» Consumers use as many as 25 different cosmetics products in a day and up to 70% of what is applied to the skin is believed to be absorbed into the body.

» The chemicals in any one consumer product alone are unlikely to cause harm. But unfortunately, we are repeatedly exposed to industrial chemicals from many different sources on a daily basis, including cosmetics and personal care products.

» Many of these chemicals have found their way into our bodies, our breast milk and our children, and diseases linked to synthetic chemicals - including breast cancer, testicular cancer and reproductive problems - are on the rise.

» One of every 100 products on the market contains ingredients certified by government authorities as probable human carcinogens (any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer). It includes shampoos, lotions, make-up foundations, and lip balms.

What is the industry doing about it?
Well, cosmetics companies are smart and innovative enough to make products that do not jeopardize our health. In fact, many are already required to make safer products in Europe, showing that they can make the same safer products available for all of us.

More than 450 companies have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics [example], a pledge to phase out chemicals of concern and replace them with safer alternatives.

But not everyone is in the same boat
While some companies make products that are safe to eat, other companies choose to use known human carcinogens or developmental toxins like coal tar and lead acetate.

When risky chemicals are used in cosmetics, the stakes are high. These are the base ingredients of the product, just as flour is an ingredient in bread. These chemicals are found in percent levels in personal care products, nearly all easily penetrate the skin, and some we ingest directly from our lips or hands.

At Tanamera, we're all natural products
That is why in Tanamera, we believe that apart from bringing you active botanicals ingredients in effective dosage, the base ingredients that makes up the whole formula must also be safe and mild.

Our bases are all naturally derived from plant ingredients and are mild and non toxic.
Why Choose Tanamera personal care items?
Tanamera personal care items contain:

1. Natural actives from botanical complexes. All botanical complexes have been studied for its efficacy.

2. All personal care products uses high percentages of botanical complex compared to most products in the market. Most “natural” products contains very small amount of botanicals.

3. Natural base from plant ingredients to support the natural actives. Generally, many cosmetics touted as “natural” turn out to be purely an advertising gimmick.

4. Pure and mild to the hair and skin.

5. No artificial fragrance, no colouring, no toxic chemicals, no artificial preservatives

6. Uses a natural preservatives complex patented in the USA made from herbal extracts and essential oils

7. Very competitively priced considering its quality.

Safety of ingredients in our products are the highest priority and we will remove ANY ingredients that have been found unsafe by researchers in a heartbeat. However, if you have any concerns about any of Tanamera’s ingredients, please e-mail us for clarifications.

As a general guideline, these are the most common toxic chemicals found in the average cosmetics and personal care preparations.

DEA (diethanolamine)
This is a synthetic solvent, detergent and humectant widely used in brake fluid, industrial degreasers and antifreeze.

It is also found in:
-hair dyes,
-lotions,
-creams,
-bubble baths,
-liquid dishwasher detergents and
-laundry soaps.

It can be harmful for the liver, kidneys and pancreas and may cause cancer in various organs. It has also been known to irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. It poses health risks especially to infants and young children. It forms nitrosamines known to be carcinogens and causes allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. It is hazardous and toxic.

Formaldehyde (Quaternium-15, DMDM Hydantoin, MDM Hydantoin, Methanal)
This is a colourless gas with vapours that are extremely irritating to mucous membranes. Used in nail polishes and hardeners, soaps, cosmetics and hair growing products, this substance is often hidden under the name DMDM hydantoin or MDM hydantoin.

Its trade name is formalin. It can potentially cause dermatitis and ingestion and can produce severe abdominal pain, internal bleeding, vertigo, a loss of ability to urinate and coma.

It is very toxic when inhaled, a severe skin irritant and a suspected carcinogen. Its use in cosmetics is banned in Japan and Sweden.

Fragrance
Fragrance is present in most deodorants, shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, and body care and baby care products. Many of the compounds in fragrances are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic.

"Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation.

Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes."

