Often the beauty and personal care products we buy in our search for beauty and good health are in fact filled with toxins. The synthetic chemicals mimic estrogen and studies indicate that exposure to estrogen increases our cancer risk. Some of these chemicals are also linked to birth defects, learning disabilities and other health and beauty problems now epidemic in our society.
Using just 9 products (e.g. shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, skin lotion, makeup, etc.) per day means we are using 126 chemical ingredients.
Terms like 'natural,' 'organic' and the latest buzzword, 'green' offer no guarantee of the safety of these products.
health and beauty
The only thing that will work in eliminating these toxins is deciding to be an educated consumer. The following 3 suggestions can help and save us a lot of money.
First, know the ingredients (list below) that are known to cause illness.Watch out specifically for phthalates - banned in many countries, parabens and petrochemicals. Check the websites listed below for which products contain these chemicals and what are the reported illnesses:
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Phthalates - according to the NRC for Women and Families, in 10/07 CA banned the use of this chemical in children's toys and childcare products.
Sodium lauryl sulfate - (aka SLS) - found in shampoos, hair conditioners, toothpaste, body washes; a strong detergent which can cause permanent damage to eyes, esp. in children, skin rashes, hair loss, mouth ulcerations, flaking skin. When used with other ingredients can form nitrosamines which are carcinogenic. Can lodge in the heart, liver, lungs and brain.
Additional chemicals to watch out for - and research - are:
methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl paraban
imidazolindyl urea
petrolatum
propylene glycol
pvp/v copolymer
stearalkonium chloride
synthetic colors
synthetic fragrance
triethanolamine
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The Environmental Working Group (ewg - see website below) performed lab tests on twenty teenaged girls between the ages of 14-19 and detected 16 chemicals in urine and blood samples.
In all my research it seems that the highest concern products are:
hair color and bleach
hair relaxers
nail polish
skin lightener
nail treatments
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Stay healthy! (and see related links below)
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