Propylene glycol is in tons of personal care items, like your shampoo, soap, moisturizer, deodorant, and toothpaste. You can even find it in your food and medicine. However, even though it’s a widely used chemical, a lot of people are wary of it.
Propylene glycol acts as a penetration-enhancing agent. It alters the structure of the skin, allowing chemicals to penetrate deeply while increasing their ability to reach the bloodstream.
Basically, its main job is to help other chemicals you come in contact with reach your bloodstream. But do you really want to use a chemical designed to do that?
Not me. Plus, there is even more to it than just that…
How Toxic Is Propylene Glycol?
According to the Environmental Working Group, propylene glycol can cause a whole host of problems. With a rating of 3, it’s considered to cause “moderate” health issues.
They shared:
“It has been associated with irritant and allergic contact dermatitis as well as contact urticaria in humans; these sensitization effects can be manifested at propylene glycol concentrations as low as 2%.”
–EWG
Additionally, the chemical has been linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive issues, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and organ system toxicity.
It has also been classified as “expected to be toxic or harmful” by Environment Canada.
How to Spot Propylene Glycol
Per CDC, the other names for propylene glycol include:
- 1,2-dihydroxy propane
- 1,2-propanediol
- methyl glycol
- trimethyl glycol
Some popular products that contain propylene glycol include:
- Biolage by Matrix Conditioning Balm
- Nivea for Men Hair & Body Wash, Sensitive
- Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Overnight Cream
- Arm & Hammer Essentials Natural Deodorant, Unscented
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer For All Skin Types
So take a look at the ingredients of the products that you use and search for propylene glycol or the other names it is often called/listed as.
I try my best to only use safe, natural products, but I am always reading labels in the store before I purchase anything. Chances are there is a safe alternative to a toxic favorite.
Next time you are shopping for a personal care item, be sure to remember what propylene glycol is and do your best to avoid it!
What Is Propylene Glycol Used for?
Food manufacturers often add propylene glycol to foods. It aids in taste and color dissolution as well as moisture preservation.
Additionally, it is used in several pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medicine, and industrial goods.
In Food
Propylene glycol is a popular addition used to help process food and enhance its texture, taste, shelf life, and appearance.
The following are applications for propylene glycol in foods:
- Antioxidant: It helps foods stay fresh longer by preventing oxygen-related degradation.
- Carrier: It disperses additional food additives or processing-related nutrients, such as flavors, colors, or antioxidants.
- Emulsifiers: They keep food components from segregating, such as the oil and vinegar in salad dressing.
- Texturizer: It may alter the way food looks or tastes.
- Anti-caking agent: It aids in preventing food ingredients from clumping together and adhering to one another, as in the case of grated cheese or dry soups.
- Dough strengthener: It changes the gluten and starches in the dough to increase stability.
- Moisture preserver: Foods preserved in moisture are kept at a constant level and prevented from drying out. Examples include almonds, coconut flakes, and marshmallows.
- Processing aid: It improves the appearance or utility of food, for instance, by making a liquid clearer.
- Stabilizer and thickener: It may be used as a stabilizer and thickener to keep food ingredients together or make them thicker before and after processing.
Many packaged goods, including drink mixes, cake mixes, dressings, soda, popcorn, dry soups, food coloring, fast meals, bread, and dairy items, often include propylene glycol.
In Skin Care Products
Many soaps, lotions, shampoos, creams, conditioners, deodorants, and other products include propylene glycol.
Why is it such a well-liked ingredient? Here are some of the main ones.
- It is a humectant: Due to its strong affinity for water, propylene glycol is often utilized at low concentrations to enhance the moisturizing properties of skin care products. For softer, more hydrated skin, humectants draw water into the skin and help keep it there.
- It is a preservative: Due to its antibacterial qualities, which help inhibit the proliferation of germs, propylene glycol may help extend the shelf life of cosmetic products and keeps the goods fresh.
