subject: Review of Toiletries Supplied to Passengers by a leading Airline [print this page] Review of Toiletries Supplied to Passengers by a leading Airline
The flight from Sydney to San Francisco, in business class, in February was a wonderful start to our holiday.
The cabin crew were brilliant and the food and service outstanding.
But then there was the toiletries bag! I used to love the cute little bottles, and looked forward to seeing what was in them. It reminded me of childhood lucky dips!
The bag itself was in a fabric designed by iconic Australian designer Florence Broadhurst. Regrettably, that is where the Australian content ended.
American company whose name you can find at my web site as I am unable to reveal them here, supplied the toiletries contents. Although the enclosed leaflet boasted natural ingredients' the list read like a chemists laboratory.
The warning label advised the Vitamin E Face Moisturizer was for Adult use only; if irritation occurs, discontinue use; avoid contact with the eyes, if contact occurs, rinse eyes with water!
Surely a natural' moisturizer could be used around the eyes? I have highlighted the main ingredients: -
After purified water, came
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, (1) a mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acid. This chemical has never been tested for safety in cosmetics by the industry panel. And although it is expected to be low hazard, there are data gaps and it is expected to be an environmental toxin.
Glycerin is a cheap humectant that draws moisture from the atmosphere to the skin in humidity over 65%. In humidity below that (such as in an aircraft at 35,000 ft!) glycerin actually draws moisture from the deeper layers of the skin (causing dehydration) to be held on the surface by a barrier cream.
In concentrated solutions it can be irritating to the mucous membranes, and if you consider the first 3 to 4 ingredients on the list usually make up 90% to 95% of the entire product, the glycerin in the moisturiser could be concentrated and the reason for the warning regarding the eyes.
Dimethicone is a silicone emollient and one of the barrier creams used in this product to trap the moisture on the surface of the skin. It coats like plastic wrap, preventing the skin from breathing or eliminating toxins. Some synthetic emollients are known to cause tumors in laboratory animals and accumulate in the liver and lymph nodes. As they are non-biodegradable, they also have a negative environmental impact.
Cyclopentasiloxane is the 2nd barrier cream, although considered to be a low to moderate hazard (2), it has a 79% data gap meaning it has not been tested for safety by the industry panel for use in cosmetics. The Environment Canada Domestic Substance List classifies this chemical as expected to be harmful or toxic. Emerging concerns is that it is an endocrine disruptor at moderate doses.
Butylene Glycol is a petroleum derivative that penetrates the skin and can weaken the protein and cellular structure. It can irritate the eyes and cause dermatitis on the skin.
There are two PEGs, which are potentially carcinogenic petroleum ingredients. These ingredients can alter and reduce the skins' natural moisture factor. This could increase the appearance of ageing and leave the skin more vulnerable to bacteria.
Methylisothiazolinone (3) is a known human immune system toxicant with a moderate hazard warning. It causes allergies and comes with restrictions on its' use. The Cosmetic Ingredients Review Assessments sites it as strong evidence of a human skin toxicant.
Disodium EDTA is a penetrationenhancer, allowing for deeper penetration of the other ingredients!
I haven't listed the entire contents, and I have referenced just a few so as to assure you I have scientific backup on my findings and research. I am sure your patience would be severely tried if I got carried away.
The other products in the pack, Vitamin B5 Hand Treatment and the Lip Moisturizer listed the same type of synthetic chemicals that can be dangerous, as they have not been fully tested for their safety.
All the products carried the same warnings for use and the lip moisturizer contained several chemicals that had been ethoxylated.
They can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane during the manufacturing process. Ingredients with eth' and oxy' in the name are an indication of this process.
Apart from the fact that our national carrier had gone outside the country for their passenger products, they are not doing our complexions or possibly our health any favours!
The references to the ingredients and names of the companies are available at my web site, please see the Author Bio.
