Niveau
Ingredients
Parafinnum liquidum: Lubricant emollient. Also known as mineral oil. A cheap ingredient that produces a temporary moisturising effect. Penetration enhancer. Prolonged contact destroys the natural oily barrier of the skin, leading to dryness. Can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Some PAHs are potential human carcinogens.
PEG-150: Acts as a thickener, solvent, emulsifier and surfactant: Penetration enhancer; skin irritation. May be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, impurities linked to breast cancer
Methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben: Preservatives. Skin irritation; contact dermatitis; contact allergies. Parabens are oestrogen mimics: butylparaben and isobutylparaben have the strongest effect, followed by propylparaben, ethylparaben and methylparaben. Excess oestrogen is a trigger for cancers of the breast, ovary, uterus and testicles and may have effects on foetal development. Recently, scientists conducted an analysis of breast cancer tissue and found accumulated parabens in every sample.
Simethicone: Synthetic silicone-based moisturiser; film former. Skin irritation; film formers trap other substances (including other ingredients in the product) beneath them, and because they do not allow the skin to breathe they may exacerbate skin irritation caused by sweat or other substances.
BHT: Antioxidant. Contact allergies/dermatitis; potential carcinogen; may cause birth defects
Parfum: Fragrance. Allergenic; triggers asthmatic reactions; skin irritation; central nervous system disruption; artificial musks and phthalates (common fragrance ingredients) are hormone-disrupting and potential carcinogens.
Limonene: Synthetic fragrance. A common pesticide in fl ea-control products, causes skin and eye irritation; powerful sensitiser; may trigger asthma attacks; produces tumours, reproductive abnormalities and delayed growth in some animals.
Geraniol: Synthetic fragrance. Irritating to skin and eyes; a sensitiser.
Linalool: Synthetic fragrance. Skin, eye and respiratory irritation; in animals causes CNS disorders affecting muscle control.
Hydroxycitronellal: Synthetic fragrance. A contact allergen and skin, eye and lung irritant.
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexane carboxaldehyde: Synthetic fragrance. A contact allergen and sensitiser; worsens eczema in two to three per cent of sufferers.
Citronellol: Synthetic fragrance. Also used as a pesticide, a severe skin irritant. Butylphenyl methylpropional Synthetic fragrance Skin irritant. Use is restricted in both leave-on and wash-off products due to powerful sensitisation potential. In animals, skin applications at high concentrations caused sperm damage and CNS effects.