Sources used EWG, WebMD, Cosmetic Ingredient Review other sites have links shared. We will be going from highest EWG scores to lowest.
*Note this is the first of the Monat Products I will review the ingredients.
Monat Market Partner's are now using non-toxic while having ingredients that according to the EWG are KNOWN human toxicant or allergen. They, Market Partners like to say since the amount is so small it doesn't count. But if you need so little it doesn't count, why use it?
Not on EWG
Soyamidopropylamine Oxide
EWG does not have a score for this ingredient.
Soyamidopropylamine Oxide was an ingredient that took a little time to find online. I did see an MSDS sheet from colonialchem.com for this ingredient.
Hazards Flammable Liquid Catagory: 3
Acute Toxicity Catagory: 4 Harmful if swallowed
Skin SensitizerCatagory:1 May cause allergic reaction
Eye Damage Catagory:1 Causes severe eye damage
Information on the components
H302 Acute Toxicity Oral, Category 4
H318 Serious Eye Damage
pH 6.5-7.5
Skinsafeproducts.com feels it is safe and so one might conclude that certain amounts within cosmetic use it would be safe.
EWG Score 8
Fragrance:
Cheeseslave says:
Since I have had to write several post pointing out lies and misinformation from Mrs. Michaels I simply DO NOT believe that Monat honored her with a copy of ingredients in fragrances while they said no to so many other people. The truth is I don't trust the source and given that Monat looks for chances to sue those who speak out and try to catch them in a lie I will refrain from using an unreliable source for my information.
EWG=8
Fragrance fragrances can mask over a 1,000 ingredients and for my more sensitive clients I always suggest they avoid this word. However, as many personal care products contain that word I will disclose that I have many products that I personally use and sell that contain fragrances.
-What Cheeseslave says whenever you point out that her products are not non-toxic is that the toxics are at the bottom of the list so there is very little of the "toxic" ingredient. So, since it is only a little bit, the toxic does not count. The truth is that Mrs. Michaels although she claims so many things on her blog she is trying to make money and so she will ALWAYS make excuses for saying something is non-toxic and that something is 100% safe while she works over time to make claims about vaccines. Mrs. Michaels is not about the truth she is about money. So, let's examine what non-toxic means in my opinion. If a product claims non-toxic than I expect when I go through their ingredients not to find any toxic ingredients. They should be almost 1-3 on the EWG scale across the board. Monat Market Partners make this claim because it is not regulated. But as always I am tired of lies and bullshit by the sales team of Monat and so here goes...
EWG Score 6
Limonene
Please read: https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+1809
EWG=6
From the peels of citrus fruits. It is used to help creams and ointments penetrate the skin.
EWG Concerns:
possible human immune system toxicant or allergen
limited evidence of immune system toxicity or allergies
EU-classified as irritant
development/reproductive toxicity: one or more studies show developmental effects at high doses.
EU-wildfire and environmental toxicity
Ext. Violet 2 (CI 60730)
EWG=3-6
-Should not be used on damaged skin
Human skin toxicant or allergen-strong evidence
cancer-limited evidence
Interesting Read:
https://www.annmariegianni.com/ingredient-watch-list-ext-dc-violet-2-the-synthetic-colorant/
EWG Score 5
Benzyl Alcohol
absorbs in the skin molecular weight 108.14
EWG=5
One more human case study shows possible allergic or allergenic effects.
expected toxic or harmful (organ system)
can cause allergic contact dermatitis
Linalool
EWG=5
Concerns possible human immune system toxicant or allergen
Can cause allergic contact dermatitis
From a human exposure study of this ingredient:
"76 patients out of 1781 patch-tested were determined to have cosmetic allergy. In 3 instances, linalool was identified to be the causative allergen with certainty or high probability."
https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+645
EWG Score 4
Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
antistatic
EWG=4
EWG concern: KNOWN human toxicant or allergen.
EWG one or more animals studies show developmental or reproductive toxicity.
The molecular weight is 1469.414 which means it does not absorb into the skin.
Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
EWG=4
EWG Known human toxicant or allergen
EWG developmental/reproductive toxicity
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
EWG=4 according to the EWG it has been associated with irritation and allergic contact dermatitis.
EWG Concerns
-Suspected to be an environmental toxin
Here is some information from the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18627690
EWG Score 3
Sodium Benzoate (used in fireworks as a fuel in whistle mix)
absorbs into the skin Molecular weight 144.105
EWG=3
Japan restricts use
produced by reacting sodium hydroxide with benzoic acid
There is a ton of conflicting information on this ingredient in food my only concern is that Monat Market Partners over and over try to talk about flammable ingredients in other companies products and here we are?
Different takes on Sodium Benzoate
https://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/archives/2017/07/24/sodium-benzoate-nonsense?r3f_986=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&fbclid=IwAR1xR_gyVZ7bGFXnq19ofqph_lea9DjBrjTsCDh4x_GPDRDfV-Sq-JfO60k
https://www.livestrong.com/article/525531-facts-on-sodium-benzoate/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2394588/
I know that Monat as always likes to go, but you are not drinking it. That is false this ingredient is small enough in molecular size that yes, your skin is drinking it in.
