Beauty is Toxic

March 9, 2009     Posted in Body

makeup.gifAt least the products are, according to former Ms. America, Susan Jeske. After having some serious skin and medical issues she sought the help of a holistic healer who attributed her problems to the beauty products she used every day. Jeske stopped using everything and within 2 weeks all of her skin problems were gone.


By Noa

Shocked and angry, Susan Jeske gave up her job promoting beauty products to find out just what was going into the products men and women use every single day.

What she found was not pretty.

It turns out that there are 12 chemicals in makeup, shampoo and even toothpaste that could be toxic to our health! Yes, the products we turn to to keep us fresh, clean and looking beautiful could be the very things causing all of our problems.

And the government and beauty industry know about the negative effects of these chemicals. According to Jeske, “More than 1,100 harmful chemicals used in personal care items have been banned in most European countries. In the U.S. only 10 have been banned.” 

Scary, right? It looks like the people behind all of our go-to products are working hard to keep the truth under wraps. So, what products should we be looking out for? Jeske’s Toxic 12 are:

1.   Benzoyl peroxide

2.   DEA (diethanolamine) and MEA (monoethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine)

3.   Dioxin

4.   DMDM hydantoin and imidazolidinyl urea

5.   Synthetic Colors and Pigments

6.   Parabens (methyl, butyl, ethyl, propyl)

7.   FEG (polyethylene glycol)

8.   Phthalates 9xenoestrogens)

9.   Propylene glycol and butylene glycol

10. Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate

11. Sunscreen chemicals like avobensone, benzphenone and PABA

12. Triclosan

Now, don’t stop bathing, brushing and applying makeup just because you don’t want your skin to fall off. It is not easy, but it is possible to avoid any of these chemicals. All products must have a list of their ingredients, so it is as simple as reading the label to find out which of the Toxic 12 are in your favorite beauty products.

Unfortunately, though, a good majority of the products on store shelves have some combination of these chemicals, so you may have a difficult time finding stuff without them. Your best bet is by going natural or organic with your makeup. But don’t trust any product with “All Natural” on the label; not all Organic beauty products are created equal, so read those ingredients!

8 Comments on "Beauty is Toxic"

  1. Jes says:
    Mon, 9th Mar 200910:13 am 

    Benzyol peroxide acne cream is the only thing I use (and that works) whenever I have a blemish pop up! I had no idea it was bad for you!?

  2. andy says:
    Mon, 9th Mar 200910:19 am 

    yeah i was wondering the same thing… LOTS if not most acne treatments have benzyol peroxide… I use proactiv which has plenty of the stuff

  3. Sam says:
    Mon, 9th Mar 200910:47 am 

    Benzoyl peroxide is pretty drying to your skin and it shouldn't be much of a surprise that its toxic, as it is used to kill the bacteria that cause acne.

  4. Jacks says:
    Mon, 9th Mar 20091:38 pm 

    Sodium laureth sulfate isn't toxic, its just drying.

  5. Holly says:
    Mon, 9th Mar 20095:38 pm 

    As a general rule don't put anything on your skin that you wouldn't put in your mouth. Your skin is porous and WILL absorb what you put on it so be careful.

    Also, tea tree oil works just as well benzyol peroxide (just put it on the spots themselves, it will dry out healthy skin). Green tea supplements are great for acne as well!

  6. Danyell says:
    Wed, 11th Mar 20097:39 pm 

    my friend tried proactiv once, the benzoyl peroxide screwed us his face A LOT! it was red, itchy, peeling, and blotchy. ew

    if u have sensitive skin, never use any thing with benzoyl peroxide in it.

  7. Robin says:
    Wed, 11th Mar 20098:53 pm 

    What does toxic mean here? CollegeCandy I wish you (and in this case Ms Jeske herself) would cite when you post such scandalously good info!

  8. Ms America Pageant - Susan Jeske says:
    Mon, 14th Sep 20092:51 am 

    BRIDGET CLEARY WINS MS. AMERICA ® 2009-10

    Costa Mesa, CA – September 11, 2009 – Bridget Cleary, 28, from Boston, Massachusetts was crowned Ms. America® 2009-10 at the national pageant held Sunday, September 6, 2009 in Ontario, California. This is Bridget’s FIRST TIME to ever compete in a pageant and she is the sixth woman to be crowned Ms. America ®.
    Over 50 contestants applied for the competition where it was narrowed down to 19 finalists. Throughout the three-hour competition, the finalists competed in four categories including: interview, evening gown, sportswear and final on-stage question. Her walk across the stage to accept the crown marked her first steps on a journey that will take her from spotlight to spotlight representing the American woman 26 years of age and up who are single, divorced or married.
    The reigning Ms. America® is a senior manager at Arnold Worldwide advertising, which is owned by the 6th largest global advertising company, Havas. A successful career advisor and motivational trainer, Cleary conducts and coordinates inspirational seminars across the east coast for employees at the junior, mid and executive levels. Known as the ‘Talent Developer,’ Cleary helps employees reach their greatest potential through strategic goal setting and specializes in elevating employees’ talents for branding, advertising and digital technology to the next level. Her passion for providing successful, inspirational business training ensures that the agency produces winning brand strategies and promotions for clients such as: McDonalds, Volvo, Ocean Spray, Carnival cruises, Hershey’s and Fidelity.
    A 2003 graduate from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and Chi Omega alumna, Cleary holds a BA in Communication, with a Women’s Studies concentration and Philosophy minor. Ranked third in her class, Cleary achieved Magna cum Laude and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Lamda Pi Eta honors societies, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and was a Rhodes and Marshall Scholar nominee based on her scholastic achievements and strength of character. A life-long advocate for education, motivation and serving others through philanthropy, she has worked with the Make-A-Wish foundation, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Babson College Leadership Development Program and is a Project Leader for the Boston Cares organization, the largest volunteer organization in New England and a part of the internationally recognized HandsOn Network with 370 volunteer affiliates serving 83% of the American population and 12 international communities.
    As Ms. America ® 2009-10, Cleary is honored to represent an organization that enriches the lives of women across the country and is passionate about continuing to give back to others through philanthropic endeavors and being the inspiration that helps others achieve their dreams.
    First runner-up was Christy Van Der Westhuizen from Lakewood, California, second runner-up was Catherine Blades from Manhattan Beach, California, third runner-up was Daphne Rice from Ypsilanti, Michigan and fourth runner-up was Dr. Heidi Ritz from Woodland Hills, California.

    To schedule an appearance please contact the pageant at: MsAmericaPageant@aol.com or call 949.679.8888

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