- It increases the potency of other ingredients: Propylene glycol helps active substances enter the skin more effectively. Or, to put it another way, the advantages of this ingredient may make your preferred serum effective.
In Medicine
Drug solubilizers often used in topical, oral, and injectable treatments include propylene glycol. It serves as:
- a cosolvent that is water-soluble and
- a stabilizer for vitamins
Over 50 years ago, propylene glycol was first employed in many products. It is often recognized as safe when used as a medicinal ingredient.
Is It That Bad?
The US Food and Drug Administration has classified propylene glycol as “generally regarded as safe” (GRAS).
However, there has only ever been one proven instance of poisoning.
After consuming a significant quantity of cinnamon whiskey with propylene glycol, a guy was unconscious.
While some of his symptoms were brought by the alcohol, others may have been caused by the propylene glycol.
On the other hand, for patients with renal or liver illness, consumption may result in a buildup of lactic acid and propylene glycol in the circulation, which might result in hazardous effects.
In another case, Lorazepam was used to treat a patient with renal impairment for breathlessness and throat edema.
She consumed 40 times the acceptable amount of propylene glycol over 72 hours, which caused acidosis and other toxicological symptoms.
Some people have claimed that propylene glycol causes problems relating to the brain.
In one instance, propylene glycol poisoning from an unidentified source led to recurrent convulsions and unconsciousness in an epileptic lady.
The fact that many different drugs and substances may elicit identical symptoms when consumed or administered in proportions that cause toxicity should be stressed even though these symptoms may seem frightening.
How to Avoid Propylene Glycol
Even though propylene glycol is widely regarded as safe, you may still decide to avoid it if you have an allergy or if you wish to consume less of it.
By looking at the ingredients list, you may find it in many different food items. It could be mentioned under the following names:
- Propylene glycol
- E1520 or 1520
- Propylene glycol mono
Examples include soft beverages, marinades, icings, dressings, food coloring, fast food, bread, and dairy products.
Unfortunately, propylene glycol may not be mentioned on the food label if it serves as a carrier or solvent for another addition, such as taste or color, instead of being a direct component.
The bulk of the meals that contain it, meanwhile, are highly processed junk food. Eating a fresh, nutritious, whole-food diet may easily avoid most sources.
Though avoiding it could be challenging, you can also read the labels of cosmetic goods. Several helpful websites may assist you in determining whether goods include it.
Before taking any medications, it’s essential to let your doctor or pharmacist know if you have a propylene glycol allergy. Usually, there is a substitute.
Reading food labels and keeping an eye out for propylene glycol as an ingredient or as the addition of E1520 can help you avoid consuming it.
To help you find hygiene products that contain it, use online resources. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about medications.
David,
Another reason to make your own skin care products – and it’s really easy to do. The only thing that I don’t make yet is deodorant & toothpaste. Homemade deodorant is next up on my to-do – cornstarch & baking soda.
I’ve posted recipes of how to make your own lotions, soaps (use for shampoo also), and lip balm on my blog.
http://fimby.tougas.net/soap_body_care
Fyi….propolene glycol is a chemical used in dry cleaning clothes… check around.
I have a deoderant and toothpaste mixture that works for both, I make a jar for deoderant, and a jar for teeth…
ingredents: Baking soda- coconut oil.-(-6 drops) of Neem oil_(kills bacteria)–6 drops of tee tree oil,,-Rosemary oil(3drops). great..Colidial Silver…
I use an empty spice jar, fill 1/2 with bkng soda, then add coconut oil and stir til a smooth consistency, then add each drops and stir each time, and keep the consistency alittle less thick but more thick then to thin..so it spread on underarms w/o leak…and same w/tooth paste…I love it and you can add lavender oil drops to the deoderant 2-4-6 optional…good luck -u=youll love it!!
It’s important to use a limited amount of baking soda as it’s alkaline and its pH differs from pH of our acidic skin. It can cause irritation and by time destroy the skin barrier on top, making it easier for bakeries to infect the skin. The dosing for baking soda is important as well as all the other active ingredients in a cosmetic product.