Sodium Hydroxide (also known as lye or caustic soda)
absorbs into skin with a molecular weight of 39.997
EWG=3-4
I highly encourage you to read
http://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/inooh062015slr.pdf
avoid or minimize skin exposure
expected to be toxic or harmful
medium health priority
An alkaline salt used to be a pH balancer. Within being alkaline, that means it is going to create a higher pH, not something always wanted in a hair care product.
EU restrictions: The European Commission has added sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and calcium hydroxide to Annex III
List of Substances Which Cosmetic Products Must Not Contain Except Subject to the Restrictions Laid Down.15 The uses of
sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide may not exceed 5% in nail cuticle solvents; 2% for general purpose and 4.5% in the professional use of hair; must have a pH below 12.7 when used as a pH adjuster in depilatories, and must have pH below 11
in other applications.
http://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/inooh062015slr.pdf
Potassium Sorbate
EWG=3
Human skin toxicant or allergen -strong evidence.
preservative
It is a known skin, eye, and respiratory irritant.
EWG Score 2
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
EWG=2
Concerns: Impurity
Large Molecules does not absorb into the skin — a gentle foaming agent.
Citric Acid
EWG=2
Acrylates Copolymer
EWG = 2 adhesives, artificial nail builder, binder.
From truthinaging.com
"Animal tests have also shown it to be harmful if come into contact with the skin and/or eyes. The International Journal of Toxicology said in 2002 that it was carcinogenic when applied at a concentration of 21% to the skin of C3H mice but added that the levels that would be found in cosmetic formulations are not considered to present a safety risk. "
You can learn much more about the research and study of this ingredient here:
https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/acrylates%20copolymers.pdf
EWG Score 1
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
EWG=1
Lauramidopropyl Betaine used as an antistatic agent or hair conditioning agent.
Formula: C19H38N2O3
Weight: 342.524 g/mol (absorbs into the skin)
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
EWG= 1(EWG.ORG)
Cleansing agent
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is a mild cleansing agent.
Formula: C21H42NNaO4S
Weight 427.62 g/mol (absorbs into the skin)
Decyl Glucoside
EWG = 1 (EWG.ORG)
Glucose-based surfactant
One of the notes made is that the finished product using Decyl Glucoside should be between 3.0-5.0
The pH of this ingredient is 11.0-12.0
So with my first questions to Monat is, do the products used fall between 3.0-5.0? If not then Monat is not using this product as intended to be used.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
EWG =1
Salt derived from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It can be a potent allergen according to bubble and be organic.
You can read more about this ingredient and the results of animal testing on these ingredients here.
https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/sultan062017slr.pdf
Cocamide MIPA
EWG =1
Cocamide MIPA comes for a mixture of isopropanolamides of coconut acid. Cocamide MIP is used in lots of personal care products.
Glycerin
EWG =2
Use has restrictions in Canada.
Glycerin is used to prevent dry, rough, or itchy skin. Glycerin draws water to itself.
Orbignya Speciosa Kernel Oil
EWG=1
functions as a skin-conditioning agent.
From my research I find this to be a non-irritant product.
Smoke point -unknown
Cocos Nucifera Oil (coconut oil)
EWG=1
Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil - comes from the dried ripe seeds of the flax plant.
EWG=1
Smoke point 350 Fareinheight
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
EWG=1
Smoke point 495 Fareinghtigh
Some people have a sensitivity to soybeans, but a double-blind study did show those sensitive to this ingredient did not show signs with the oil. However according to CIR(Cosmetic Ingredient Review) "The researchers remarked that while a reaction to the cold-pressed soybean oil did not occur in this study, cold-pressed
oils may contain soybean protein and should be avoided. "
also from that same CIR:
"Cases of contact allergy have been reported for soybean oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, avocado oil, and sesame seed oil. "
Link
https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/116_draft_oils.pdf
Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
EWG=1
There are not a lot of studies to show how safe it is for topical use, but there are appears to be no known side effects when used orally.
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
EWG=1
Unless like me you have allergies to many lavender based things you should be concerned. A low concern on the EWG site is an endocrine disruption.
******* According to WebMD, lavender oil is possibly unsafe for young boys as it seems to disrupt their normal hormones.
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-838/lavender
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
EWG=1
WebMD Warnings:
"Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Rosemary is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts. Rosemary might stimulate menstruation or affect the uterus, causing a miscarriage. Not enough is known about the safety of applying rosemary to the skin during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, it’s best to avoid rosemary in amounts larger than food amounts."
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-154/rosemary
If you have an aspirin allergy avoid Rosemary
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
EWG=1
Cornflower
It has been used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory. Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract is most commonly used in eye care.
Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract
EWG=1
This product could cause skin irritation with long term use. However, from everything I see it appears to pose no real threat although WebMD does recommend talking to your doctor before taking ginger orally if pregnant.
Bisabolol
EWG=1
EWG concern: enhances skin absorption
oil extracted from chamomile.
The CIR recommends because it can boost the skin absorption of other products that manufacturers should be alert.
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