Propylene Glycol

PART TWO OF BIOÉTHIQUE'S VIDEO SERIES ON TOXIC COSMETIC INGREDIENTS

Protect yourself and your family from inexpensive and

harmful ingredients

Propylene Glycol is a cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. In the skin and hair, propylene glycol works as a humescent, which causes retention of moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water and is known to increase penetration of toxins into the skin. Companies use Propylene glycol because it is a very inexpensive ingredient which adds a "slickness" to cosmetic products. The Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as it is a strong skin irritant which can cause contact dermatitis and can also cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

At Bioéthique we believe that education is the best form of empowerment. Enjoy this second installment on harmful ingredients commonly found in skin care products, as hosted by Anjoli Rahkit, Bioéthique's education spokesperson.

Toxic Cosmetic Ingredients - Mineral Oil

PART ONE OF BIOÉTHIQUE'S VIDEO SERIES ON TOXIC COSMETIC INGREDIENTS

Did you know that over 5000 chemicals are allowed in cosmetics and that over 50% of those ingredients are absorbed directly into your bloodstream? At Bioéthique we believe that education is the best form of empowerment. Enjoy this first installment on harmful ingredients commonly found in skin care products, as hosted by Anjoli Rahkit, Bioéthique's education spokesperson.

Ingredient Quality is Everything

NOT ALL INGREDIENTS ARE CREATED EQUALLY

There is a critical and crucial difference between primary (first) plant extracts - whether they are oils, essential oils or whole plant - and extracts which are from further down the extraction chain. Take, for example, an olive oil. The first cold press (extra virgin) extraction of those olives is the highest quality oil possible. That is because all of the vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other beneficial phyto-chemicals are still intact. Each subsequent extraction of those same olives, results in an oil with fewer and fewer of these beneficial properties. Once high heat and solvents are applied in order to squeeze out the last drops of oil, there are hardly, if any, nutrients remaining at all.

The analogy of olive oil extraction holds true for every plant extract and essential oil on the market. The only extracts which have antioxidant, anti inflammatory and nutritional benefits are the first extracts. These extracts, when used in cosmetics or supplements, are usually referred to as therapeutic or medical quality.

Most of the oils and plant extracts sold to the cosmetic industry are high heat and solvent extracted (otherwise known as refined). This is because these types of ingredients are very inexpensive. In fact, the largest purchaser of yellow grease (refined post consumer frier oil) is the cosmetic industry!

The high heat and solvents used to extract or refine oils also alters their molecular structure, resulting in a large oil molecule which does not absorb readily into the skin. These oils tend to “sit” on the skinʼs surface and clog pores. Applying these kinds of oils to the skin on a regular basis can result in a build-up of toxins and can lead to acne and premature skin aging.

Raw first cold pressed oils penetrate the skin rapidly, imparting all of their nutrients to repair and restore skin health. The same holds true of other plant extracts and essential oils. If it is not the first plant extract, then it is an ingredient only in name.