I have just watched a very interesting documentary presented by Sarah Beeny on Channel 4 called Beauty Addicts: How Toxic Are You? The programme looked at the potential dangers of common household cleaning products and cosmetics – and the possible side-effects if they ended up in our bloodstream. This is a subject I’ve been very interested in for many years now and one which I have extensively researched alongside some of the world’s leading experts, particularly on the subject of skin absorption. So, here are a few of my thoughts – particularly on the myth that ingredients in beauty products can enter the bloodstream through our skin and cause harm.
As you may know from previous postings, last year I hosted a press forum alongside Jonathan Hadgraft (Professor of Biophysical Chemistry at the University of London’s School of Pharmacy) who shared his research into dermal absorption of the past 20 years. His specialist area is drug delivery into the skin. One of the beauty journalists present asked about the common misconception that 60% of what we put on the skin is absorbed into the bloodstream. Professor Hadgraft said that in his many years of specialist research the only formulation that he has seen being absorbed into the deeper levels of the skin was hydrocortisone cream, and even though this cream is specifically formulated to penetrate the skin (unlike skincare or make-up) only 1-2% of the hydrocortisone is actually absorbed. Professor Hadgraft went on to say that the 60% claim is totally unfounded and has become a modern beauty myth. I feel it’s important to share this world-class scientific research with you, to help allay fears about ingredients being absorbed by the skin.
Actually, far more worrying was something else highlighted in this programme, which is the level of potentially dangerous chemicals we breathe in through our lungs – whether inhaling noxious exhaust fumes while cycling to work or breathing in vapour from harsh household cleaners. Watching this show made me think about sharing some of our team’s lengthy research on my blog, which I hope will help to provide a more balanced view on some of the ingredients recently highlighted in the media.
Propylene Glycol is harmful to our health?
This is another common beauty myth shrouded in scaremonger stories of no substance. There are concerns over the use of propylene glycol in beauty products because it is not so natural and is also used in antifreeze (so is water, by the way). However, propylene glycol is actually a food grade ingredient that has been used in skincare for a number of years, mostly for its humectant properties. It’s also to be found in many medicines such as ‘flu remedies and children’s cough syrups. I’m not sure I’d want my children swallowing large amounts of propylene glycol, but it is safe to use in topical skincare which is why I’m happy to use it in the very small quantities used in some formulations on my own skin.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate will strip the skin?
This synthetic detergent and others such as laureth sulphates are probably the most common foaming or cleansing ingredients used in toiletries such as shampoos, shower gels and body washes in the western world today. There are concerns that this ingredient may strip the oil on your face and it can be irritating to sensitive skin. However, sodium lauryl sulphate is derived from plant oils such as coconut oil and palm kernel oil and can be made milder by introducing a petrochemical element and many companies use this milder version. For Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare formulations though, such as Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash (UK) , (USA) we have instead pioneered the use of decyl glucoside which is wholly plant-derived, being made from corn syrup and coconut oil which means our products are suitable for even the most sensitive skin. So, although sodium lauryl sulphate is not toxic, I’m very happy that we use a gentler alternative – so gentle in fact that I used our Body Wash in my babies’ baths from the moment they were born!
Parabens in skincare are dangerous?
There are concerns that the group of preservatives called parabens may disturb hormones and that they have been found in breast cancer tissue, so linking them to breast cancer. If this is the case (and the jury is very much still out on this), the likely culprits are far more obvious sources such as household cleaners and pesticide residues on conventionally-grown fruit and vegetables. It’s hard to know for sure though, as parabens occur naturally in fruit (they’re the reason apples stay fresher for longer than strawberries, for example). The good news is that much of the so-called evidence linking parabens deodorants to breast cancer was flawed (deodorants don’t tend to contain parabens in any case as they tend to be preserved with alcohol). If there is a link between parabens and breast cancer, it is much more likely to come from food or environmental sources.
