The Lowdown on PEG's, the #1 Nasty
- CasuallyCourt
- Jan 22, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 22, 2021
🦋 Ingredient Rundown 🦋
(Continue below for a thick-er review)
Name: Polyethylene Glycol (Aka PEG-2 ,PEG-6, PEG-8, PEG-40, PEG-100 etc.)
Base: Petroleum
Benefits: Thickener, softener, moisture-carrying & a solvent
Cations: Possible high amounts of ethylene oixde (human carcinogen), Used in WW1 nerve gas, Genotoxicity, Irritation & systemic toxicity possible on broken skin, Possible harm to the nervous system, May interfere with human development (developmental toxicant), Difficult to degrade = negative environmental impact, & Penetration enhancer (allowing for greater absorption of the product, such as harmful ingredients), Chemical impurities pose a health risk, Can contain Heavy Metals (Lead, Copper, etc.), Can lead to Cancer, Can lead to Kidney Failure, Can cause Lung & Eye irritation, Hives, Dermatitis.
Found in (COMMON): Baby Lotion, Toothpaste, Moisturizer, Foundation, Lotion, Shampoo, Hair Dye, Hair Mousse, Deodorant, Lipsticks/Glosses, Blush, Body Scrubs, Shaving cream, Surface Disinfection products, Antifreeze, Paint, e.g.
Deemed safe for use?: Not on damaged skin, deemed mostly safe in Canada.
Personal recommendation?: Avoid!
WWI Nerve Gas in our skincare & makeup products?! Mustard gas is not something most of us would voluntarily put on our face or anywhere near our bodies - but unfortunately it's hidden in everyday items.
This little number seems to be in almost everything, from toothpaste to baby lotion and it can be certainly easy to miss as they're placed anywhere in a slurry of other unfamiliar ingredients, particular since they can call it a few different things - Polyethylene Glycol, aka PEG-6, PEG-8, PEG-100 and so on.
What do these numbers mean? Well, it's usually based of the molecular weight, and the lower the number the easier it is for the PEG to penetrate your skin. But, my advice is it's best to just avoid them altogether if you can. There are alternatives, I'm using them all myself.
As you can see above, the ingredient & cautions list is unusually high, as this product was regulated so long ago that it's simply been overlooked and but still overused, unnecessarily so too. I believe this product should be regulated and restricted in use, especially since alternatives exist, what's the point in the harming ourselves over this?
It's a contradicting ingredient, as it can cause skin irritation, dermatitis & hives but is often found in 'gentle' cleansers, 'sensitive-skin lotion', and other misleading titles - because these products should have nothing but protective, healing ingredients, and anything less is not worth your investment, let them learn (the brands) that you care about what goes into your body - always read the label.
Make positive investments towards your inner health first, and beauty will follow - organic ingredients are usually the safest bet, but if you can, just try to avoid this little (big) nasty. After all... it's Mustard Gas, and you are worth more than a product and it's 'cult' status.
Love,
Cc
(References:
All artwork & edits by me.)
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