That’s why I would recommend you to use only 1 % or even less in your deodorant. I mean if you make 100 gr deodorant, don’t add baking soda more than 1 gr!
Good luck
Organic chemist and DIY formulator, Zahra
Wow… I was just reading The Gorgeously Green Diet, where she mentions a number of additives to avoid. This one was not on the list, but as I pulled the bag of coconut shreds from my fridge to use as a dessert garnish, I saw propylene glycol on the ingredients and decided to google it.
Scary. Thank you for your post on it’s dangers. Certainly something to consider, and for multiple reasons. I do not believe it is something I want to be eating or feeding my family (and in the trash the bag goes!).
Polyethylene Glycol is just as bad as Propylene glycol. I am very allergic to both, the fact that it’s in all most all of our antibiotics makes it worse. Walgreens found 1brand TEVA Cephalexin liquid antibiotic, that does not have either of these ingredients in it.
Whenever I get P. G. in my body I know within a few hours: I can’t concentrate, read, watch TV, I become dizzy, foggy brain and just don’t feel good, and I find myself saying the wrong words because it’s affected my brain. This now last over a week, I am not safe to drive a car for almost 2 weeks! Please be careful using anything with Propylene or Polyethylene Glycol!
I bleed when I take drugs and products with PEG or PG. So I’m like a “litmus test” for whether something contains it or not. I first encountered this when taking Cephalexin. Woke up in a pool of blood 4 nights in a row while taking it. The bleeding stopped with the drug stopped. My doctor and the ER pooh-poohed me when I questioned whether it was the drug. I went right to search engine and found this drug is associated with hemorrhagic bleeds. It is right there in black & white. Also, containing it is Miralax. And most drugs like Aleve and Tylenol XS. Gotta read the labels. I also learned that vaping contains PEG & PG (even if they say they don’t – come on – something has to aerosolize those chemicals). My sister vaped hard for 2 years and died of a brain tumor biopsy. One thing about vaping is that it lowers your immunity, it suppresses 400 immune genes. Tobacco smoke only suppresses 50 immune genes. Spread the word.
Andrew, just because something is in a ton of foods and ADDITIVES and fake COLOURING does not make it safe, nor does the US FDA declaring it safe mean it is. Honestly, hydrogenated oils and artificial sweeteners are declared safe enough that they are not taken off the market, yet clear evidence shows they can have very negative effects on the body are are non-essential to a healthy diet. Like ALL additives, this one can butt out.
I believe that the FDA is allowing the toxins to be used in all products. The claim to safety is ‘false’ and remember how Pharmacuetical corporations keep pumping out all kinds of pills that later turn out to have killed many and be linked to cancer, and or depression and sucidal tendency that shows that the FDA is on the dole. And lobbyists from major corporations do their best to get their products patent and put human and dog and cat products.Best to go natural that include No flouride in mouth wash and water,tooth paste. Just cause Donald Runsfeld helped push that through in to our major product doesn’t mean its safe, it means money for the companies who make it.
The ONLY reason these additives are legal is because our lawmakers make it legal. Congress stopped being public servants long ago. They serve whoever has the richest lobby. Congress catering to big business is the reason ingredients that have been banned for years in other countries are allowed in the U.S. Propylene glycol(aka Dihydroxypropane or 2-Hydroxypropanol or Methylethy Glycol) should only be found in your antifreeze but it’s everywhere because its the cheapest solution to a problem AND AND AND because Congress was successfully lobbied to keep it legal. The lawmakers are where the breakdown occurs but the people have yet to fire them.
I think you are confusing propylene glycol with ethelyne glycol with is toxic. PG antifreeze is labeled as “non-toxic” antifreeze and is used in mechanical food systems where a leak may occur. Not saying that it is entirely safe because you or I can not know that for sure. Just because a chemical is used in something that is considered toxic does not mean that the chemical it self is toxic. If you click on the Envrionmental Workong Group in the article it only lists allergies as the primary concern for PG. And nowhere have I seen that Propylene Glycol is banned in any countries.
