Natural Fertility and Birth Control Workshop- Wythe Hotel November 10th

Join women's health experts, Jessa Blades, Katinka Locascio and Erin Borbet for an interactive evening designed to empower you to know your body. Learn how your cycle works and what your hormones can tell you. Find out ways to optimize fertility now…. or five years from now.

Troubleshoot cycle imbalances like PCOS, low thyroid function, or missing periods. And discover how Fertility Awareness Method can be an alternative to hormonal contraception. If you want to get pregnant, if you want to avoid getting pregnant, if you just want your cycle to be in balance, this is the workshop for you!

+ gift bags with goodies from Kindara + Good Eggs + Traditional Medicinals Tea + The Period Store, Thinx, Urban Moonshine
7-7:30pm- Herbal Cocktails, Conversation and Shopping
7:30-9:30pm- Lecture, Q&A

Wythe Hotel, Screening Room 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

***For general questions or more info contact: info@bladesnaturalbeauty or call (646) 580-2851

Natural Beauty Workshop with the Tipi Project

Dreams are coming true! On September 9th I will be teaching a class in a 30 foot Tipi with the Tipi Project in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The Tipi Project is an intergenerational community space designed to foster connection between people, land, creativity and tradition through art, culture and education. Currently the tipi is in Havemeyer Park in South Willimamburg but only until the end of September- so be sure to check out upcoming classes.

Below is a description of my class- hope to see you there!

First we will talk about natural and organic beauty and products, why they are important, how they heal our skin and bodies and how to identify the right ones for you. We will learn about healing tonic herbs and create a tea blend that we will all share together and sip throughout the night. Next we will make a couple of simple skincare products. discussing raw ingredients, essential oils, and herbs.

You will leave this night empowered to take better care of your skin from the inside out and be inspired to look at your own beauty rituals in a much more holistic way.
Each student will leave with a custom tea blend of herbs and some of each of the products that we make together.

September 9th
7-9:30pm
Buy your ticket here: www.tipiproject.com
P.S. T Magazine wrote about our class! Now you have to come :)

Burt's Bees: THE MOVIE

We see Burt’s Bees products in our grocery stores all the time, and who hasn't owned one their yellow tubes of peppermint lip balm. Now we can learn more about the man behind the brand in all of his natural, eccentric glory in the new documentary film titled Burt’s Buzz.

Burt Shavitz began to turn his extra beeswax into candles and lip balm in the 1980s with the help of Roxanne Quimby, his then-lover and business partner. As the small business turned into a successful enterprise, the relationship between Shavitz and Quimby—both professional and romantic—went south. Shavitz was ultimately pushed out of the company, but as the face and the inspiration behind the billion-dollar Burt’s Bees brand, he is still a figure worth investigating.

Shavitz has an impressive resume as a 1960's news photographer, an environmentalist, and a beekeeper extraordinaire. He had little interest in becoming a “yuppie,” or in huge financial gain. “I’m less interested in the inside of whatever it is I own than on the outside of what it sits on,” Shavits explains, referring to his concern for nature and the simple life. Of course, Burt’s Bees cares very much about what’s “on the inside” of their personal-care products, which is why this movie caught my attention. In recent years the company was bought by Clorox which is interesting choice for company who's roots are so pure and simple. Check out the trailer to watch the curmudgeonly Shavitz hold handfuls of bees and tell his side of the story. We can expect Burt’s Buzz out in June.

Get your ticket! Sewing Seeds presents STAINED, an event of sensorial experiences through natural dyes.

So excited for this event. I hope you can make it!  STAINED was created by artist Cara Piazza as an unique experience for the public to engage with natural dyes through the lens of experimentation, ritual and performance. The event will challenge and delight the senses, inviting guests to participate with different “sensorial stations,”all interacting in unique ways with natural dyes.

An opulent table featuring ceramic works by Daniela Jacobs and Betty Roytburd, hanging net installation and table linens created by Cat Lauigan of Cave Collective and local delicacies curated by chef and artist Nicole Asselin, that will also function as dyes and stains.

A tapestry will be suspended along side ritualistic vessels conceived by Alex Wolkowicz of Cave Collective, that guests can use to splash, bang and imprint their imaginations on to it.

A tent will be erected, where guests will play with scent and sound, with scents provided and conjured up by Natural Apothecary and beauty guru Jessa Blades and sounds mixed by Cat Lauigan of Cave Collective. 

