Article written by Balm of Zarahemla
Many
of us are becoming increasingly aware of the presence
and effects of toxic substances in our environment. We
grow or purchase organically grown food and filtered
water. We support legislation for clean air and
reduction of chemical emissions. We take nutritional
supplements to combat the effects of toxins. These are
well known sources of toxins. Many consumers are not
aware of the presence of toxic substances in our skin
and hair care products and cosmetics. These are
products we and our families use every day from infancy
through old age.
The skin is more than a covering for the body. It is actually the largest organ in the body. The skin helps release toxins from the body and readily absorbs many of the substances applied to it into the blood stream. There are a vast array of artificial substances added to our skin care products. There are many of these substances that can cause skin irritations, eczema and psoriasis. Some of the substances are cancer causing agents. More disturbing, is many skin care products are labeled "natural" or "contains essential oils" when only a minute portion of the product is indeed natural. This is very misleading to the consumer. Bar soaps are among the least regulated products under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Next time you are in the grocery store, look at the ingredient labels on the soap packages and see if you can figure out what is actually in the product!
According to Linda Chae, a world renowned expert in cosmecuticals, the word "non-toxic" on a label does not necessarily mean safe, but can mean that up to half of the laboratory animals exposed to the product through ingestion or inhalation die within two weeks. I question why do we need to introduce ingredients in skin care products that involve animal testing?
The skin is more than a covering for the body. It is actually the largest organ in the body. The skin helps release toxins from the body and readily absorbs many of the substances applied to it into the blood stream. There are a vast array of artificial substances added to our skin care products. There are many of these substances that can cause skin irritations, eczema and psoriasis. Some of the substances are cancer causing agents. More disturbing, is many skin care products are labeled "natural" or "contains essential oils" when only a minute portion of the product is indeed natural. This is very misleading to the consumer. Bar soaps are among the least regulated products under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Next time you are in the grocery store, look at the ingredient labels on the soap packages and see if you can figure out what is actually in the product!
According to Linda Chae, a world renowned expert in cosmecuticals, the word "non-toxic" on a label does not necessarily mean safe, but can mean that up to half of the laboratory animals exposed to the product through ingestion or inhalation die within two weeks. I question why do we need to introduce ingredients in skin care products that involve animal testing?
Below is a
list of commonly used harmful ingredients in skin care
products:
1. Triclosan - This chemical is an antimicrobial ingredient that is appearing in many products such as from soap, lotions, diaper wipes, toothpaste and mouth wash. The EPA registers it as a pesticide, giving it high scores as a risk to both human health and the environment. It is similar in chemical structure and molecular function as dioxin, PCB and Agent Orange. It belongs to a class of chemicals suspected of causing cancer.
2. Imidazoldinyl Urea and Diazoldinyl Urea - These are commonly used preservatives. They are well established as a primary cause of contact dermatitis by the American Academy of Dermatology.
3. Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben - These are widely used microbial growth inhibitors. They are known toxins and have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes.
4. Petroleum - Can interfere with the body's own moisturizing mechanism , leading to dry skin and chapping. It also can promote sensitivity of the skin to the sun.
5. Propylene Glycol - This can be a natural substance, vegetable glycerine mixed with grain alcohol. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix and has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions.
6. PVP/VA Copolymer - A petroleum derived chemical used in hair sprays and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles irritate the lungs of sensitive persons.
7. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate - . The most harmful ingredient in personal care products. It may cause potentially carcinogenic nitrates and dioxin to form in the bottles of shampoos and other products. Large amounts of nitrates can enter the bloodstream with just one use. SLS has been linked to cataracts, delays in healing of corneal tissue, and impairment of the structural function of young eyes. This product is often disguised in so called natural products as "derived from coconut" but is in no way natural and is very toxic.
8. Synthetic colors - Some synthetic colors are believed to be cancer - causing agents and should be avoided.
9. Synthetic fragrances - Synthetic fragrances can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no real way to know what is really in the mixture. Artificial fragrances have been known to cause a host of problems from skin irritation, headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
10. Triethanolamine (TEA) - Used in soaps as a pH adjuster, emulsifier and preservative. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin and can be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time. This synthetic chemical may also be contaminated with nitrosamines, a potent carcinogen.