I believe personal research and personal empowerment are what keep me from making bad choices about what to put in my body and you honestly can’t tell me because something isn’t banned in a country makes it ok to put in ones body. Labeling first off is a big issue that concerned citizens are actively participating to change for the better! No intelligent person would rely on labels at this point without doing research and educating themselves and what ingredients are healthy for the body.
Propylene glycol has been shown to be linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive issues, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption.
Whenever I use hair conditioners with propylene glycol, my hair falls out relentlessly and when I finally get what the problem is I stop using it and the hair loss stops. I won’t forget about this again. No more P. glycol for me.
Shampoo bars are the way to go. There are quite a few out there that have very limited and good ingredients. On top of that, there’s no plastic going into the environment. I have been using a shampoo bar for about 2 years and my hair is healthier and softer. The best place to get them is at Free the Ocean (FTO.org).
True – after all, many toxic products contain ingredients that are benign individually, such as water. And just because something is “natural” does not mean it is safe to consume, such as the deadly nightshade plant. Poop and dirt are natural, but that doesn’t mean I’d like to eat them.
Ok Well if you think PG is non toxic , then go ahead and drink two quarts of it every day, oh but when Drinking it, drink a pint in one sitting each is what I prescribe to you. Please let us all know how healthy you are in 3 months time. Oh and jog for 20 minutes after your non toxic drink fest!
PG is in everything! Toothpaste. frostings, ice cream, cough medicine (it is used as a base), when you get shots, if the medication or vaccine will not dilute in saline, you get a shot with…..wait for it…PG!
It’s in EVERYTHING! Kinda like soy……
But, the best thing for me is it is what is in an eCig. The contraption that weaned me off of tobacco.
The patch, gum and drugs didn’t work…but PG in an ecig did
I just found out that the food product Mio (a flavor that you add to water on the go) has propylene glycol in it. Unbelievable first pink slime now this. Thanks FDA for your great watch dog efforts!
Where are you reading this? I have three bottles of Mio in front of me now and none of them list propylene glycol as an ingredient…
This is certainly true. I was shocked when I looked at the back of the bottle and saw that as one the the first ingredients. Apparently the Canadian varieties don’t contain PG. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiO
“MiO products state they use no artificial flavors, but are artificially colored and sweetened concentrated syrups.[3] MiO Energy contains 60 milligrams of caffeine per serving. With the exception of Canadian varieties, all contain propylene glycol[4].”
I looked up PG because I have a bottle of MIO in front of me. It is the 3rd ingedient after water and citric acid.
Check candy-Russell Stover coconut nests. Checking for calories and found propylene glycol. Also in prescription meds. This is very up-setting. As for Mio,depends on the flavor you get.
I have the Mio energy Black Cherry and it is listed as the third ingredient. I didn’t realize what it even was until a co worker pointed it out. According to him, it is in all Mio (and other drink flavorings like it), but I have only checked this one bottle.
i have a bottle of mioenergy and it is listed on there
I agree – I have just tried Mio for the first time in the Strawberry Watermelon flavor and noticed it had propelyne glycol in the ingredient list. This is exactly the reason I googled the ingredients. It definitely open my eyes to the items I consume. I will be more mindful of this ingredient in the future.
I bought a bottle of Price Chopper brand flavor water enhancer and was pretty shocked pg is in it. I bought it to help me drink more water. So it really bums me that I found something that is good tasting, but dangerous to your health.
Studies conducted in 1942 by Dr. Oswald Hope Robertson of University of Chicago’s Billings Hospital showed vaporized propylene glycol inhalation in laboratory mice may prevent pneumonia, influenza, and other respiratory diseases. Additional studies in monkeys and other animals were undertaken to determine long-term effects, especially the potential for accumulation in the lungs. After a few months of treatment, no ill effects were discovered.
