Cancer in a can?

[muskokabrian]

With "mens" cancers on the rise, I wonder and worry about the impact of the products we put on our faces.. just one of the many reasons for switching from the "Frankenfoams" made by Proctor and Gamble to natural shave soaps and creams.

Skin Deep is a website devoted listing the dangers of the ingredients used in cosmetic and skin care products. http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Here is an example of their review of a Gillette product:



GILLETTE SERIES SHAVING CREAM, COOL WAVE
last updated: 03/15/09 brand: Gillette by Procter & Gamble
SCORE


6


moderate hazard (out of 10)


72%


data gap
BUY ONLINE/BETTER PRODUCTS

see online retailers

62% of shaving cream (men's)s have lower concerns
COMPANY POLICIES

Compact for Safe Cosmetics
Non-signer: This company has not signed the Compact.

Animal Testing Policy
This company conducts animal tests.

Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to one or more ingredients in this product -- not the product itself -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

Ingredients in this product are linked to:
yes Cancer
no Developmental/reproductive toxicity
no Violations, restrictions & warnings
yes Allergies/immunotoxicity
yes Other concerns for ingredients used in this product:
Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes


Ingredients from packaging: WATER, PALMITIC ACID, TRIETHANOLAMINE, ISOBUTANE AND) PROPANE (AND) BUTANE, LAURETH-23, MINERAL OIL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL DIMETHICONE COPOLYOL, FRAGRANCE, LAURAMIDE DEA, PEG-150 DISTEARATE, BHT, ALOE VERA GEL.

Directions from packaging: Shake can before use. Hold can upright. Additional directions illustrated on can.

Warnings from packaging: Avoid spraying toward open flame. Contents under pressure. Do not puncture or incinerate. Keep from extreme cold. Do not store at temperatures above 120 degrees fahrenheit. Use only as directed. Keep out of reach of children.

 

[texquill]

The report quoted by the OP on Gillette Cool Wave Shaving Cream is a good reason to stay away from goo.

However, at some point, a guy's got to gut it up, say "damn the torpedoes" and load his face up with a good shaving soap, notwithstanding the possible carcinogenic effects of tallow!

 

[CCMphysician]

I think it should also be noted that part of the "rise of men's cancers" is due to the fact that men are living longer. With the exception of one man, I believe that the rate is one death per man. Instead of dying from dehydration secondary to dysentery and vomiting, TB, and farm equipment accidents, we now live longer. Living longer means we now have the "chance" to live long enough to die from cancer when previously we never lived to that age in the first place.

-CCM

 

[cfriend]

I think it should also be noted that part of the "rise of men's cancers" is due to the fact that men are living longer. With the exception of one man, I believe that the rate is one death per man. Instead of dying from dehydration secondary to dysentery and vomiting, TB, and farm equipment accidents, we now live longer. Living longer means we now have the "chance" to live long enough to die from cancer when previously we never lived to that age in the first place.

-CCM

Interesting.

 

[CCMphysician]

Interesting.

That's not what Dr. House would say!

-CCM

 

[verdict]

I use that website to check out the ingredients of any skincare product I might consider buying. I've avoided a lot of potentially "harmful" products going through that database.

However, a lot of shaving creams and soaps aren't completely safe either. Here is a small list of ingredients.

As a consumer, you have the right to know what goes into every product and you may choose which ones to use.

Exercise that right!

 

[WhosYerBob]

That's part of the reason why I just use homemade shaving soap now - a short, all natural list of ingredients that my face doesn't react to.

 

[TiberiuR]

A similar site, but in german, can be useful:
http://www.codecheck.info/. Use google translate if you want to read it in english

 

[Drubbing]

I think it should also be noted that part of the "rise of men's cancers" is due to the fact that men are living longer. With the exception of one man, I believe that the rate is one death per man. Instead of dying from dehydration secondary to dysentery and vomiting, TB, and farm equipment accidents, we now live longer. Living longer means we now have the "chance" to live long enough to die from cancer when previously we never lived to that age in the first place.

-CCM

A bit alarmist on the goo, I think. Are there any stats for burnt toast - that's a carcinogen too.

Given your moniker CCM, I take you are indeed a Critical Care Medico, so I'll take that as insider info. I'm in the healthcare field too, and would agree.

Also, it's often said that people die of cancer more than they ever did in the modern world, but I think, not only is the above true, but in years gone by diagnosis was either poor, such illnesses were little discussed, and public awareness of the variety of cancers out there was minimal to non existent.

I think that the rise in all sorts of cancers has got plenty to do with both longevity and increasingly poor lifestyle. But it is also a range of diseases that do not discriminate; my wife's best friend succumbed to bowel cancer in 6 months at the age of 44, despite being a vegetarian non drinker/smoker who exercised very regularly, and generally avoided all sorts of health risks.

 

[SRock]

That's part of the reason why I just use homemade shaving soap now - a short, all natural list of ingredients that my face doesn't react to.