Each station will combine all the elements of the human senses of sight, taste, touch, hearing and smell and abstract them to wholly immerse you into the world of natural dyeing.

Join us for a night of celebration of art and natural dyes,  local food + cocktails,  and unique experiences.

May 22nd,  7-11PM
The Dumbo Loft (155 Water Street, Brooklyn)

Ticket includes access to event and performances and open bar from 7-11PM generously provided by Van Brunt Stillhouse and Sixpoint Brewery.  Dancing provided by DJ Ayres from THE RUB.

MORE INFO + TICKETS HERE

BLADES BEAUTY COURSE, HOLIDAY SPARKLE EDITION with LDBA

So excited to announce my upcoming class with my favorite art school in Brooklyn, L’Ecole Des Beaux Arts. Join us on December 8th for the ultimate class to keep you looking good and feeling calm during this busy and festive season.

 

We will begin class by sipping herbal tea and discussing easy herbal recipes to keep yourself calm and healthy during Holiday madness. Next, I will demonstrate some easy and effective makeup techniques to get you ready for all of those festive holiday parties:
Techniques include: Smokey eye demo (obviously), fake eyelash application, how to wear a perfect and long lasting red lip, and how to turn your daytime makeup into party ready, sexy night-time makeup in just 3 easy steps.
We will also cover simple beauty tricks & I'll share my expert advice teaching you how to make the most of your beauty products.
Students will finish this course with a sparkling herbal cocktail as we celebrate your skills and confidence to look and feel your best this Holiday Season!

 

  

Class description:


Jessa Blades, a natural-beauty expert, herbalist, and make-up artist, teaches this exclusive LDBA Beauty Course just in time for the Holidays! Sign up and schedule a night to celebrate and pamper YOU.
Date: Sunday, December 8th, 5- 7:30 pm
Location: LDBA Classroom, Williamsburg
338 Wythe Avenue · Brooklyn, NY 11211
To sign-up:    
Purchase here

Learning from Ina May

post by Odile Schalit, friend, social worker, and doula-

I had no idea the world that would be revealed to me when my Doula Mentor handed me "Spiritual Midwifery" some 5 or so years ago. Ina May Gaskin's name was but one I'd overheard in the circles I was, at the time, trying to "infiltrate." I imagined her as some sort of mystical birthing goddess. As it turned out, I wasn't too far off.

Spiritual Midwifery, her first book, which came out in 1977, speaks to Ina May's beginnings and work as a self-made Midwife on route to and eventually on the commune, called The Farm, that she and her husband founded. Since then, Ina May has established a renowned Midwifery Clinic on the Farm, written four books on topics related to birthing/breast feeding, written several articles, lectured around the world and appeared in documentaries - most recently,  Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and The Farm Midwives (trailer below).

Among many things, Ina May is clearly a pioneer for the natural birth movement but it is a subtler point that weaves its way through her work and her speaking that feels to me not only the most poetic but the most profound. Ina May speaks passionately about the reconnection of a woman with her body in its most natural and animalistic sense. The idea being that to start listening to our bodies again, to trust our bodies and their wisdom and fears, will provide for a more empowered experience in life and in birth. This sentiment and her expression of this (for example, through her quirky but brilliant "sphincter law" description which is accompanied on occasion by videos of monkeys) has been universally helpful for me as a Social Worker and Doula and can be to any woman regardless of the type of birth experience she seeks.

images via The Guardian &  Mutha Magazine

Winter Wellness Workshop

A couple of weeks ago we were lucky enough to get  Carly Harrison, of Vermana Herbals, to come down from Vermont and teach us how to keep ourselves strong and healthy all winter long. Herbal cocktails, learning, snacks, sharing and then some beauty product shopping. What a perfect night!

Tea brewing on the stove

Carly's Winter Blend tincture

Smelling the herbs

Our immune boosting cocktail featuring elderberry syrup, lemon, cava and rosie day tincture.

These were the stars of the night!

Odile chopping the Echinacea root

Herbal students

notes notes notes

Yummy immune boosting snacks: rosemary and garlic honey on goat cheese & lemon and lavender sugar cookies

Carly making garlic lemonade

Jessa showing makeup techniques

The magical eyeliner for smokey eyes

The Echinacea tincture we made

Amazing gift bags care of Earth tu Face, Whole Living Magazine and Thumbs Cookies

And a big thanks to Daeja Fallas for the photos!

