Toxic Ingredients Reference Guide- B

Greetings!

Here is a short reference guide for toxic cosmetic ingredients starting with the letter B, found in common personal care products. Be informed!

Barium sulphide	An opacifier, depilating agent used in depilatories, hair relaxers, cosmetics. May cause skin rashes, chemical burns, never apply to inflamed skin, poisonous if ingested. Toxic effects: Peripheral Nerve and Sensation - flaccid paralysis without anaesthesia (usually neuromuscular blockage), Behavioural - muscle weakness, Lungs, Thorax, or Respiration - dyspnea
Benzyl cinnamate, Balsam Peru	used in face masks, perfumes and cream hair rinses. A common sensitiser, may cause contact dermatitis and may cross-react with many substances including benzoin, benzyl alcohol, essential oils and wood tars.
Benzaldehyde	A solvent, flavouring found in perfume, cologne, hairspray, laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, vaseline lotion, shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, dishwasher detergent, sweets, cordials, ice cream, cigarettes. Narcotic. Sensitiser. Local anaesthetic, central nervous system depressant. Irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, and GI tract, causing nausea and abdominal pain. May cause kidney damage. Do not use with contact lenses.
Benzalkonium Chloride	A preservative, detergent used in shampoos, hair conditioner, mouth washes, eye lotions, antiseptic and detergent in medical use. Highly toxic, primary skin irritant. See Cationic surfactants From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): Material is highly toxic via oral route. Effects of overexposure: Mists can cause irritation
Benzethonium chloride	A preservative, antistatic agent used in cosmetics, feminine hygiene products. Possibly has endocrine toxicity, skin irritation, toxic to aquatic organisms. See Quaternary ammonium compounds. Compound descriptor: Agricultural Chemical, Tumorigenic, Drug, Mutagen, Primary Irritant
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)	Synthetic antioxidants used as preservatives. Known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. Animal studies showed BHA & BHT to cause metabolic stress, depression of growth rate, loss of weight, damage to the liver, baldness & foetal abnormalities. Dr Benjamin Feingold claims BHA & BHT are causes of hyperactivity and behavioural disturbances in children. Whilst difficult to substantiate, observations have shown that avoidance of BHA & BHT has significantly improved children's conditions. BHA & BHT both act as a synthetic oestrogen or xeno-oestrogen. Causes allergic contact dermatitis. Is a skin & eye irritant and slowly corrodes metals. Up to 13% of the BHT is absorbed through the skin
Blue 1	Coal tar dye. Overt Carcinogen
Boric Acid	Also known as acidum boricum. Found in baby powder, bath powder, eye cream, mouthwash, soap. Used widely as an eyewash. Odourless, white crystalline powder. It can be used around windows and doors as a bug repellent or fungus control on citrus fruit. Should not be used in baby cosmetics or baby powder. It is poisonous at doses 1-3g for babies, 5g for children, and 15-20g for adults. Causes gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, reproductive, blood and neurotoxicity, severe poisoning has occurred after ingestion and application to abraded skin.

Popular Name brands with these chemicals include:

Summers Eve Feminine wash – Blue 1

Top Name Hair relaxers (Soft and Beautiful, Soft sheen ect.)- Blue 1, BHA, BHT, Butane,

More to come!