something natural that works just as well as something synthetic why not use the natural. That is not to say that all things natural are guarateed healthy. Some natural substances are actually harmful and toxic or could be when used incorrectly, but there are some “natural” advocates who seem to think that anything synthetic is bad. Anyway, I am still looking for someone to explain to me that if they think the skin absorbs everything into the blood are they saying then that EVERYTHING that goes on our skin gets into our blood-again, things like lotion for example. When I put lotion on my skin, is the lotion being absorbed by my skin? All of it? Are they saying that lotion is in my blood? If there is no lotion mixed in with my blood, what is stopping the lotion from getting absorbed but not the harmful chemicals? Unfortunately, if this can’t be answered with factual ideas, then I can’t believe that the skin absorbs everything and I must believe what I’ve learned that the skin is a barrier organ whose function is to protect everything inside by not allowing absorbtion of most things. If I am being too literal then I hope someone will clarify for me. Do they mean that it is only being absorbed into the layers of skin cells? If so, how would it then be getting into my blood and effecting me adversly? Thanks to everyone participating in this discussion even if opinions differ.
I don’t know where the idea of everything we put on our skin going into the blood stream came from? Certainly there have been chemicals found in peoples blood stream but water would only penetrate into the layers of the skin. Ingredients would penetrate differenty depending on the size of the molecule and also which ingredients they are combined with.Lotion would not penetrate into your blood stream, some of the chemicals in the lotion might. I have to stress again that cosmetic companies have spent billions of dollars figuring out how to make products penetrate deeper to guarentee the results they claim. I believe when dealing with a self regulated industry it is important to have a group like Environmental Working Group chalenging the companies manufacturing the products. I can’t believe a company can create a new chemical, tell us it is safe and release it on the market with no third party testing. I don’t believe that the company manufacturing the product and selling it for profit could be unbiased. Skin Deep and the Cosmetics Safety Database were started by women that ended up with health problems connected to cosmetic ingredients. The information is compiled from studies gathered all over the world. Each ingredient shows all of the studies done and gives references. (Including studies from the Cosmetics Review Board, a self regulated board controled by the industry, and the F.D.A)see example of methylparaben- http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=703937 So I feel it shows fairly all the information out there available. Basicly they are asking that if there is a question of safety about an ingredient that it is re-evaluated and tested for health and safety. My mother always said better safe than sorry and I would have to agree.
Not one cosmetic product has to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration before hitting the market.
The European Union has banned more than 1,100 chemicals from cosmetics. The United States has banned just nine.
Only 11 percent of chemicals used in cosmetics in the United States have been assessed for health and safety-leaving a staggering 89 percent with unknown or undisclosed effects.
Sorry to repeat myself but I want to encourage you to read ‘Not Just a Pretty Face: the Ugly Side of the Cosmetic Industry’ by Stacy Malkin.
One last thought, U.S. Congress voted to ban phthalates from toys, but they are still legal to use in personal care products.
You are right about nanotechnology. I can take chemicals further into the body. But Nanotechnology is, again, a very specific delivery system. It is trying to delivery chemicals past the skin barrier. Just like the patch medications are very special delivery systems. Without the delivery system, the skin is trying to keep things out. My question about absorbing into the blood comes from reading the cites promoting “natural” products or through various posts on discussion boards. Many, not all, people seem to believe that everything gets absorbed past the skin into the blood. After all, if it isn’t getting past the layers and into the blood, how would it be transported around our bodies doing harm? If it only got absorbed into our skin layers it’s not traveling beyond the skin to be toxic in the rests of our bodies. The thought that skin absorbs to the blood is quoted by Owen in the very article you posted:
says Owen. “Twenty years ago, we did not have the technology to monitor blood parts per million. Now, we can monitor parts per billion. Frankly, everything goes everywhere. When you wash your hair or brush your teeth, you are putting agents into the bloodstream. So I think the issue is not whether it goes into the system, but does it go into the bloodstream in any significant amounts?”
There’s no point trying to turn back the clock, he says. “We live in a chemical soup, quite frankly. I think we always have, whether you are smearing bear grease on your skin or one of our refined products.”
That’s why my lotion question-I’d like to know from those who feel the skin absorbs everything. I agree with you that certain chemicals can penetrate but definately not all but that’s the controversy here. Some believe “some” some believe “all”. Thanks for your info.
Any supporter of “chemicals penetrate our skin” would like to explain to me why i haven’t died from iodine poisoning when i swim for hours day after day week after week in the sea?