Art School in Brooklyn? Yes, please!

My friend Sara has asked me to be a part of her project... L'Ecole Des Beaux Arts

She wants to start a school where adults and children can take classes taught by professional artists, musicians, and innovators.
Here is her Kickstarter video-


This is such a good idea and so needed in Brooklyn. I'm honored to be teaching a class as a reward for folks who donate.
Class description: A Blades Beauty Course...
Jessa Blades is a natural-beauty expert, herbalist, and make-up artist. In this 2.5 hour class you and 4 others will learn how to heal, nurture and care for your skin using the best products available. Also, your make-up questions will be answered, including how to master red lips, create smokey eyes and the 'natural' glow, as well as how to apply makeup anywhere in 5 minutes. You will also learn what combination of products and colors are best for you. Class will include 10-minute make-up tutorials and application for each recipient, and a Blades skin-care-kit to take home. We will finish with a special toast to beauty with hand-crafted herbal cocktails. 

The rewards are AMAZING. You will want to take EVERY class. The teachers are total ROCKSTARS. Let's help to support Sara and her idea to support the arts in a fun and very classy way. PLEDGE NOW!

The Tools Of Beauty

We collaborated with Ecover to answer questions about natural beauty...

Here is the post from August:

Over the past ten years I have worked with hundreds of women, teaching them about makeup, how to apply it, what colors to choose and how to care for and clean their tools. I’m always shocked that the majority of women, while they are brilliant in many other ways, are often lacking some basic information when it comes to dealing with beauty products.

Most women know to clean a kitchen knife after using it or that they shouldn’t keep milk or eggs for a year in the fridge… but the majority of women I meet have never washed their makeup brushes. I’ve been told by some women that they simply throw out their brushes when they start to look really dirty. Not to worry, Ladies, I know the only reason that you have been doing these things is because you didn’t know any better. I am here today to help you learn about what you need and how to best care for these very special tools.

First, I would recommend that you invest in some good brushes. If you care for them, you will have them for the rest of your life (a Green Closet concept carried over to your beauty regime). I’d also love for you to have a range of brushes at your disposal:

• 2 big fluffy brushes (for powder, bronzer or blush)
• one firm eye shadow brush
• a fluffy eye shadow blending brush
• angle brush for eyebrows
• a pointy liner brush
• an eyelash curler is always good to have (make sure that you keep an eye on that rubber piece that protects your lashes, when that gets worn down, you can replace it)

How to care for your brushes:

• Store your brushes out in an open, cool, and dry place, if possible. I like to clean mine every 2-3 weeks, but it depends on how much you use them.

To clean your brushes:

• Wet the brush and add a drop of gentle shampoo (or Ecover soap)
• Gently swirl the bristles around in the soap (I like to do this all in the palm of my hand)
• Rinse under the water until all the soap is gone
• Dry the brush by squeezing out excess water with a towel and reshape brush
• Then lay the brush on a clean towel and let the bristles hang over the counter to dry

Jessa Blades

Ecover’s Natural Beauty Expert

 Image via Emily Gilbert

HOW TO: Prep your skin for winter

Now that Thanksgiving is over I'm finally accepting the fact that winter is here. Root veggies, crock pots, wool socks and hydrating skin care is what I have been thinking about lately. I know how hard winter can be on your skin and I am here to help! Check out this video I did with the great folks over at Abe's Market. In it I share my tips and tricks to help you prep your skin for this upcoming season.

EVENT: Find out what your OBGYN and your Mom never told you about Birth Control

Have you guys ever heard of the Fertility Awareness Method as a method of birth control? A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to take an intro class with the wonderful teacher Katinka Locascio and now I am thrilled to be able to host the class and share this knowledge with all of you.

Please join us for this very special event:
Fertility Awareness Workshop and Discussion with Katinka Locascio
November 2nd, 7-9 pm, Ft. Greene Brooklyn.