In theory this sounds great but you always have to be cautious when dealing with small time businesses as they may not always have the safety fail safes in place to prevent things like product inconsistencies or worse yet chemical burns.

 

[dmachine]

The important questions are at what dosage and over how long do these chemicals cause cancer? I find it hard to believe that such small amounts over shorts periods would be harmful.

 

[SRock]

The important questions are at what dosage and over how long do these chemicals cause cancer? I find it hard to believe that such small amounts over shorts periods would be harmful.

Exactly! Even protein one of life's building blocks will kill you if you consume too much at one time.

 

[Drubbing]

The important questions are at what dosage and over how long do these chemicals cause cancer? I find it hard to believe that such small amounts over shorts periods would be harmful.

Not only that, what contexts are these ingredients harmful in - if ingested or with topical usage, in their raw state or stabilised in formulation with other ingredients?

It's not as simple as just listing ingredients that are potentially harmful, and that website appears to contain a fair bit of info that just doesn't ring true regards what companies can and can't do with ingredients.

I'm not flag waving for P&G, it's just these sorts of posts come up quite regularly, and are unnecessarily alarmist.

 

[muskokabrian]

When we're talking about something that's wet and sits on our face every day, I don't think there is much question that our body is going to absorb whatever chemicals happen to be in it just as our body absorbs nicotine from the Nicoderm patch.

Some of the products and the ingredients they list on that website are rated as potentially more dangerous than others. I don't know how seriously the danger is but personally it's enough of a concern that I'd rather avoid those products and go with the more natural ones. I don't have any concerns with products made by EJ, Speick, MWF, Conk or most of the companies making tubes or tubs of soap and creams. It seems to me that it's the propellants and preservatives that are most concerning.

 

[Unknownsoldier]

Also as said earlier the rise in mens cancer is a big part of the modern age we live in, mainly because of the prostate... if you live long enough every single man will get prostate cancer, at least this is what an oncologist told me. Having a history of male cancer etc. in the family I'm terrified, however I try to control the paranoia, however my last can of goo will be used and then binned... Thanks for the site, I'll check some bits out...

Thanks,
Tom

 

[CCMphysician]

Also, it's often said that people die of cancer more than they ever did in the modern world, but I think, not only is the above true, but in years gone by diagnosis was either poor, such illnesses were little discussed, and public awareness of the variety of cancers out there was minimal to non existent.

I think that the rise in all sorts of cancers has got plenty to do with both longevity and increasingly poor lifestyle. But it is also a range of diseases that do not discriminate; my wife's best friend succumbed to bowel cancer in 6 months at the age of 44, despite being a vegetarian non drinker/smoker who exercised very regularly, and generally avoided all sorts of health risks.

Those are all valid and good points as well.

-CCM

 

[Drubbing]

When we're talking about something that's wet and sits on our face every day, I don't think there is much question that our body is going to absorb whatever chemicals happen to be in it just as our body absorbs nicotine from the Nicoderm patch.

Massive assumptions being made, besides that particular product is formulated to be absorbed.

And again, absorption through topical usage is vastly different to ingestion. Water absorbs into the skin, and if you drink enough, it can kill you.

Natural doesn't always mean benign, but does often mean exempt from testing.

If any those products were demonstrated to be seriously harmful in their formulated state do you really thin they'd be allowed to sell them?

I simply don't trust sites like that, particularly given they have a selling agenda for 'friendly' products.

 

[luvmysuper]

I am no fan of canned goo by any stretch of the imagination, but we have become a society that is afraid of its own shadow.
Germophobes abound as evidenced by all of the antibacterial products for sale, our children have a weakened immune system from all of the pampering,
and EVERYTHING causes Cancer.
Just live your life. Do things in moderation and be happy and quit worrying about the meteor that might crash into your house.
Oh, and try to ignore the alarmists with their personal agendas who want to blackmail and pressure the entire world into doing things the way THEY think it ought to be done.


"Saliva causes cancer, but only if swallowed in small amounts over a long period of time."
--George Carlin

 

[Baloosh]

On that site, the Art of Shaving creams get a 5/10.
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/pr...ream,_Unscented,_Sandalwood,_Lemon,_Lavender/

The Kiss My Face creams get a 7/10, except the fragrance-free version, which gets a 5/10.
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/wordsearch_free.php?hq=kiss+my+face+shaving&go=go

I doubt the sky is falling nearly as quickly as it is, according to this website.

 

[Sue]

I have to voice an opinion here as a very "small business" not being mindful of safety practices. All the ingredients we purchase and use are cosmetic grade, tested & approved for sale. Bigger doesn't necessarily mean better either in quality, cleanliness or awareness of safety. Many of these sites have an agenda. If you follow the money trail, most of them lead back to their products for sale.

If you have dinner at my houise, I won't poison you with the soup or the entree, even though I am not well known as a cook.

I'll shut up now.
Sue