11. Mineral oil - This substance coats the skin and disrupts the skin's natural immune barrier . Baby oil is 100% mineral oil, it is found in lip balms lotions and many other products.
Truly natural handmade soaps and shampoos and skin care products do not contain these harmful additives . Chemical and artificial ingredients are not the only things that make commercial soaps an inferior product. Commercial soaps use sodium tallowate, which means animal fats. Now many say, animal fats have been used in soap making for hundreds of years. We have learned that animal fats may actually clog skin pores. Using vegetable oils such as olive oil, leaves a breathable protective barrier on the skin. Vegetable oils also aid in softening the skin.
Many commercial soaps remove the natural glycerine made during the saponification (the chemical reaction of oils and lye). Then add back in detergents for a cheaper lather, a petroleum by product. Petroleum can interfere with the skin's natural moisturizing mechanism.
The best way to avoid harmful substances is to read product labels. Refuse to accept chemically adulterated products. There are many healthy alternatives available. Truly natural handmade soaps, shampoos and skin care products are safer and superior products for you and your family.
1. Triclosan - This chemical is an antimicrobial ingredient that is appearing in many products such as from soap, lotions, diaper wipes, toothpaste and mouth wash. The EPA registers it as a pesticide, giving it high scores as a risk to both human health and the environment. It is similar in chemical structure and molecular function as dioxin, PCB and Agent Orange. It belongs to a class of chemicals suspected of causing cancer.
2. Imidazoldinyl Urea and Diazoldinyl Urea - These are commonly used preservatives. They are well established as a primary cause of contact dermatitis by the American Academy of Dermatology.
3. Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben - These are widely used microbial growth inhibitors. They are known toxins and have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes.
4. Petroleum - Can interfere with the body's own moisturizing mechanism , leading to dry skin and chapping. It also can promote sensitivity of the skin to the sun.
5. Propylene Glycol - This can be a natural substance, vegetable glycerine mixed with grain alcohol. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix and has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions.
6. PVP/VA Copolymer - A petroleum derived chemical used in hair sprays and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles irritate the lungs of sensitive persons.
7. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate - . The most harmful ingredient in personal care products. It may cause potentially carcinogenic nitrates and dioxin to form in the bottles of shampoos and other products. Large amounts of nitrates can enter the bloodstream with just one use. SLS has been linked to cataracts, delays in healing of corneal tissue, and impairment of the structural function of young eyes. This product is often disguised in so called natural products as "derived from coconut" but is in no way natural and is very toxic.
8. Synthetic colors - Some synthetic colors are believed to be cancer - causing agents and should be avoided.
9. Synthetic fragrances - Synthetic fragrances can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no real way to know what is really in the mixture. Artificial fragrances have been known to cause a host of problems from skin irritation, headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
10. Triethanolamine (TEA) - Used in soaps as a pH adjuster, emulsifier and preservative. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin and can be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time. This synthetic chemical may also be contaminated with nitrosamines, a potent carcinogen.
11. Mineral oil - This substance coats the skin and disrupts the skin's natural immune barrier . Baby oil is 100% mineral oil, it is found in lip balms lotions and many other products.
Truly natural handmade soaps and shampoos and skin care products do not contain these harmful additives . Chemical and artificial ingredients are not the only things that make commercial soaps an inferior product. Commercial soaps use sodium tallowate, which means animal fats. Now many say, animal fats have been used in soap making for hundreds of years. We have learned that animal fats may actually clog skin pores. Using vegetable oils such as olive oil, leaves a breathable protective barrier on the skin. Vegetable oils also aid in softening the skin.
Many commercial soaps remove the natural glycerine made during the saponification (the chemical reaction of oils and lye). Then add back in detergents for a cheaper lather, a petroleum by product. Petroleum can interfere with the skin's natural moisturizing mechanism.
The best way to avoid harmful substances is to read product labels. Refuse to accept chemically adulterated products. There are many healthy alternatives available. Truly natural handmade soaps, shampoos and skin care products are safer and superior products for you and your family.
Sources of information:
Hampton, Aubrey, Natural and Organic Hair and Skin Care,
Organica Press
Miller Cavitch, Susan, The Natural Soap Book, Storey Publishing
The Linda Chae Home page: http://www.lindachae.com