Mark, I am sorry but that is hardly a relevant reference, try something more current PG has been shown to be linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive issues, allergies/immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption.
oh dear. how bad is this stuff if you inhale it ? i am trying to stop smoking and saw this great offer for E-lites. a fake cigarette that you smoke like a normal one and you inhale the nicotine. but another ingredient is .. propylene glycol.. shouldn’t there at least be some warning on these packages that it could be harmful.
There is no safe way to quit smoking other than by just stopping. All that replacement stuff is bad news. Check out a book by Alan Carr, Easyway to stop smoking. Good luck.
All chemicals that are man made are likely toxic. The immune system was not man made and does not recognize them. It does get duped by them. Go figure what happens next. Artificial sweetness dupe us into tasting sugar, the immune system then freaks out looking for glucose. It then decides to fix the problem by generating cravings….so we get hungry again, when we should not.
Wonder how it affects the body when its ingested?? I have started replacing my family’s bath/body products with those that don’t contain propylene glycol after learning about its effects. Then the other day while baking, I was pretty much horrified when I saw it in my coconut extract and shredded coconut!!
how about your fish oil?
I just have to tell you I was watching Dr. Oz one day when he had a dermatologist on. She highly recommended St. Ives Timeless Skin Moisturizer. Normanly I check out the ingredients but this time I went and bought this moisturizer and really liked it. However today I see that it contains Propylene Glycol as a second ingredient! Does this mean Dr. Oz is not checking products as well as we think. I did take this item back to the store with the article explaining what Propylene Glycol is.
Sorry Just had to vent!!!!!!!!
Thanks for listening
Dr. Oz, while popular, is kind of a hack. Good for you for returning it!
Dr Oz is a satanic Illuminati!! Do NOT trust him! Also probably does spirit cooking – at least is a friend of a lady who does. WAKE up please.
For the past 2 years I’ve been using this acne treatment gel on my face. I went to check the ingredients today to see if it had another cancer causing chemical and BAM I saw propylene glycol. I’ve been reading up on cancerous chemicals in hair coloring products because I dyed my hair and found out that there are so many harmful ones in there. So I knew about propylene glycol. I was shocked. I mean my doctor who I’ve known all my life, and is an expert gave me that product. I’m surprised she hasn’t researched these things… I don’t know what I’m going to do, because I need that acne gel, and switching from one to another can just ruin my face. Plus not having it will just cause my face to breakout all over…
Now like I said, I dyed my hair recently ( my first time) and found out it has propylene glycol and so many others so this not only the first time coloring it, but my last. It was a bad idea choosing permanent but I’ll work somthing out.
You should read a book called “Virgin Coconut Oil.” You can find it on half.com for around $3. Often times when a person has extreme acne it is not a bacteria but a yeast infection. If you were to eat virgin coconut oil it will help your skin more than the products you are using. We use at as a moisturizer too.
Hi Tre,
I used to suffer miserably from acne…only on my chin..but constant and it made me miserable.
I started probiotics (yougurt). My skin recovered from that alone!!
basically what wdpmap is saying is true and I’ve heard about that as well…but this is the approach I used.
I found it 5th on a list of 17 in my favorite Mocha drink. I will miss my Mocha. I was drinking 2-3 cups a day.. I was having a problem with a high pulse reading.. I am hoping that will get normal..
I can’t get the link with “1041” in it to open. Drat. Brandy, thanks for the warning about dog foods. Do you know if it was dry or wet food ??? Apparently the product has several different names. but I couldn’t access the list by google either.
Hello—-May I recommend two of the products that I use and have used for a long time and that I think you would be happy with.