In the beauty world, the safety of parabens has recently been extensively re-assessed and their use found to be safe and sound. This is an area of huge interest to us (and obviously to me personally too) and one which we spend a great deal of time and effort researching. I thought it was worth sharing some of these independent research findings with you, as media scare-mongering to create high ratings for a TV show or to sell newspapers with panic headlines is not necessarily in our best interests. Don’t forget, our Customer Care team (UK) , (USA) is happy to help with concerns of this kind and we’ll always endeavour to offer a balanced view with the very best information we have available.
susan said...
i am interested in purchasing a skin care range chemical free natural products such as make-up.
thanx for some great info
warm regards
December 17th, 2011 at 12:47 pm |
Andrea said...
Hi Andrea, many thanks for your question. Medicinal products and cosmetic products can often feel the same when applied to the skin but they actually act in very different ways once applied., Medicinal products such as HRT patches or gels are (as you highlighted) formulated to deliver a specific quantity (dose) of the active to the bloodstream. These formulations include special penetration enhancers, such as nitro glycerine, to help carry the actives through the skin. Even with these unique formulations, the patch or gel has to be ‘loaded’ with very much higher levels of the active drug compounds for the very small percentage required per dose. Much more of the drug compound is retained within the product than is actually delivered. By contrast, cosmetic products are only formulated to be active on the surface or the upper levels of the skin only.
February 11th, 2009 at 5:15 pm |
Andrea said...
Thanks for your question Ann. To explain why we use parabens in some of our products we asked Steve Simmonds, our Technical Manager, to explain.
“Customer safety is of paramount importance to us and we are confident that the parabens that we use are safe and will not adversely affect human health at the levels that we use them. Having conducted extensive research over the last year since this original Blog entry, the jury is no longer out on this.
Skincare products are absorbed into the uppermost levels of the epidermis only, where they are designed to improve the look and feel of the skin. They do not penetrate below the epidermis to the stratum corneum or dermis and do not end up in the bloodstream.
The parabens that we use in our products have all been found in nature, for instance in fruit and vegetables. When adding preservatives to our products we treat them as necessary additives and carefully assess the type and the level we use. This means that we use the minimum quantity of the best preservative for the product to ensure that the product is safe for its intended use. Some other companies don’t use parabens but they may use other preservatives that we have not found give the best results for us. If you prefer to use products without parabens, please be rest assured that you can still use most of the products within our range. In fact only 6 of our products do have formulations which contain this type of preservative. Our customer care team would be happy to advise you on the products you can use, which include our key Cleanse & Polish, Instant Boost Skin Tonic, Skin Repair and Superskin Moisturisers.
If you would like to find out more about parabens please see our online preservative fact sheet (http://uk.lizearle.com/index_2.php?userpage=factsheetpreserve). You may also be interested in Liz’s new book, Skin Secrets, due to be published next month which contains more of the latest, leading, independent research on this and many other important skincare issues. Much of this has been expanded upon since this Blog was originally written last year.”
February 11th, 2009 at 5:11 pm |
andrea solomon said...
I have been reading the various postings about parabens etc on your website, and am concerned that I find it difficult to accept some of the ideas you give as fact. You state that only 2% of active ingredients enter the bloodstream when applied topically, but I use a HRT gel which presumably delivers far more than 2%? Surely if drugs are given topically, this must be an efficient method of delivery to the bloodstream?
February 8th, 2009 at 2:46 pm |
Ann Thantrey said...
Have read the comments but still feel reluctant to use products containing parabens and petrochemicals, like you said the jury is still out on the effects of parabens. The articles that I have read concerning the amount of parabens found in breast tissue suggested that the parabens had not come from food sources but more likely from products that had been applied topically.I too used to use your skin care rangeand loved your products but have changed to another company until this whole issue has been clarified. May I inquire why you do not use other substitutes to preserve your products when there are other things available, other companies seem to have managed to produce really good products without the use of parabens etc.???
January 24th, 2009 at 2:44 pm |
Andrea said...
Hi Juls,
Your search will have directed you to our website as we use the word ‘paraben’ within the text on some of our pages – including our Preservative Factsheet. This contains all the latest scientific research, along with information from leading independent dermatologist Professor Michael Cork and Dene Godfrey, a technical specialist with 25 years experience in the field of preservatives, who both clarify the situation regarding parabens and other preservatives and also dispel some of the myths surrounding these.