Honest question expecting honest answer please.
On that note, how about explaining tattoos? Ink is injected past the first layer of skin into the second layer of skin and stays there forever. If the skin absorbs everything (and to some, right into the blood) why does my tattoo never get absorbed out of my skin cells? If you think it does get absorbed however, do you think that if I took my blood right after getting a tattoo there would be ink in my blood? Thanks to anyone with an answer.
We were talking about chemicals designed by cosmetic companies to penetrate. Tattoo ink was designed to stay just where it was put. I don’t know why you would die from iodine in sea water. Iodine in sea water is .06PPM (parts per Million) and we also know water is not a penetration enhancer as it only penetrates layers of the skin. Iodine is also necessary for good health. That is why sea water is evaporated for salt that contains iodine, we eat sea vegetables for iodine, people used to use iodine on cuts and as an antiseptic. It is even added to commercial salt because our bodies need it. (I chose to only use sea salt with natural occuring iodine.) Here is an article from the Department of Health and Human Services on iodine. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp158-c1-b.pdf
They even state it can be absorbed through the skin. Radio active iodine can kill you but you would probably not be exposed unless you work in a factory that uses it. The only other way you could die from it would be to consume massive amounts of iodized salt which happens rarely.
That last article I posted was specifically about nano technology, particles designed to penetrate. Other chemicals can penetrate to different levels. The problelm is our bodies know they do not belong inside us so our natural elimination processes kick in. Our bodies would push them into our blood, urine, sweet glands, lymph nodes, or an eliminatory organ to rid us of them. That is why they get moved around our bodies. For example the deodorant I apply with propylene glycol under my arm is closest to my lymph nodes, so that would be where my body would send it for elimination. That is why we have been aware of not using aluminum in deodorants.
Lisa pointed out that not all natural ingredients are safe either. I agree and that is another reason I feel that ALL ingredients in our products need to be tested for safety by a third party, not the company that has designed and is selling them.
Thank you for answering these questions, Darrel – and with data to back up your claims!
Hi Darrel. When you say that our bodies push chemicals into our blood . . . for an eliminatory organ to rid us of them, do you mean all chemicals applied or only those that are small enough in size to pass through all the layers of our skin into our blood? To me that is the confusion when people state the “skin absorbs” or “everything penetrates”. If the molecule size is small enough to get past all the skin layers into our blood then I would agree with your statement. But, if the molecules cannot pass through our skin layers or are prevented from getting though by the the skin’s natural defenses, then there would be no way they would be sent to any organ for elimination because they cannot get in to begin with. See, I think this is still the basis of the “absorption” argument. We seem to agree on the fact that certain chemicals or those formulated with a penetration enhancer/delivery system can get through. But it’s the person who believes that everything we put on our skin gets into our bloodstream so only healthy, natural ingredients are acceptable for our bodies. Those are the people I, and I think Alex, would like to hear more from so they can explain their beliefs. Not that your comments are not appreciated-they are very good additions to the topic. Many, mostly in the natural fields, believe the skin absorbs EVERYTHING directly into the blood and I could find links to numerous websites stating this as fact and I would just love for someone from that mindset to offer their opinions. Regarding the tattoo ink, it really is like the soap and lotion question to those who think the skin absorbs everything right down to the blood. I understand how ink remains intact in the skin but I would like to hear if there is a rebuttal by the “absorbs everything” group.
Lisa, could you point us to someone who believes the skin “absorbs everything”? One of the websites you refer to would be great. I didn’t know anyone actually believed that we absorb everything. There is a 60% number that keeps floating around, but I haven’t seen 100%. I’ve even tried to find the source of the 60% study that people keep quoting, and haven’t found it yet. If anyone knows where that is, please post!
EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment.
Lipstick Chemicals Declared Toxic by Canadian Gov’t
Toxin Found in a Host of Personal Care and Other Household Products
D4 and D5 toxins are found in such everyday items as body lotions, hair-care products, soaps, baby bottle nipples, cookware and home cleaning products. Both chemicals are linked to uterine tumors and other types of damage to the female reproductive system in animals. Effects in people have not been studied, despite the likelihood of near universal exposure. According to an analysis of Environmental Working Group’s own database of ingredients in over 41,000 personal care products, D4 and D5 are in more than 1 of every 7 products.
http://www.ewg.org/node/27563
Have you ever used garlic as a natural remedy? You can crush a clove of garlic and put it under your foot and within a short time smell it coming through your pores and even taste it.
