Study Reports Skin Moisturizer Causes Cancerous Tumors!

A skin moisturizer caused an increased rate of cancer tumor formation according to a tumor biology study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in August of 2008. The results came as no surprise to some people.

Experts from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and other public safety organizations have been trying to warn consumers for years about the dangers lurking in their medicine cabinets. Ingredients commonly found in moisturizers and other skincare products are known to cause cancer, cellular mutations, nerve damage, organ failure and birth defects.

Due to lax cosmetic industry regulations, companies are allowed to include all but a handful of highly toxic ingredients in their formulas. The ingredients are allowed because of an old mistaken belief.

Although some traditional healers have known better for thousands of years, relatively modern scientific theory held that cosmetic ingredients could not penetrate through the skin's outer layers.

Many major cosmetic companies still adhere to that theory. That's why the companies have been allowed to use toxic ingredients. Why not change the formula?

It's hard to say why companies steadfastly refuse to change their formulas. Money probably has a lot to do with it.

The retail price of a skin moisturizer is determined by several factors. The cost of the ingredients is one factor. The cost of advertising and marketing is another. If the product is sold by a retailer, rather than directly through the manufacturer, there is the cost of mark-up.

In order to change their formulas, many cosmetic companies would have to start over from square one. That means they would have to do the necessary testing, research and development. That would add more to their costs. Prices would go up. Customers might stop buying.

What are the most hazardous cosmetic ingredients? Researchers used more than one skin moisturizer in the 2008 study. They contained different ingredients. Some of the compounds that may have contributed to the tumor formation are parabens and sunscreens.

Petrolatum was present in all of the moisturizers. According to the EWG, the biggest petrolatum concern is the contamination risk. Petrolatum is a byproduct created when crude oil is converted to gasoline. During the manufacturing process, cancer-causing chemicals may contaminate the petrolatum. Although most companies use acceptable purification methods, there's just no way to be sure. A chemical assay is not required before distribution.

Parabens have been found in tumors before. Some sunscreens are known to penetrate through the skin's outer layers and cause cellular mutations that can lead to the formation of a cancer cell.

So, what kind of skin moisturizer is safe? There are lots of safe creams and lotions on the market. In order to be sure, you can evaluate the label of ingredients or look for a manufacturer that has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics.

Companies signing the Compact agree to adhere to the European Union's stricter cosmetic regulations. Their products do not contain ingredients that are known to cause cancer, cellular mutations, nerve damage, organ failure or birth defects. You can buy a skin moisturizer from those companies with confidence.

Valerie Rosenbaum is an expert on the subject of natural skin care. She prefers products that are loaded with natural nutrients that nourish the skin to health. The natural skin care products she uses and recommends reduce fine lines and wrinkles with Functional Keratin & Cynergy TK. To learn more visit her website.