All creams (emulsions of water and oil) should have a preservative or preservatives added to kill bacteria and other microbes that can be introduced into the product by the user. This will prolong the life of the product and protect the user from possible infection. Different types of preservatives are effective in different types of formulation.
The natural preservative qualities of all parabens were originally discovered in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables – mainly fruits such as raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. But parabens have been detected in other fruits and vegetable for example apples and carrots and even in potato peelings! Whilst paraben preservatives for use in the cosmetic industry are created synthetically (it would be too expensive to extract the small amounts found in foodstuffs and would destroy the foodstuff in the process) the compounds are nature identical. This means that the paraben molecules which are synthesized and used as preservatives are absolutely identical on every level – molecular, structural and biochemical – to those found in fruits and other plants.
Parabens are used as preservatives in some of our products, but only in minute quantities. The only products that include this preservative system are Daily Eye Repair, Smoothing Line Serum, Eyebright, Brightening Treatment, Intensive Nourishing Treatment and Sensitive Shave Cream. Parabens have been selected as part of the essential preserving system of these products, as they have been deemed the best preservative for this type of formulation.
You may also be interested to read Liz’s archived blog entry from January 2008 regarding ‘Truth in Beauty’.
January 13th, 2009 at 5:17 pm |
juls said...
Hi,
I just did a search for ‘paraben-free’ cosmetics and was directed to Liz Earle. I recently purchased a Liz Earle face mask which contained a number of parabens!
January 13th, 2009 at 9:00 am |
Nimmi said...
Glad to read your comments on the blog.Keep up the good work Liz. The company is great, the products are natural and pure and the wonderful results are seen by using your skincare range. It is the best I have ever come across.
October 24th, 2007 at 2:34 pm |
Linda said...
I watched the first programme about make up and after a few minutes decided that it was scaremongering as Channel 4 do like to do.I found it was very one sided although the ingredients of beauty products, household cleaners and washing products do worry me. As I have only used Liz Earle products on my face and body since being introduced to them in June this year I was completely reassured by Liz’s blog. My two daughters who are in their twenties are now avid fans of Liz Earle products as well as myself. While I do my utmost to recycle as much as I can (I can talk for hours about home made compost!)use products that biodegrade more quickly wherever possible for household cleaning and eat as much fresh and raw food as possible, I do think you have to keep a balanced view of things,and Liz’s blog certainly did that.
October 20th, 2007 at 12:02 pm |
angela bonner said...
i was so calmed by reading the comments from liz on the subject of parabens etc. I have worried about these issues for a long time and even got into buying from companies claiming to be the “best & most natural” at great expense & i have to admit also worried about some of liz earle products when i read the listings however when rationale has returned & truly your products always make me feel and look much better I came to realise the power of one sides biased reporting and advertising based on preying on peoples fears
October 18th, 2007 at 7:44 pm |
Liz Earle said...
Thanks so much for all your comments. In view of these, I will post another Blog right after the next programme. I’m really horrified by the unnecessary panic these kind of programmes cause. Yes, we do need to be concerned about much of what we eat and breathe, but, in general, not so much about what we put on our skins. The research linking parabens in deodorants to breast cancer tissue, for example, was highly flawed – but this has not been properly highlighted by a media who prefer sensationalist headlines to the real truth about beauty.
October 18th, 2007 at 7:17 pm |
Helen said...
I didn’t watch the programme as i have seen similar tv like this before and have found them to be quite one sided and think that some people will have experienced genuine fear that they could have harmed themselves through their quest for better skin. If only they new about Liz Earle skincare. Better stock up on all my favourite products before they find out about your fab skincare as i forsee a mad rush when they do.
October 18th, 2007 at 9:25 am |
Patricia said...