Whether you are looking to welcome a child into your life, 'waking up from the pill' and looking for a more natural form of birth control, or wanting to better understand you gynecological health-

This evening will be a fun flash back to high school biology class and a conversation about little talked about, but very safe forms of birth control that we bet your Doctor or your Mother never told you about!
_____________________

DETAILS:
Fertility Awareness Workshop, 7-9pm, Wednesday NOVEMBER 2nd
7-7:30pm- Cocktails, Herb Tisanes and Conversation
7:30-8:45pm- Lecture begins at 7:30pm; Q&A and discussion to follow

$25 per person Buy your ticket here 
 For questions or more information, contact: jessa@bladesnaturalbeauty.com or call (646) 580-2851

About Fertility Awareness:
Fertility Awareness teaches a woman how her body works and provides a method by a which she can chart signals to know each day if she's fertile.  Not the ineffective rhythm method, Fertility awareness is based on science and understanding one's own body.  It is inherently empowering and helps women gauge their gynecological health as well make choices about fertility. This class will not teach the method itself, but provides an introduction and be an open forum for discussion and questions.  Check out this great article too: Your Grandmother's Birth Control Might Actually Work by Nona Willis Aronowitz.

About Katinka:
Katinka Locascio, is the founder of Earth + Sky Healing Arts and has been practicing bodywork since 2001.  She currently teaches classes on Fertility Awareness method and natural birth control and writes for PostModernFertility.tumblr.com

Let's chat about Placenta

A fresh placenta simmers with ginger, lemon, & a jalapeño pepper. photo via NY Mag  

Did you guys read "The Placenta Cookbook" article in NY Mag? I just finished it and my mind is full of questions and ideas regarding the topic. I love that NY Mag covered the story and I can only imagine the response the article has gotten them. I think the topic is fascinating. I'm curious to study how other cultures honor the placenta and their rituals surrounding birth. And the fact that other animals eat the placenta after birth is pretty interesting, we are, after all, animals (even though we spend much of our time disconnecting from that identity).

If eating your placenta after birth can help with alleviating postpartum depression, aid in breast milk production and lactation, act as a uterine tonic, and replenish nutrients lost during pregnancy... I'm in. 

Read the whole article here

HOW-TO: Make Lavender and Rose Body Powder

Sweaty Summertime calls for all sorts of recipes and ideas to help you deal with the heat. I'm a big fan of powders, for hair and body. If you are looking for a fun project, consider making this super easy Body Powder-         

Jessa's interview from Stylecaster.com: "This is one of my favorite recipes. This powder is a natural deodorizer because of its absorbent properties. Once you are done making it, you can put it in a spice shaker for sprinkling on the body or just apply it by hand. Have fun and be creative with powders; they can be scented any way you like, and they are so simple and inexpensive to make."

Shopping List:
1 cup white cosmetic grade clay
1-2 cups cornstarch (you can substitute with arrowroot powder)
3-5 drops of essential oils- my favorite is lavender
Lavender and Rose flowers (optional but they make it look really beautiful!)
1. In a large bowl, using a wire whisk or fork, mix the clay and cornstarch together.
2. Add essential oil (note: It will absorb quite a bit)
3. If you decide to add the herbs, finely grind the lavender and roses (or other herbs of your choice) to a fine powder. Sift. Then grind again. They must be as powdered as possible or they will give a gritty feeling to the powder. A coffee or seed and nut grinder will work fairly well (make sure the grinder is VERY clean or you will smell like coffee).
4. Cover the body powder with a porous cloth and let sit for several hours to dry. Package in a powder container, spice jar with a shaker top or a vintage glass bottle.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!  

Face It: Healthy Beauty Event

In June I had the opportunity to head to Pittsburgh to be a part of an amazing event hosted by Women For A Healthy Environment. Hundreds of women gathered at the beautiful Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and together we talked about what is really going on with our personal care products and then had an opportunity to mingle and shop around for alternatives. Our panel discussion was hosted by Emmy-award winning correspondent, Tonia Caruso, and featured myself (Jessa Blades of Blades Natural Beauty), Betsy George from Duchess Marden, Vanessa Green from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics; and Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Executive Director of Women for a Healthy Environment.
After the panel the guests were able to meet and shop with local natural beauty vendors (As I am Naturals, Cherry Valley Organics, Simple Sugars Scrub, Third Day Luxury Soaps, and Una Biologicals) and participate in my makeup demonstrations. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect night surrounded by open and thoughtful women in the most BEAUTIFUL botanical garden. More videos and photos are on their way.

Curious to hear more about our event or how we can organize one in your city or community? We are always looking to collaborate and share our knowledge of healthy beauty. Contact us and let's discuss ideas!

It's here! EWG's 2012 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce

Use EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides to reduce your exposures as much as possible.
Download the guide here

FACE IT...Healthy Beauty from the Inside Out Event in Pittsburgh

I'm getting so, so excited for next week's event.

