List of Chemicals to AVOID:

FRAGRANCE - chemical concoctions that are not required to be listed on the label. manufacturers can legally hide hundreds of ingredients in fragrance or parfum - it is called trade secret in the industry. More than 75% of the time if you have fragrance, you have legally hidden phthalates (THAL ates) . .. if you have not heard about phthalates yet, you will - they are a known endocrine disruptors, and are linked with birth defects, breast cancer, infertility, liver cancer, diabetes, obesity, and now with autism and ADHD in first and third trimesters of pregnancy by Dr Landrigan and his team at Mt Sinai, Childrens Environmental Health Center. PARABENS - are also known endocrine disruptors, and are the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Methyl paraben combines benzoic acid with the methyl group of chemicals, and is highly toxic . Studies have linked these endocrine disruptors, which mimic estrogen, with breast cancer. While more conclusive studies need to be done, we recommend to avoid all parabens. A study at university of Chicago (Sept, 2011) linked BPA and methyplaraben with breast cancer, and also showed that the combination rendered tamoxifin ineffective. TRICLOSAN - is the active ingredient in anti bacterial products. It is registered with the government as a pesticide, and is a cousin to agent orange. It also an known endocrine disruptor. Triclosan (and its chemical cousin triclocarbon) is believed to disrupt thyroid function and contribute to liver and inhalation toxicity. OXYBENZONE and OCTINOXATE - these are chemical UV ray filters that are also known endocrine disruptors, found in many sunscreens and spf products. You will want to use zinc oxide based sunscreens instead. PETROLATUM - is a derivative of petroleum, and is an endocrine disruptor and carcinogen. Important note- Did you notice that ALL SIX OF THE ABOVE ARE ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS? Many products that you use daily have one or more endocrine disruptors, and some will have all of them! They are very important to avoid, because the endocrine system regulates ALL biological processes in the body including development of the brain and nervous system, growth and function of the reproduction system, metabolism and blood sugar levels, ovaries, testes, pituitary, thyroid and the adrenal glands. (Natural News) The World Health Organization and the UN recently released a report that called endocrine disruptors a Global Threat. Small amounts of endocrine disruptors matter, especially to the developing fetus. PEGs - (polyethylene glycol) - are petroleum byproducts. During manufacturing process carcinogenic contamination is created - 1,4 dioxane - which is a known human carcinogen, with liver and kidney effects. SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS) and its less toxic (but still offensive)cousin, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are detergents that create suds or foam. Both are considered carcinogens and SLES is sometimes contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which is considered carcinogenic by the FDA. You will never see 1,4 dioxane on your label, as companies are also not required to list carcinogenic contaminants in your products.

INGREDIENTS THAT END IN -eth, like ceteareth, triceteareth, etc. Also carry the contamination concern for 1,4 dioxane. *Important NOTE - all THREE of the above ingredients carry carcinogenic contaminant concerns created during manufacturing for 1,4 DIOXANE. The government allows 10 ppm (parts per million) in any one product, but no one is testing. If we handed you a vial of 50 ppm of a known human carcinogen would you rub it all over your skin and then you childs? 1,4 dioxane can be stripped for pennies, and must be done for any product exported to EU - dont we deserve the same in US? RETINYL PALMITATE - the FDA released a report that states the retinyl palmitate in the presence of sunlight enhances skin cancer lesions by 21%. If you look at your labels, you will see this in most sunscreens and many moisturizers. NANOPARTICLES - Speaking of sunscreens, I just shared with you that #4 of chemicals to avoid are the chemical sunscreens, but it is important to note that most manufacturers of mineral sunscreens are using nanoparticles of zinc and titanium. These Nanoparticles have been known to cross the cell barrier and drive into organs, including the brain in humans. There is no way of knowing what size particle they are using unless they tell you. In Europe manufacturers must list nanoparticles on the label, but not in the US. Ava uses only NON nanoparticle zinc oxide. ALUMINUM and metals - these are bio-accumulative, meaning they store in your fat cells and accumulate, and are very hard to get rid of. Many deodorants contain aluminum as an active ingredient. DIETHANOLOMINE (DEA), (and COCAMIDE DEA, LAURAMIDE DEA) are responsible for lather in shampoos and consistency in lotions. DEA reacts with other ingredients in personal care products to become the extremely carcinogenic nitrosodiethanolamine. Beware of other ethanolamines like triethanolamine (TEA) and monoethamolamine (MEA). Found in sunscreens and many other cosmetic products. FORMALDEHYDE RELEASING NIGREDIENTS - DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, DMDM HYDANTOIN, QUATERNIUM) - found in most personal care products, formaldehyde can cause symptoms from allergic reactions to dermatitis, joint pains and headaches, to cancer and immune dysfunction. This carcinogenic contaminant has been banned in Sweden and Japan. MINERAL OIL - found in many moisturizers, mineral oil disrupts your normal skin respiration by blocking oxygen. TALC belonging to the same family as asbestos, talc is dangerous to inhale and has been linked to ovarian cancer if used in the genital area. SYNTHETIC COLOR/DYES - Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5 & 6, Red 33 - this is coal tar. It is carcinogenic. PROPYLENE GLYCOL - a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. Has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions, and has been linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive issues, neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption.

If you go home and throw out everything with one or more of these ingredients, you will not have much left. Ava is not willing to be a guinea pig on all of these, and neither should you and your family.