I never actually watched the program, but have listened to the panic of many of my female friends who did, which passed on the worry to me,i am obviously concerned about what products i use on my skin, hence i have been using liz earle for many years now,and highly recomend the products, so i thank Liz for the blog and putting my mind at rest with simple common sense, i have now printed copies to give to my worried friends,and i think chanel 4 should be more responsable, But then it is chanel 4, that why i didn’t watch it,
October 17th, 2007 at 12:30 pm |
Diane Clarke said...
I too watched sarah beeney’s progamme with mounting horror. However I knew in the back of my mind that I could count on Liz and her colleagues to to do the research and to care about the ingredients in the Liz Earle ranges. I have the utmost confidence in all the products.
October 17th, 2007 at 11:55 am |
Charis Milham said...
Thank-you for putting things into perspective. i enjoyed the programme, I thought it was interesting, albeit a bit one-sided. Most of us by using Liz Earle products have probably already thought about some of this issues, however the science and long names are confusing…well to me certainly! PLease can we have a similar blog after the next programme as that is likely to be more scary as it involves children’s products! thank-you.
October 17th, 2007 at 11:47 am |
Heidi Barnett said...
Dear Liz and team, I am a trained beauty therapist and aromatherapist and buy from you and QVC. I used to use your products on my clients when i worked, along with a couple of other top aromatherapy brands (yet more expensive). Clients used to worry about ingredients so I was happy to provide a ‘healthy’ service and using the products on my skin too, knew they were safe. Although i myself (and my Mother), watched the programme you refer to and did start to worry a little over parabens etc. It truly was scare mongering, yet the two girls used as ‘Guinea pigs’ i would not suggest were average beauty product users. Eating toothpaste?! Yes, the jury is still out on some additives and some brands are a more ‘natural’ than others, but thank God for your blog! It makes alot of things clear to all of us,well done to you and your team. Keep up the good work with your amazing products,our family are avid fans! x
October 16th, 2007 at 7:11 pm |
Linda A Jones said...
I agree wholeheartedly with Liz. I am a qualified Beauty & Holistic Therapist & Aromatherapist, & have worked with some of the most famous salon skincare ranges in the business. Most companies use some form of chemicals in their ranges, even if its just as a preservative. Just because it says its TOTALLY natural, doesn’t mean its safe, or works for that matter. There are a number of essential oils for example, that are dangerous, photo-toxic etc if used incorrectly. But, when used by a qualified aromatherapist, they can have wonderful effects.
These programmes should carry a warning stating that it is an opinion, not the whole fact.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:00 pm |
Carole Stock said...
Thanks for providing some sensible information – I was horrified to find parabens in almost all my creams after watching this programme, but feel you have put things into perspective. Will definitely be putting your products on my Christmas list though!
October 15th, 2007 at 10:55 am |
A J WADDELL said...
DEAR LIZ,
THANK GOODNESS FOR YOUR RATIONAL ADVICE & COMMENTS ON THIS PROGRAMME. TO BE HONEST IT ALMOST SCARED ME SENSELESS, TO THE POINT THAT I WAS ABOUT TO THROW OUT ALL MY COSMETICS, (APART FROM LIZ EARLE, OF COURSE, AS I TRUST YOUR COMPANY).
October 14th, 2007 at 6:01 pm |
tracy chan said...
I was thinking about Liz Earle products when i was watching the programme.
I have seen similar programme before.That was before my sister introduce me to Liz Earle products.
I was thinking who is going to be able to afford totally natural products. Its going to cost a fortune!!!
My sister fist saw Liz Earle products on QVC and we both love it. We never use anything else ever since. We always order through your web site as the p&p is cheaper.
October 14th, 2007 at 5:47 pm |
Catriona Boyd said...
I would just like to add my thanks for your information to such a complex subject which can be used to send panic to anyone who doesn’t have a degree in science.
Although most people like to be careful with products they buy i did not find that CH4 program fully informative, only giving frightening hints of awful long term possibilities.
Many thanks again to someone who genuinly cares enough to give the facts.
October 14th, 2007 at 5:41 pm |
Natalie said...