HYDROQUINONE
A possible carcinogen and probable neurotoxin and skin sensitizer, hydroquinone can also cause a skin disease called ochronosis, which leaves irreversible black-blue lesions on skin. Found in some skin lightening products and moisturizers.

Imidazolidinyl Urea
Imidazolidinyl urea is the second most identified cosmetic preservative causing contact dermatitis according to The American Academy of Dermatology.
Imidazolidinyl urea is a formaldehyde-releasing preservative used in many cosmetics, toiletries, lotions and pharmaceutical preparations and is often found in preparations labelled as ‘hypoallergenic’.

Try to avoid other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives also known by the following names:
Q- uaternium-15,
- 2-bromo-2nitropropane-1,
- 3-diol,
- diazolidinyl urea.

Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer.

Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.

Mineral oil(paraffin, paraffin oil, paraffinum liquidum)
Baby oil is 100% mineral oil. This commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin just like plastic wrap.

The skin's natural immune barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The skin's ability to release toxins is impeded by this 'plastic wrap,' which can promote acne and other disorders.

This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age.

Parabens (Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, Butyl, Parabens)
This is a term used for butyl-ethyl-germa and propyl paraben. It can cause dermatitis and allergic reactions. They are the most common preservatives used in a variety of personal care products, especially creams and lotions. It is petroleum-based.

Phenoxyethanol
This substance can be found under the names of arsol, dowanol EPH, phenyl cellosolve, phenoxethol, phenoxetol and phenonip. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative added to cosmetics, ointments, eardrops and vaccines.

It is commonly used in toiletries and wipes, even in some products that claim to be natural. The manufacturers of this chemical describe the toxicology of phenoxyethanol as: -

“Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. May cause reproductive defects. Severe eye and skin irritant. “

Some research that was conducted by S. Bohn, A. J. Bircher in 2001 (3) at the Allergy Unit of the Dept. of Dermatology at University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland, found some hypersensitivity to phenoxyethanol.

Including urticaria, hand eczema as well as generalized eczema in an 18-month-old boy within 24 hours after receiving the DPT (diphtheria, pertussus, tetanus) vaccine. Whilst the researchers consider the reactions to be very rare, it brings into question the suitability of this chemical as an ingredient in products used on the skin of babies.

Polyquaternium
This is a substance that can be carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic and may cause adverse reactions like dermatitis and fatal drug allergies (anaphylactic shock). It may also cause increased sensitivity to muscle relaxants.

Propylene Glycol (PG):
As a 'surfactant' or wetting agent and solvent, this ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products.

It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shaves, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpastes. It is also used in food processing. Because of its ability to quickly penetrate the skin, the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with this toxic substance.

The Material Safety Data Sheets warn against skin contact, as PG has systemic consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Consumers are not protected nor is there a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than that in most industrial applications.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES):
Used as detergents and surfactants, these closely related compounds are found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers.

Yet both SLS and SLES are used more widely as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpastes, hair conditioner and about 90% of al shampoos and products that foam.

Mark Fearer in an article, Dangerous Beauty, says "...in tests, animals that were exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, along with depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and corrosion and death." According to the American College of Toxicology states, "...both SLS and SLES can cause malformation in children's eyes.

Other research has indicated SLS may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin. Skin layers may separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties. It is possibly the most dangerous of all ingredients in personal care products.

Research has shown that SLS when combined with other chemicals can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which causes the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate-contaminated food." According to the American College of Toxicology report, "SLS stays in the body for up to five days...

Other studies have indicated that SLS easily penetrates through the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain. This poses serious questions regarding its potential health threat through its use in shampoos, cleansers and toothpaste."

Triethanolamine (TEA)
This can cause severe facial dermatitis, irritation and sensitivity. It is used as a pH adjuster. It reacts with a specific acid to form oil in water emulsions, typically lotions.

It may contain nitrosamines that are known carcinogens. Its main toxic effect in animals is due to its over-alkalinity. It is used as a coating agent for fruits and vegetables.