Naturtint hair dye- reviewed and rejected
My friend D is a dark-haired beauty who dyes her raven (and currently straightened) locks to cover up the odd gray hair. She uses a permanent hair color called Naturtint ($17.99) and she asked me to check out the ingredients. Since a 2001 study by the International Journal of Cancer found that people who use permanent hair dye (either black or very dark dyes) are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as those who go au naturel, I was more than happy to take a look to see if Naturtint (dark chestnut brown) is safe.
I’ll cut straight to the car-chase. Naturtint’s ingredients (despite the fact it makes a big deal about using vegetable ingredients) are positively hair-raising. Like many dark hair dyes, Naturtint uses p-Phenylenediamine. This is in widespread use and here is what the Environmental Protection Agency has to say about it: p-Phenylenediamine is primarily used as a dye intermediate and as a dye. Acute (short-term) exposure to high levels of p-phenylenediamine may cause severe dermatitis, eye irritation and tearing, asthma, gastritis, renal failure, vertigo, tremors, convulsions, and coma in humans. Eczematoid contact dermatitis may result from chronic (long-term) exposure in humans. In rats and mice chronically exposed to p-phenylenediamine in their diet, depressed body weights, but no other clinical signs of toxicity, were observed in several studies.
p-Phenylenediamine gets a perfect score from the Environmental Working Group. Make no mistake, that is not something to brag about.
This was reason enough for me to shoot an email to my friend and urge her to look for an alternative to Naturtint (one of our reviewers liked Surya Henna). However, I’m not going to let Naturtint off the hook for the other nasties in this hair dye. PEG-2 Oleamine is often used as a thickener in food. Like all PEGs, it may contain contaminants and shouldn’t be used on broken skin. Ethanolamine is also known as acetamide MEA and the European Union classifies it as corrosive and harmful if in contact with the skin. However, the industry body, Cosmetic Ingredient Review, proclaims it is safe in concentrations up to 7.5%.
There isn’t much information on 4-amino-2-hydroxytolueno.p-aminophenol other than a 2004 paper in the International Journal of Toxicology saying that it there was insufficient data to support its safety. The European Union says it can cause allergic reactions. Another common component of hair colorants is 2-Methyl-Resorcinol. A 1980s study found that this was moderately toxic, but also concluded that it was safe for cosmetic use. 4-Chloro Resorcinol is usually used at concentrations of less than 1% and hair dyes that include it usually carry a sensitivity warning. It can be an eye irritant and emits toxic fumes if heated (source) and EWG rates it a moderate hazard. Oxyquinoline Sulfate is considered safe for rinse off products, but there is insufficient data to pronounce it safe for leave on products, according to the CIR.
To be fair to Naturtint, the hair dye ingredient, m-Aminophenol, has been deemed safe by the EU.
Ingredients in Naturtint:
PEG-2 Oleamine, Aqua (Water), Cocamide DEA, Alcohol Denat (Alcohol), Propylene Glycol, Ethanolamine, Oleic Acid, Hydrolized Vegetable Protein (Triticum Vulgare, Soy, Corn, Avena Sativa), Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Ascorbate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Parfum (Fragrance). (+/-) p-Phenylenediamine, 4-Amino-2-Hydroxytolueno.p-Aminophenol, 2-Methyl-Resorcinol, m-Aminophenol, 4-Chloro Resorcinol, N,N-Bis (Hydroxyethyl)-p-Phenylenediamine Sulfate, 2-Amino-4-Hydroxy-Ethylaminoanisole Sulfate.
Ingredients in ColorFix:
Aqua (Water), Hydrogen Peroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Laureth-3, Ceteareth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Oxyquinoline Sulfate.
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Marta,
My late grandmother always had pale skin and very dark luxurious hair, so when she started going grey at an early age, naturally she dyed the heck out of her hair. In fact she didn’t stop until she could no longer physically take the fumes. She suffered from terrible asthma and emphysema from years of smoking and working close to fibrous debris.
I learned about the hazardous chemicals in dark hair color many years ago, and I recall urgently telling my grandmother about it. She told me she already knew and her doctor recommended she stop coloring her hair, especially during periods when her breathing was bad.
I have no idea if the hair coloring chemicals contributed to her conditions or not, but I do know that beauty and vanity is never worth the sacrificing of your health.
Is any hair dye safe? I usually get mine colored in a salon . But I saw that naturtint on vitacost and almost bought it.
Aerwin, the darker the color, the less safe. Having said that, this one by Surya looks fine and we’ll research others and post any new finds.
I suggest going to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com, and at the top of the page (on a blue colored bar) there are the words: “makeup skincare haircare eyecare, etc”…put your cursor on haircare, and all the subjects will pop up for you to click on…hairspray, shampoo, color, etc. click on color..and starting at the levels safest for you, it will name all the haircolorings in their database that are the most nontoxic, and will take you all the way to the MOST toxic. I have written down some of the most nontoxic that I want to use. (I have dark dark brown long wavy natural curly hair, but its fine). The ones I have found to check out (according to that website) are: Aubrey Organics, Light Mountain, Naturtint, Wella Color charm demi-permanent. I know you said some negative things about aubrey, and naturtint, but…atleast they are WAY less toxic than clairol, revlon, loreal, and probably your local hairdresser. I say…SOME effort to reduce the toxins..is better than none. Go ahead, if you use over the counter hair coloring, and type it in the search bar..and see how toxic YOUR haircolor is, if you’ve never been to that website. goodluck to all. I’m happy I found this site..truthinaging, thanks for helping us women!
I’m sorry…regarding the above post…I didn’t mean to put “naturtint”….and “wella color charm demi-permanent” as “very safe”..they rate around 5-6 on a scale of 0-10 in toxicity. I apologize. (still, better than a 10..like some of the over the counter name brands..)
I have been using Naturtint Ebony for over a year. Granted I do not have the long term analysis, but I have found that I need to watch the required time…40 min for me and then less on the color for grey coverage. If I go over, then I get itchy skin on my scalp and need to rewash then also, sometimes within the same day. And if really bad then I need to use an anti-itch cream. This usually goes away in a day or two. My hair is pretty long to my ribs and way healthy plus I use Shikai conditioner. I have had asthm since 1994 so have not noticed an increase, butI eat clean too so perhaps the liver is cleansing..milk thistle and dandelion if not sure. Just happened upon this site. Thanks.
For 20 years I used Clairol, Revlon brands of blond permanent dyes on my dark brown hair.
5 years ago I experienced seborrhea in my scalp with severe itching, flaking & loss of hair in spots. After 3 months of no products & seborrhea calmed down, I switched to Naturtint blond shades and had great results. My hair grew back, itching & flaking never returned. Been using their various blond colors every two months for 5 years with no ill effects, it covers/blends my gray hair (I am 67 years old) on my short bob hairstyle. In between applications I also perm my curly hair for the smooth look and have NO bad reactions when I use the Naturtint a couple of weeks later. Maybe the darker shades are more irritating, but the blond shades are mild. I once tried a blond rinse by Clairol and my scalp itched for days, so I am a faithful Naturtint user.
I have had clients come in after having used these products for extended periods of time and their scalp and skin are beyond irritated. It kills the roots, dries the hair out and like the article says has potential to lead to cancer. I mean that’s alot to go through to keep a few strands from being grey!
Eventually the damage will be done, take the time to find an alternative to these products it’s well worth it.