The incredible organization Women for a Healthy Environment is bringing me to Pittsburgh to chat about healthy beauty for a special girls night at the stunning Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

If you are in the area, I look forward to seeing you there and if not, please help us spread the word to any friends you may have in Pittsburgh.

Details for the event-
You are invited to attend WHE's first fundraiser for a girls' night out on June 7th from 5:30-8:30 pm at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.   Is your facial toner filled with toxins? Lead in your lipstick? Parabens in your powder? Join us to hear the answers to these questions and more! Our featured guest is Jessa Blades, Natural Beauty Expert, Makeup Artist, and Women's Health Advocate, who founded Blades Natural Beauty after a long personal struggle to reconcile her love for bringing out the best and most beautiful in women with her concern about the dangers of the cosmetic industry. Jessa previously worked with MAC Cosmetics and has since freelanced extensively in New York City where she now lives. Joining Jessa will be Vanessa Green with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. We are also fortunate to have Tonia Caruso, an Emmy winning correspondent for WQED's OnQ and host of Comcast Local Edition, serve as our Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. The ticket price is $25. Space is limited, so register today!

This video gives me the creeps- but hey- so does testing on animals

The lovely Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine agrees- testing on animals is not beautiful.
She teamed up with the UK group  Four Paws  for this awareness video to show the ugly face of animal testing.

Hot pink nail polish is always a good idea (just make sure the polish is non-toxic)

I find this nail polish controversy so interesting, especially as I am someone who is and forever will be obsessed with the color hot pink.

I love John Stewart's take on this "Toemageddon of 2011."  My only wish is that J. Crew's Jenna Lyons would use a non-toxic nail polish instead. Let's keep the toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and formaldehyde (all known carcinogenic ingredients sometimes found in conventional polish) out of nail polish please.

Next time Jenna- use one of these
Priti's polish in Firecandle
Acquarella's polish in Prissy
Scotch Naturals polish in Tartan Swizzle

The Daily Show - Toemageddon 2011 - This Little Piggy Went to Hell
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Let's Avoid These 30 Ingredients

The Dirty Thirty, as they are called, are a list of ingredients that I like to avoid when shopping for makeup, skincare, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant... you get the idea. These ingredients have been linked to cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and more. They don't belong in our medicine cabinets or our makeup bags.

Print out this handy list and hang it on your refrigerator or carry it with you to the store.

Curious what ingredients are in your products? Research them here. 