1. is Badger Balm…located in New Hampshire, usa and certified organic…website: http://www.badgerbalm.com. Their products come in little round tins (great for throwing in your purse), some in bottles, depending what product you purchase and contains only the finest ingredients, such as calendula, oils of lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, mandarin, sandlewood, rosehip, chamomile, jojoba, rosemary, tea tree and balsam fir, just for starters. You can get it for your hands and body, for your feet, for headaches, for sleep. for stress soothing, for after a day in the sun, for sore muscles and joints, a lip balm and even a balm for babies. I cannot say enough about it and the cost is minimal at under $10 and it lasts and lasts, so your not replacing it every week.
2. The second one I use is Alaffia, located in Olympia, Washington, usa…their website is; http://www.alaffia.com and it is a handcrafted and unrefined shea butter. Everything made by hand!!! Besides being an excellent mosturizer, you also get the unique benefits of its fatty acid profile and Vitamins A & E. It is a rich cream that comes in round glass jars. Added to the shea butter is virgin cocoa butter for extra moisturizing and papaya leaf extract for skin firming. They also have many other products at reasonable prices that you can check out. You don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars for these two excellent products like products in a department store at the mall. I get mine at the grocery store, which has a whole three aisle section of personal care products. You can go on line and check them out and if you can’t find the products at your stores, you can call them for a location or order directly from them. Hope this information helps as I think once you give these two products a try, like me, you won’t be looking for anything more…..~molly~ P.S. I don’t work for either company…I’m just passing on the information of the two products I use that I’m happy with, which contains no toxic ingredients at all. NONE!!! Absolutely NO WORRIES!!!
This stuff is also in Mio, the liquid water enhancer. This is crazy that it is beverages now.
Just found out this chemical is also used to make the fake blueberries for blueberry muffins, mixes, cereals. It was mentioned on the documentary Hungry for Change and a google search produced a lot of ingredients lists including Nutrisystem and Betty Crocker muffins.
I am convinced that these chemicals and food additives/preservatives in the household products (shampoos, conditioners, lotions, toothpastes, etc) and food we eat everyday are causing all these cancers/diseases in this country.
So I go to check the label of my organic deodorant. First ingredient listed? Propylene Glycol!
My faith in the system just dropped another notch, just when I thought it couldn’t go lower.
I was at a health store today looking for gluten-free personal care products (Celiac and no, I am not self-diagnosed). I was absolutely shocked at the brands with good reputations and the stuff that was in their products. Tom’s of Maine deodorant has propylene glycol listed as the 1st ingredient in their deodorants. I was so shocked…
i was just reading some of these coments and thought i would share mine.About a year ago i got to where i could not breath right i mean i was having to catch my breath about 60 times a day i went to the doctor besause i knew something was wrong never smoked in good health but any way he thought i might be allergic to something he didn,t know what gave me prednasone and sure enough the next day i felt like a new man.So i went back to the doctor and told him that thats what it was he said we would never be able to find out exactly what it was but i started reading and conparing ingrediences and i figured it out it was Propylene Glycol and this stuff people it seems like is in everything so watch out its not just your skin it affects.
bought some fat free Byers Ice Cream. I’ve always liked and continue to like Breyers, but this had a bad taste, so I read the ingredients and found propylene-glycol.
I dumped it and washed out my mouth.
then scooped up some all natural Breyers, double checked the ingredients, still all natural, but will be more careful when I buy Breyers again.
Low fat – read ‘Chemical shit storm’.
@ Karen:
The reason why we are getting all these cancers/diseases are not because of the food additives, etc alone. While they may not be helping, the main reasons are pretty simple from a scientific standpoint.
First, modern medicine and medical practices are allowing the average human to live up to 70 or so years of age, whereas back a hundred years or more, the average person was only living to mid-40s or 50s if all went well. Most of them would die from diseases such as small pox, malaria, etc before they reached what we consider old age. Cancer was not documented then for a couple reasons, but the major one being that most people were not living long enough for their bodies to break down and start producing cancerous cells with old age.