As a Beauty therapist and now teaching to our future gemeration of therapists, after watching the programme, and working with some of the leading cosmetic houses, i have very sensitive skin, and have to watch what i eat and used cosmetically and in the laundry area. it just proves that all the eco products do not do the job, when can we have Liz Earle in the salons?
October 14th, 2007 at 5:34 pm |
Jayne Peach said...
Thank You for your comments on the programme Sarah Beeny presented. I don’t think she as Property Developer should be doing a programme like this. It did alarm me some what but I dont think it gave a balanced view. I think Liz and maybe some other Beauty Experts should have presented it.
October 14th, 2007 at 5:32 pm |
Sally Hurn said...
Thank you Liz for putting the Sarah Beany programme into perspective. After finding out that most of my moisurising and cleansing products contain parabens, my mind has been put to rest. I will bear the information seen in mind, but will no longer be replacing my entire collection of products.
October 14th, 2007 at 12:30 pm |
Jean said...
As I’m new to Liz Earle, having just received some products as a gift, I’m wondering what man-made chemicals are used by the company. Liz Earle has a reputation as using the least harmful ingredients. However, I’ve read Liz’s blog which seems to say some popularly thought to be harmful (eg parabens in various forms) are not harmful unless ingested. Confused!
October 13th, 2007 at 2:18 pm |
Lindsay McCormick said...
Having watched the programme I was straight on to the Internet to do some further research. I also spoke to your Customer Care Team this morning who suggested reading Liz’s blog. As always Liz provided clear information and I now feel reassured. Love all the products!
October 13th, 2007 at 12:51 pm |
M Davies said...
I couldn’t agree more with Liz’s comments. I am also concerned as to what goes on the skin- and into our bodies – but I firmly believe that too many people listen to the hype and sensationalism. I for one do not believe that a paraben that ‘may’ be absorbed through the skin can cause breast cancer and I share the same view as Liz, in that if there possibly is a link to parabens and breast cancer it is far more likely to come from some nasty chemical that has been inhaled or eaten or is present in the air we breathe in our incredibly poluted enviroment.
October 13th, 2007 at 12:21 pm |
Diane Prentice said...
I watched last night’s programme and was fairly concerned by the time it had finished. Yours was the first website I thought to look at and I was right!! Thank you for calming the fears. Too many people are too quick to use scaremongering.
October 12th, 2007 at 5:18 pm |
Jenny said...
I avoided this program, fearing that it would be the usual scare-mongering sensationalism that TV feels the need to provide in order to attract an audience. Seems like it was! Thank you Liz for providing a considered and balanced view of the real science behind the myths.
October 12th, 2007 at 2:37 pm |
Beverley said...
I knew I only had to come to this site today for clear understanding after watching the program. I was never in any doubt about my Liz Earle products and any advice from the team. Thank you for this addition which has helped me to balance my reaction to some of the points raised. I set time aside to watch although I was aware of some things I was able to rest assured the products I had just used (Liz Earle’s range) are trusted and researched. Balanced review, thanks.
October 12th, 2007 at 2:30 pm |
jo said...
Thank you for posting about this issue, which has been ignored for many years by so many of the ‘beauty’ companies. I know I can always rely on sound and thoughtful advice, as well as great natural products from Liz and her company.
October 12th, 2007 at 10:49 am |
Lis said...
Thank you for a thorough analysis of the theories raised in the programme last night. After watching, then checking my bottles and pots of creams and potions, I was straight to the internet this morning to further investigate. As ever, it seems a sensible balance is required between possible benefits and possible risks . Thanks
October 12th, 2007 at 9:31 am |
jacquie said...
Thank you for your thought and I have just been speaking to one of the customer care advisers who was very helpful despite having to chat through a fire alarm too ! I was concerned to see that my Cleanse and Polish had parabens but delighted to hear they have now been removed and look forward to receiving a new one. Is it possible to strive even harder to remove more from the brightening treatment too. I have been busy throwing away lots of other products from well known makes with an unending list of nasty chemicals and will be sticking to Liz Earle more now. thank you.
October 12th, 2007 at 3:36 pm |