1.   ALUMINUM ZIRCONIUM and OTHER ALUMINUM COMPOUNDS 
Function: Used to control sweat and odor in the underarms by slowing down the production of sweat.
Present in: Antiperspirants. Banned by EU.
Health concerns: Linked to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease; may be linked to breast cancer; probable neurotoxin; possible nervous system, respiratory, and developmental toxin.
2.    BENZYL ACETATE
Function: Solvent; hidden within “fragrance.”
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Linked to pancreatic cancer; easily absorbs into skin causing quick systemic effects; animal studies show hyperemia of the lungs; possible gastrointestinal, liver, and respiratory toxicant; possible neurotoxin.
3.    BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE and BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE
Function: Antimicrobial agent, deodorant, preservative, biocide.
Present in: Moisturizer, sunscreen, facial cleanser, acne treatment, pain relief. Restricted in Japan and Canada.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; may trigger asthma; possible organ system toxicant; animal studies show endocrine disruption and brain, nervous system, respiratory and blood effects; possible carcinogen.
4.    BRONOPOL
Function: Preservative.
Present in: Moisturizer, body wash, facial cleanser, makeup remover, anti-aging products. Restricted in Canada.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; lung and skin toxicant; animal studies show endocrine disruption and gastrointestinal, brain and nervous system effects; irritant.
5.    BUTYL ACETATE
Function: Solvent in polishes and treatments, prevents chipping.
Present in: Nail polish and nail treatments.
Health concerns: Repeated exposure causes skin dryness and cracking; vapors may induce drowsiness or dizziness; flammable.
6.    BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE (BHT)/ BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE (BHA)
Function: Anti-Oxidant; slows down the rate at which product ingredients change in color.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Banned by EU.
Health Concerns: Immune system toxicant; endocrine disruptor; probable human carcinogen; animal studies show brain, liver, neurotoxin, reproductive and respiratory toxicant.
7.    ETHOXYLATED INGREDIENTS:CETEARETH/PEG COMPOUNDS
Function: Surfactant, emulsifying or cleansing agent, penetration enhancer.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Animal studies show brain, nervous system and sense organ effects; irritant; reproductive and skin toxin, alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin and increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream; may contain harmful impurities.
8.    COAL TAR
Function: Controls itching and eczema, softens and promotes the dissolution of hard, scaly, rough skin, also used in hair dyes.
Present in: Shampoo and Hair Dye. Banned by Canada and EU.
Health concerns: Known human carcinogen; skin and respiratory toxicant.
9.    COCAMIDE DEA/ LAURAMIDE DEA
Function: used as foaming agents in shampoos and bath products, and as emulsifying agents in cosmetics; foaming and cleansing agents for “mouth feel.”
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Human immune system toxicant; forms carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents; animal studies show sense organ effects and skin irritation; may contain harmful impurities.
10.   DIETHANOLAMINE (DEA)
Function: pH adjuster.
Present in: Sunscreen, moisturizer, foundation, hair color.
Health concerns: Skin and immune system toxicant; possible carcinogen; irritant; animal studies show endocrine disruption and neuro developmental, brain and nervous system effects; may trigger asthma.
11.   ETHYL ACETATE
Function: Solvent.
Present in: Nail polish products, mascara, tooth whitening, perfume.
Health concerns: Probable neurotoxin; possible nervous system toxin; possible carcinogen; irritant; highly flammable
12.   FORMALDEHYDE
Function: Disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, preservative.
Present in: Deodorant, nail polish, soap, shampoo, shaving cream. Restricted in Canada. Banned by EU.
Health concerns: Immune system, repertory, hematological, and skin toxicant; probable carcinogen and cardiovascular toxicant; can damage DNA; may trigger asthma; animal studies show sense organ, brain, and nervous system effects; possible human development toxicant.
13.   FORMALDEHYDE-RELEASING PRESERVATIVES ( QUATERNIUM-15, DMDM HYDANTOIN, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA AND  IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, DEA, MEA, TEA)
Function: Anti-microbial preservative.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Forms nitrosamines when in the presence of amines such as MEA, DEA and TEA; probable immune system, blood, cardiovascular and skin toxicant; possible carcinogen; animal studies show endocrine disruption, nervous system and organ system effects; may contain harmful impurities.
14.   FRAGRANCE (PARFUM)
Function: Deodorant, masking, perfuming
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; possible neurotoxin; can contain between 10 and 300 different chemicals, many of which have never been tested for safety; see phthalates. Labeling can be confusing. If uncertain, check with manufacture.
15.   HYDROQUINONE
Function: Antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, skin bleaching agent, hair colorant.
Present in: Skin fading/lightener, facial moisturizer, anti-aging, sunscreen, hair color, facial cleanser and moisturizer. Restricted in Canada.
Health concerns: Immune system and respiratory toxicant; probable neurotoxin; possible carcinogen; irritant; animal studies show endocrine disruption.
16.   IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE
Function: Preservative.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels. Restricted in Japan.
Health concerns: Human toxicant; possible liver immune system toxin; allergenic.
17.   LEAD and LEAD COMPOUNDS
Function: Colorant.
Present in: Hair dye, hair products. Traces found in some red lipstick. Restricted in Canada.
Health concerns: Probable carcinogen; developmental, respiratory, gastrointestinal and reproductive toxicant; reduced fertility; animal studies show metabolic, brain and nervous system effects; suspected nano-scale ingredients with potential to absorb into the skin
