Many of the personal care products in our bathrooms contain a significant amount of unregulated chemicals.
Before you purchase, check out the labels on the products and do your best to avoid the following: Parabens - (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl).
These chemicals are used as a preservative because they help prevent microbial growth, yeast and mould, ensuring the product lasts longer.
Unfortunately, parabens are known to cause many allergic reactions and skin rashes.
Parabens are absorbed easily into the body through the skin.
They simulate estrogen in the body and can disrupt the endocrine system, possibly leading to cancer in male and female reproductive systems and female breast cancer.
Petrolatum - (petroleum jelly) is used for its softening properties in makeup.
The mineral oil in petroleum jelly interferes with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dry skin and chapping.
It can also lead to photosensitivity (and potentially sun damage).
Petroleum jelly is used extensively in lip care products, ironically creating the problems it claims to address.
Petrolatums are used because it is really cheap.
Phthalates - Used significantly as a plasticizer (making hard plastics soft), phthalates are also used extensively in personal care products, like nail polish, hair-straighteners and sprays, body lotions, and deodorants.
Phthalates have been linked to endocrine disrupting chemicals and associated with premature breast developments, lowered sperm counts, birth defects, testicular deformation, damage to reproductive organs, lung, liver and kidney cancer.
Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS) - this chemical substance is used in shampoos for its detergent and foam-building abilities.
It can cause eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp flakiness similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions.
It is one of the most widespread ingredients in mainstream personal care products, yet it is one we should avoid.
In industrial cleaning, SLS is used because it is corrosive and easily attacks greasy surfaces; it is found in garage floor cleaners, and engine degreasers.
A study at the University of Georgia Medical College indicated that SLS penetrated into the eyes, as well as brain, heart, liver, and other organs, demonstrating long-term retention in the tissues.
The study also indicated that when SLS penetrated children's eyes, their eyes did not develop properly.
SLS also can lead to cataract development in adults.
Synthetic Colors - These are the chemicals added to makeup to make them aesthetically appealing to the customer.
They are labelled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number.
Example: FD&C Red No.
6 / D&C Green No.
6.
Synthetic colors are derived from coal tar and are suspected to be carcinogenic.
Synthetic Fragrances - Unfortunately synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have over 200 different ingredients, and there is no way to know what the chemicals are since the labels often just say "Fragrance.
" Potential health concerns caused by these chemicals include headaches, dizziness, rash, hyper pigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, and skin irritation.
To get chemical assessments of most personal care products, check out the Environmental Working Group site, and choose a company who is part of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Campaign.
Choose organic and natural ingredients when possible.