Second, from an evolutionary standpoint modern medicine is allowing those with weak immune systems, etc to live much longer than normal and spread those more deficient genetic traits (ie natural selection) to their offspring. Back a couple hundred years or more it would have been more difficult for these humans to live to child bearing age or marraige age and thus these genes were not spread as rapidly as they are being preserved today. The more people with deficient immune systems, the more likely our population is to develop cancerous and disease-prone cells.
While there are a lot of reasons for cancer and disease, and no doubt that preservatives and additives are one of them, you cannot say that they are the sole (or even one of the major!) reasons for higher cancer and disease rates. I would go so far as to say that modern medicine, particularly in the United States, has allowed people to live with less than a quarter of the disease problems of 1800 America or earlier.
PS food preservatives and additives are also allowing the poorer citizens in growing third world countries to survive and live life at all, so think about that as well.
–From an Engineer’s perspective, Thanks
After reading this I have great concerns. I am trying to stop smoking and using e cigarettes which use e juice. The contents of the e juice contains propylene glycerol and glycol. I am worried about this as these e cigarettes havent been tested as of yet therefore would the contents of the e juice be just as bad or worse? Please could somebody give some information about this, are people going to start with a new disease or illness? What effects could these ingredients cause?
I read that ingredient in a can of Fanta cream soda….and again in my nail polish….
I love the flavored coffees at Dunkin Donuts, but I have always wondered about the ingredients. Today I was able to read a couple bottles that were sitting on the counter. Propylene glycol was the second ingredient on both bottles. Guess I won’t be drinking flavored coffees anymore.
Kim, I can confirm.
I work for a tea company and we use natural and artificial flavors in our preparations.
Propylene glycol is used in industrial flavoring to transport the flavor and is supposed to evaporate before consumption.
Natural flavors usually contain MORE propylene glycol.
*Also I would like to note that the definition of natural by the FDA is a joke. Basically put, just because it says natural vanilla does NOT mean there is any vanilla and you may be eating the secretions of a beaver’s anal gland (Castorium).
Be careful out there, Kim!
Seems, any more, if you want to be ‘safe’ avoid anything that comes with a label and grow what you can for yourself. I have YET to see an apple on my tree with an ingredient or warning label! OK, so we can’t live on apples alone, but you get the idea– the FDA is NOT our friend!!
“Many fast-food chains use a food additive called propylene glycol, which is also used in antifreeze. It adds moisture to food, keeping it frozen, in addition to enhancing flavor. For example, it’s used to keep the lettuce on your sandwiches crispy and ice cream from melting.”
From: The Dr. Oz show
Stumbeled upon this artical searching on Propylene Glycol on google. Because the electric cigarettes use this swell…..
Doesnt sound good pumping this in your lungs….
I have been using electronic cigarettes for three months in an effort to stop my nasty smoking habit. So far so good. I thought I ought to check on the contents of the e-liquid to assess the possible health risks – although, to be honest, they could hardly be worse than smoking.
I was surprised to find that the main ingredients are propylene glycol and/or glycerine and nicotine (which I sort of expected). I was very alarmed to find out that the liquid also contained dihydrogen monoxide.
This is not labelled. It can be extremely dangerous and has been shown to cause rapid death in certain circumstances and high dosage.
Further research showed that it is present in a huge number of foodstuffs, cosmetics (including my herbal organic shampoo), pharmaceuticals, drinks (even my favourite organic health drinks) and other products. For example, it is added to concentrated mixes in the soda dispensers in all fast food joints.
Why is this tolerated by the FDA.
Sammyandjon, you can do it without the e cig!
A former partner of mine used to sell e cigs and worked at a shop. She eventually quit because the shop was maintaining some dangerous practices (not measuring nicotine additive when mixing juice, you can kill someone with nicotine). Basically this is new and there isn’t a whole lot of protocol around it as far as law and procedure. Nor is there proper research.
Don’t expect the FDA to save you!!
I’ll call them out…
Freedom Smoke USA. Don’t buy from them.