• “The EPA has raised skin absorption of chlorine to its top 10 carcinogen watch list.” The Washington
Post – June 1994•
Up to 2/3 of the harmful effects of chlorine are due to inhalation and skin absorption while showering.”
The American Journal Of Public Health
Some forms of iodine can enter your body when
placed on the skin. Department of Health and Human Services
Skin contact could be a very important route of phthalate intake from personal care products such as soap. In the CDC study of phthalates, the breakdown product of diethyl phthalate (DEP) was detected in the highest level in the tested population. DEP is used in a number of scented products such as soaps, lotions and perfumes. DEP is also found in plastic products like toothbrushes, toys and food packaging.
Absorption of sunscreens across human skin http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:35896
In-Vitro Cadaver Skin Percutaneous Absorption Model: Across Donor Variability; A
retrospective analysis
http://www.aapsj.org/abstracts/AM_2007/AAPS2007-003699.PDF
Cutaneous Absorbtion (unfortunatly like most medical publications access to the whole article costs)
http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pdf_extract/13/1/27
I don’t think you will find any conclusive evidence of percentages of chemicals or ingredients absorbed because there has not been enough research done. Just the fact that chemicals have been found in urine, blood, organs and tumors or that most countries have banned thousands of ingredients currently in use in the US says to me more testing is required.
25 MAR 2008 A new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveals that 97% of Americans are contaminated with a widely-used sunscreen ingredient called oxybenzone that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. A companion study published just one day earlier revealed that this chemical is linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. Oxybenzone is also a penetration enhancer, a chemical that helps other chemicals penetrate the skin.
Even if your skin only absorbs this one chemical from your sunscreen is this acceptable?
Look out! Darrel is on a roll! I did have a customer ask about a natural sunscreen product last week. There are only a few oils and butters with naturally occuring SPFs, but as a small formulator, I cannot claim any of my products have SPF since sunscreen is classified as a pharmaceutical, not a cosmetic.
Amy, in my post no. 26 you will see a quote from a site Darrel posted wherein the author claims all things enter the blood. The following two from sellers of personal products on the web indicate absorption to the blood, http://www.ritualsskincare.com/natural_skin_moisturizers.html and http://www.lipstickalley.com/blogs/h-a-r-d-n-o-x/harmful-ingredients-commercial-products-704. Even the article sited at the top of this topic indicates the skin is permeable to all chemicals. If you read the rest of the article it does talk about specific synthetic products but the implication is that our skin absorbs all things directly into our bodies causing harm unless they are natural products. The articles Darrel sites in his last posts make no assumptions that the skin is like a sponge absorbing everything. They are more about research and speak to the point that the skin can absorb SOME chemicals. Unfortunately, the misinformation propagated on the internet is dizzying and I don’t think many are doing their own research-I think they are reading this misinformation and taking it as fact because it is repeated over and over again. The articles citing true research take much more work to find. Here is one more site but it does a good job of simply talking about the many myths out there: http://www.ohohorganic.com/blog/2008/07/does-our-skin-absorb-personal-care.html
PS-the one article from lipstickalley does say that all things put on the body like soap, cream, shampoo . . . are absorbed into the skin directly into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body.
Thanks for the links, Lisa! Just goes to show there are lots of varying OPINIONS out there floating around. I liked the post by Oh, Oh Organic – she has some very logical insight. I think it boils down to this: Yes, there are some chemicals that can penetrate the skin into the bloodstream. Several of the articles posted here show scientific research that supports this. Obviously, not all chemicals can – like the lipstickalley article and the Ritual Skin Care people are trying to make you believe. They are oversimplifying in an attempt to sell their natural products. I don’t think it’s necessary to scare people into using natural products; however, if you have the opportunity to use natural products, why wouldn’t you?
As part of a study of pollutant loads in the human body sponsored by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, samples of Bill Moyers’ blood and urine were analyzed. Eighty-four distinct chemicals were found.
http://www.pbs.org/tradesecrets/problem/bodyburden.html
The “precautionary principle” – adopted by the European Union in 1992 as the basis for regulation of toxic chemicals –- holds that in the face of scientific uncertainty, government should err on the side of protecting public health and safety. In other words, if scientific evidence indicates there is a good chance that a chemical may pose a risk of irreversible harm, regulators should not wait for absolute proof before acting.
The quote in Lisa’s post 26 was from an article specifically about nano technology. It is not saying all chemicals penetrate to the blood, it is talking about nano chemicals.
