One way to reduce the toxic load on the body is to be selective about personal care items containing harmful toxins. There are many resources available, here are a few starting points.
The beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that, until now, has had little other than cruelty to animals to worry about as a minor obstacle to their marketing campaigns. The safety of beauty products has largely been taken for granted.
The low-down on what you put on your face and body
- Many beauty products are not well regulated
- Many use varying mixtures of synthetically produced chemicals
- Many of these synthetic chemicals have not been approved by regulation authorities, but find their way into product and onto shelves through loop holes in regulations
- As much as a third of personal care products contain at least 1 chemical linked to cancer
- Mineral oil and petroleum are the basic ingredients in many over the counter cosmetic products – these have their origins in fossil fuels.
Top 4 chemicals to avoid and why
Sodium Laureth Sulphate – Banned in Europe and Central America
- It is used because it makes things foam
- It is found in toothpaste, shampoo, body and shower gels etc.
- It’s a suspected carcinogen linked to kidney and liver damage, nervous system disruption, eczema and dermatitis
Parabens (methyl, propy., butyl & ethyl) – Banned in Japan and Sweden and under review in UK
- It’s used as a preservative or germicide
- It’s found in conditioners, hair gels, nail creams, foundations, mascara, facial masks, skin creams, deodorants, sunscreen and hair coloring
- It’s a hormone disrupter – mimics natural estrogens that lead to cancer; linked to breast cancer, skin rashes
Formaldehyde Family – Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Nitorpropane-1, Formalin, Methanol, Methyl aldehyde, Methylene Oxide etc. banned in Europe.
- It’s used because it’s a disinfectant, fungicide, germicide, defoamer and preservative
- It’s found in shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, liquid hand wash, skin lotions, bubble bath, hair care
- It can cause allergic reactions, dermatitis, headaches; it irritates mucous membranes, is linked to joint and chest pain, fatigue, dizziness and immune dysfunction
Phthalates – banned in Europe.
- Used because it makes plastic soft
- Found in nail polish, hair-straighteners and sprays, body lotions and deodorants
- It’s a carcinogen linked to birth defects, lowered sperm counts, damage to reproductive organs, lung, liver and kidney cancer
For natural clean products, I recommend Young Living, Melaluca and AMG Natually. You can check your products by going to EWG skin deep