18.   METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE (MI/MCI) and METHYLCHLOROISOTHAIZOLINONE
Function: Preservative.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels. Restricted in Canada and Japan.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; animal studies show restricted growth of the axons and dendrites of immature nerves, neurotoxicity and positive mutation results; can lead to a malfunction in the way neurons communicate with each other; especially detrimental to  a developing nervous system.
19.   OXYBENZONE (BENZPENONE-3)
Function: Sunscreen Agent; Ultraviolet Light Absorber, UV Absorber; UV Filter.
Present in: Sunscreens and makeup
Health concerns: Associated with photoallergic reactions and immunotoxicity.  Probable carcinogen and endocrine disrupter; Enhanced skin absorption and bioaccumulates to dangerous levels; biochemical cellular changes.  Developmental and reproductive toxicity.
20.   PARABENS (METHYL, ETHYL, PROPYL AND BUTYL)
Function: Preservative and anti-bacterial agent.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: May alter hormone levels, possibly increasing risk for certain types of cancer, impaired fertility, or alteration of the development of a fetus or young child; studies have found parabens in breast tumors; probable skin toxicant; animal studies show brain and nervous system effects.
21.   PETROLATUM (PETROLEUM)
Function: Forms barrier on skin; makes lipsticks shine and creams smoother; inexpensive skin softener.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels. Banned by EU.
Health concerns: May be contaminated with impurities, linked to cancer or other significant health problems.
22.   PHTHALATES (DIBUTYL PHTHALATES)
Function: Fragrance ingredient, plasticizer, solvent.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels. Banned in EU.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; developmental and reproductive toxin; respiratory toxicant; probable neurotoxin; possible carcinogen and endocrine disruptor; bio-accumulative in wildlife.
23.   P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE (PPD)
Function: Hair colorant.
Present in: Hair dye, shampoo, hair spray. Restricted in Canada.
Health concerns: Immune system and respiratory toxicant; probable neurotoxin; eczema; possible nervous system, skin, kidney and liver toxicant; irritant; may trigger asthma and gastritis; shown to cause cancer in animal studies.
24.   PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Function: Solvent, penetration enhancer, conditions skin, controls viscosity and keeps products from melting in high or freezing when it is cold.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin and increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream; animal studies show reproductive effects, positive mutation results, brain and nervous system effects and endocrine disruption.
25.   SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE
Function: Surfactant, penetration enhancer.
Present in: Many cosmetics and personal care products, read labels.
Health concerns: Alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deep into the skin, increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream; Irritant; animal studies show sense organ effects.
26.   TALC
Function: Absorbs moisture, anti-caking agent, bulking agent.
Present in: Blush, powder, eye shadow, baby powder, deodorant.
Health concerns:  Carcinogen; link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer; talc particles are similar to asbestos particles and data suggests that it can cause tumors in the lungs; probable respiratory toxin;
27.   TOLUENE
Function: Antioxidant, solvent to improve adhesion and gloss.
Present in: Nail polish and hair dye.
Health concerns: Liver toxin; probable developmental, nervous system and respiratory toxin; possible cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, renal and sense organ toxin; possible carcinogen and reproductive toxin; irritant; highly flammable;
28.   TRICLOSAN
Function: Anti-bacterial agent, deodorant, preservative, biocide. Reduces and controls bacterial contamination on the hands and on treated products.
Present in: Antibacterial soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, face wash and cleaning supplies. Restricted in Japan and Canada.
Health concerns: Probable endocrine disrupter and carcinogen; easily bio-accumulates to dangerous levels; irritant; animal studies show reproductive and other broad systematic effects; potentially contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other significant health problems; studies have shown it can actually induce cell death when used in mouth washes.
29.   TREITHANOLAMINE (TEA)
Function: Fragrance ingredient, pH adjuster, surfactant.
Present in: Hand & body lotion, shaving creams, soap, shampoo, bath powders and moisturizer.
Health concerns: Immune system toxicant; possible carcinogen; animal studies show endocrine disruption; may trigger asthma; forms carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds if mixed with nitrosating agents.
30. 1,4 DIOXANE
Function: Penetration enhancer
Present in: Body lotion, moisturizers, sunless tanning products, baby soap, anti-aging products..
Health concerns: EPA classifies it as a probable carcinogen found in 46 of 100 personal care products marketed as organic or natural, and the National Toxicology Program considers it a known animal carcinogen.  Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to high levels of 1,4 dioxane has caused vertigo, drowsiness, headache, anorexia and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs of humans.  It may also irritate the skin.
This is a list of 30 chemical ingredients that may be linked to cancer. Many have been banned by the European Union on suspicion of their toxicity. What you may not know is that many of the biggest manufacturers of these products reformulate without these chemicals for the European market, but continue to manufacture with these potentially dangerous chemicals for the US market. Our hope is that you will use this list to help navigate your new purchases, and use your buying power to protect your right to health and a healthy  world. This list was compiled by Teens Turning Green based on a survey of over 500 teens who named the products and brands they were using daily. In collaboration with a chemist, the ubiquitous chemicals were investigated for their potential harm to our health.