cosmetic facts

Topic: Which ingredients have absolutely no place in cosmetics !

With the applications (Apps) Codecheck and ToxFox every consumer can scan his products with a 'smartphone' and immediately find out if there are any questionable ingredients. A respective assessment as well as an explanation of the function of the ingredients are also included.

In addition, there are websites that list all known problem substances with explanations. Unfortunately, there is little scientific information in this area, but a lot of half-knowledge and several platforms which are directly involved with the cosmetics industry (chemical industry). These platforms can be recognized by the fact that they mainly advertise products instead of providing information. 

Wikipedia and CodeCheck explain and justify why the substances listed below are problematic in cosmetic products.

Aluminium, aluminium salts, synthetic UV filters (octocrylene, benzophenones), pigments (all CI additives), borates (boric acid, boric acid salts), formaldehyde splitters (biocides), generally halogenated compounds (especially biocides), mineral oils, paraffins, parabens, preservatives, phthalates, PEG / PPG, silicones (silicone oils), fragrances.

PhytoVero extends this list and explains why the following substances are excluded from our products. 

Preservatives:
A topic in itself. Even the Apps Codecheck, ToxFox as well as the website Hautschutzengel.de consider potassium sorbate (E202) or sodium benzoate (E211) to be of little concern. We see it differently:
It has been known since 2009 that potassium sorbate can have genotoxic effects on human lymphocytes (► source). 
Sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate can trigger allergies such as hives or asthma and strain the liver metabolism. In general, we do not use any chemical preservatives as we stabilize our products with "natural" silver. Often the amount of bioethanol is sufficient to stabilize the formula.  

Endocrine disruptors (hormone-active substances):
According to the WHO (2013), 800 substances are known (► source) in which endocrine disruptive effects are proven or suspected. Like phytoestrogen, they can occur naturally, but are mostly synthetically produced (parabens and UV filters such as 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and 3-benzylidene camphor). Endocrine disruptors can irreversibly (cumulatively) alter the hormonal system and damage health. (►further information)

Laureth sulfate:
Laureth Sulfate, also called sodium dodecylpoly(oxyethylene)sulfate can be found in almost all commercial soaps, shower gels and shampoos. As a highly fat-soluble, anionic surfactant, this synthetic substance dries out the skin too much in our opinion to be used in cosmetics. In addition, all ethoxylated compounds can be classified as questionable because they make the skin more permeable to harmful, allergenic and carcinogenic substances.

Microplastic:
We have no words for that. Who wants plastic beads in their cream? Probably this will be one of the top five most stupid ingredients the cosmetics industry has ever come up with. Although from a health point of view there is no direct risk for humans during the first interaction (e.g. peeling), the microplastic with its relatively large surface once released acts as an accumulator for various toxic compounds. Since microplastic is very difficult to remove from the environment, the 'boomerang effect' occurs during the second interaction, for example via drinking water. 

Nano-Plastic:
Carbomers, methacrylates, acrylamide copolymers, PVP and PVA:
All these are only slightly questionable substances, which are mainly used for consistency as well as gel and film formation. We prefer natural fabrics. For us, an acrylamide copolymer is plastic, not digestible, not edible and therefore not acceptable for us, not least because of bioaccumulation and poor biodegradability. Polymers and co-polymers of all acrylamide or acrylic acid or methacrylamide or methacrylic acid, i.e. polyacrylates often referred to as carbomers, act as thickeners in many products ranging from cosmetics to cleaning and washing agents to pharmaceuticals. Carbomer is a synthetic polymer, i.e. in this sense a "liquid" plastic.

Like synthetic polymers, polyacrylates are poorly biodegradable and accumulate in the environment.