Its also found as the third listed ingredient in the Mio drink additives
I looked at the ingredients list on my dog’s food and while I commend Nature’s Variety on their short list of ingredients, I was disappointed to see canola oil high on that list (canola = gmo).
I saw this article pulled out my bottle of what I THOUGHT was natural and safe deoderant, Tom’s of Maine. This chemical was THE first ingredient on the list . So frustrating. I had previously purchased a hand made deoderant from Crunchy Betty which I loved but it wasnt ordor fighting enough for me and it also have me a rash. I thought the rash would pass. .. so I tried to use it more than a month. Eventually had to stop and that’s when I switched to Tom’s *sigh*. My search for a good natural deoderant continues.
Anonymous, give Primal Pit Paste a try!!
PrimalPitPaste.com
Don’t worry, I’m not selling it.
holy freakin shitballs folks…I l;ookes at a package of baby butt wipes Fluffs Supreme…the second ingredient on the list is propylene glycol…manufactured in..you guessed it ” CHINA ” ..I am wiping my grandkids butts with this shit ??? WTF ????
My dental hygienist asked me a few visits back what kind of toothpaste I used because she was asked to participate in a study. She was finding infections in gums below the gum line and itsy bitsy tiny balls when cleaning. Guess what? Propylene glycol beads in the toothpaste! The little plastic balls are used to enhance flow from the tube and add ‘volume’ to the product. And, they get stuck under the gums and cause infection! Make sure you buy just plain, old fashioned paste without the whiteners, brighteners and gimmicks.
PG is also used in two other industries.
E cigarette and industrial flavoring.
In both cases it is used to suspend and transport a “flavor”. Even “natural” flavors, in fact naturals usually contain more propylene glycol.
In theory, the PG evaporates and leaves flavor behind as in flavored tea preparation but I’m not convinced that it all goes away every time.
*I work for a tea company that uses industrial flavoring.
Where are you getting your information??
What’s a safe alternative?
I have taken everything that contains Proplene Glycol out of my diet and what would go in my body only to descover every couple of weeks something else I can’t have. I now buy grass feed meat. For me this allergy started when I got stung by many bees at one time and now I can’t even take Benadryl. I am now giving a lot of thought to taking a probionic to help with the infection that is in my body.
You are just saying it linked to cancer, but what evidence is there that it is a carcinogen. You can’t just say it is linked to cancer without evidence to show it. I read the link to the Environmental Working Group, and it did classify it as a carcinogen. You must have read the diagram provided in the article wrong. Carefully take a look at it again. I’m not endorsing PG. It’s when people mention cancer I am on immediate high alert. I had a sister who died from cancer at age 10. Cancer is something that I fear. So I definitely want to stay away from anything that causes it. But, the right information needs to be given to people. I should not be stressed out because of wrong information.
I have stressed , over this, pharma is big, business, let Th e whole world, know,,,.
I’m trying to buy a deodorant without propylene glycol. I just bought a brand called Organic 101. I am not happy because it does not combat odor as well as some of the ones with propylene glycol. Can anyone recommend a deodorant without PG that actually works? Thanks in advance.
Crystal essence Mineral Deodorant
Alan A. I use EO spray organic deodorant and it’s great.
This article is misleading. The EWG did not say all that this article implies.
I used botanical choice foot mask after an hour wearing the booties i took them off to find the top of my feet very swollen, Stayed like that and increased throughout the week to a rash, looked like chicken pox, scalley itchy and exfolliating the bottom and top of my feet. The top of feet was also very shiny. The allergic reaction kept getting worst, skin is uneven with bumps and pimples showing, wrinkles and creases as well as sudden pain like sharp stings. Skin became red, discolored and puffy, started spreading up my leg, became so itchy and peeling, was given topical steroids, this stopped the redness and itch. How can I get this out from under my skin? Have been to podiatrist, veins, dermatologist and dr. none could help.
Could I ask…..does anyone know of a way to flush from the body or counteract this chemical in the body?