Stay Gorgeous and Healthy!

Have you ever glimpsed at the label of that fragrant silky gel you're splashing over your hands and body, or that bar of soap that promises to keep you smelling great all day long? Do you really know what's in those products you're slathering all over your body? Do you know if those ingredients are safe? Bath products could be putting you at risk for less-than-optimal skin and eye health, immune and endocrine function, and possibly even cancer, we all need to pay a little more attention to your products' ingredients.

Applying a substance to your skin isn't much different from eating it? In fact, it may be even worse. When you consider that products such as shower gels and soaps may be used daily, you can imagine the chemical residue that may build up over the years. Certain chemical ingredients can potentially cause problems for your skin when applied as a liquid or bar soap and are best avoided.

The 7 ingredients topping the "To Avoid" list include…

Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS/SLES)

 A surfactant, detergent and emulsifier used in thousands of cosmetic products, as well as in industrial cleaners. Present in nearly all shampoos, toothpastes, body washes and cleansers, liquid hand soaps, laundry detergents and bath oils and bath salts. Although SLS originates from coconuts, the manufacturing process results in SLES/SLS being contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, a carcinogenic byproduct. SLS is the sodium salt of lauryl sulfate, and is rated by the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database as a "moderate hazard."

Combined with other chemicals, SLS becomes a "nitrosamine", a potent class of carcinogen. Research studies have linked SLS to skin and eye irritation, organ toxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, cellular changes, possible mutations and cancer.

Dioxane

Common in a wide range of products as part of PEG, Polysorbates, Laureth, and ethoxylated alcohols. These compounds are usually contaminated with high concentrations of highly volatile 1,4-dioxane which is easily absorbed through your skin. This " substance has received a "high hazard" rating from EWG's Skin Deep and is especially toxic to the brain, central nervous system, kidneys and liver. A synthetic derivative of coconut, watch for misleading language on labels, stating "comes from coconut".

Avoid any product with indications of ethoxylation, which include: "myreth," "oleth," "laureth," "ceteareth," any other "eth," "PEG," "polyethylene," "polyethylene glycol," "polyoxyethylene," or "oxynol," in ingredient names.

Parabens

Widely used as preservatives in an estimated 13,200 cosmetic and skin care products, parabens have been connected with breast cancer in studies. Especially only ever use paraben free sunblock

They have hormone-disrupting qualities mimicking estrogen, and can interfere with your body's endocrine system. Studies have shown that parabens can affect your body much like estrogens, which can lead to diminished muscle mass, extra fat storage, and male breast growth. The EPA has linked methyl parabens in particular to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancers.

Propylene glycol

A common ingredient in personal care products, it's been shown to cause dermatitis, kidney or liver abnormalities, and may inhibit skin cell growth or cause skin irritation. Also found in engine coolants, antifreeze, rubber cleaners, adhesives, and paints and varnishes.WOW!

Diethanolamine or DEA

DEA readily reacts with nitrite preservatives and contaminants to create nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), a known and potent carcinogen. DEA also appears to block absorption of the nutrient choline, vital to brain development.

Triclosan

The antibacterial agent added to many liquid hand soaps to help kill germs. Triclosan is suspected of contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.Here's something else you may not know about that innocent-looking bottle of liquid hand soap sitting next to your sink. When triclosan mixes with the chlorine in your tap water, chloroform is formed, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified as a probable human carcinogen. Trihalomethanes (THMs) are Cancer Group B carcinogens, meaning they've been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Disinfection by-products (DPBs) have also been linked to reproductive problems in both animals and humans.

So, let me ask you… do you really want to put chemicals on your skin and into your body?  In my opinion, you're better off switching to skin care products made of natural plant names you recognize, can pronounce, and could even eat (if you had to).

The safest way to ensure that you're not being exposed to potentially hazardous substances is to make your own personal care products, using inexpensive all-natural ingredients that you may already have in your home.


Finding recipes for your own homemade bath and hand washing products on the internet isn't difficult. There are several great sites with free recipes. I also make all my own cleaning products with recipes found in the Gorgeously Green Book. It takes minutes to make these products and is much less expensive than buying high priced chemicals to smear around your home.


Now, before you throw out all your products, check out how they rate for safety. You can do this on a free site I have listed here. The site is called Good Guide.

Dana