I am less concerned about the percentages being absorbed than the fact that we are using products with chemicals that are being absorbed and have not been tested for health and safety. (or have been tested and banned in several other countries.)
Laboratory tests reveal adolescent girls across America are contaminated with chemicals commonly used in cosmetics and body care products. Environmental Working Group (EWG) detected 16 chemicals from 4 chemical families – phthalates, triclosan, parabens, and musks – in blood and urine samples from 20 teen girls aged 14-19. Studies link these chemicals to potential health effects including cancer and hormone disruption. These tests feature first-ever exposure data for parabens in teens, and indicate that young women are widely exposed to this common class of cosmetic preservatives, with 2 parabens, methylparaben and propylparaben, detected in every single girl tested.
http://www.ewg.org/book/export/html/26953
I would encourage you again to look up ingredients of products you are using here: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
It includes research from Government, industry, academic studies and classifications.
Hi again. I re-read the article and, although the article discusses the concerns of whether or not nanotechnology may bring harmful chemicals into the skin, I still seem to feel Dr. Owen is talking about the fact that all things absorb but that is just my interpretation of it. I also read his website regarding his product Agera RX and it is supposed to bring beneficial peptides deeper into the skin yet there is no mention of how far his ingredients will penetrate. So, if in the article referenced above he is talking about only nanotechnology bringing all chemicals into the bloodstream that would imply that his own product using nanotechnology does so as well. Anyway, Darrel is correct. Be aware of what you are using, better safe then sorry and educate yourself rather that just take for fact what is floating around on the internet. As laypeople and not cosmetic chemists, scientists or doctors most of us don’t know what is going to be stopped by the skin or can have a harmful, long term effect through its ability to break through the skin barrier but don’t fall for the “natural” hype, either.
When I put shampoo on my head I can taste in within a matter of seconds. No doubt that your skin absorbs chemicals
I’m sorry but I find this confusing. You seem to be saying that you put shampoo on your head and somehow the shampoo as a whole, not just SOME of the chemicals in it, make it to your mouth? IF the skin were absorbing the shampoo it would absorb into the bloodstream and travel throughout your body. Do you taste shampoo if you rub it on your arm? How about hair spray or styling gel or hair color-do you taste them as well? Have you ever experimented with other things that don’t necessarily belong on your head such as vinegar (like a vinegar rinse) or vegetable oil like in a hot oil treatment?
I’m wondering if Rebecca has a very sensitive olfactory response that causes her to have the sensation of tasting the shampoo that she is smelling.
I read in the Reader’s digest that if you were stranded at sea on a life raft without any source of water, you could still survive. All you would have to do is saturate your skin with the sea water. If I got this right, salt water would be absorbed through your skin and thus blood stream. Apparently, there would be no adverse affects–not like drinking salt water. How long in the the salt water. I don’t know. Could you comment on this?
Thank You, Lester
I think Amy might have a reasonable idea what is happening to Rebecca and the shampoo. Regarding the sea water, if Reader’s Digest knows about surving at sea by rubbing the skin with sea water, scientist, sailors, fisherman and the general public would know about this and no one would ever die from lack of water at sea again. I don’t quite think this could be true.
If you soak your hand in a glass of HIV tainted blood, you will not become infected (unless you have an abrasion). If you pour a vial of pure HIV (or any virus) on your skin, you will not become infected. The skin will not absorb even something so nano micro as a virus (which is why heterosexual men do not contract AIDS, unless there is an abrasion someplace). My point is that unless there is a designed delivery system, enginered to deliver a specific molecule, such as a medicinal patch, nothing gets past your outer skin.
Interesting information, Robert! What is your source?
I have truly enjoyed this forum. I love research and want to be challenged with my beliefs about this topic. I am an Aesthetician and consider myself savvy about ingredients. I don’t know everything of course, but am definitely for the cleanest option. One thing that I wanted to mention, that hasn’t been mentioned. If it comes from a MD or Dermatologist it’s either going to penetrate to the dermis or get close to there. The applications that you can get from your spa and at the store are not going that deep. That’s just my side note for the people that think everything they buy works like the label claims. They don’t. It depends on who you’re getting it from AND it’s chemical makeup. Labels that say “improves collagen”, does not. Don’t buy that product for that reason. Collagen is way to big for the skin to absorb. What is really happening is it is being a filler for your fine lines and creating (for that day. You’ll have to do it tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, etc.), a look of less deep lines. Baby boomers are such targets unfortunately.