Okay so I'm always wondering why does everything cause cancer these days and why are we having the most bizarre health problems creep up on us. It seems like everyone I've talked to is almost "okay" with the idea that everything can kill us or make us ill. Why? Well it seems to me that it's almost too big a problem for anyone to actually want to make the effort and care. I remember a girl at work saying "Everything gives you cancer or whatever, you can't worry about it". For me however I'm just not okay with that. I want to live to be old and not so ripe. I believe that we can do better than what we have been. Just like my previous article on pet food I think we are cutting our lives short and certainly the quality at which we are living it.
The next few articles I'm going to be writing are going to be on exposing the things that we are exposing ourselves to everyday that I believe is the culprit for our rapid decline in our old age. So firstly I'm going to talk about our skin and hair care.
Have you ever tried to read the back of your lotion or shampoo bottle. I remember from the time I was a little kid I would read everything. Nothing would make sense to me. There would be this long string of scientific chemical compound words with your occasional aloe vera extract. Well for those of you who have done this as well then you know what I mean. Here is a typical ingredient list for a shampoo bottle.
These ingredients are for a L'oreal Kids Shampoo:
WATER, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, DISODIUM COCAMPHODIACETATE, PEG-30 GLYCERYL COCOATE, PEG-200 HYDROGENATED GLYCERYL PALMATE, PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATE, DISODIUM RICINOLEAMIDO MEA SULFOSUCCINATE, FRAGRANCE, SODIUM LAURETH-8 SULFATE, DISODIUM EDTA, POLYQUATERNIUM-10, SODIUM METHYLPARABEN, SODIUM OLETH SULFATE, DMDM HYDANTOIN, MAGNESIUM LAURETH SULFATE, MAGNESIUM LAURETH-8 SULFATE, MAGNESIUM OLETH SULFATE, APRICOT EXTRACT, PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRATE, D&C YELLOW 10 LAKE
This is a huge list. I want to write about some of the ingredients, not all of them but some. I want to define some of the common ones and the side effects in which they have been proven to cause by scientific testing. Okay here we go, so you will see that the second ingredient in this shampoo after Water is Sodium Laureth Sulfate this is a fancy name for a foaming agent this is what makes the shampoo get all lathered and sudsy. Sounds harmless right? Wrong. Lets read on..
SODIUM LAURETH/LAURYL SULFATE: This is actually a pretty big irritant for eyes, skin and lungs. That it can reach a toxic level in and on the body in low to moderate doses. One or more animal studies have shown that it has organ effects at low doses and broad systemic effects at moderate doses.
DISODIUM COCAMPHODIACETATE: Same as above
PEG-30 GLYCERYL COCOATE: This one "may" contain harmful impurities. It's a penetration enhancer, it alters skin structure, allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin. It also is not safe on injured or damaged skin. It is also in violation of industry recommendations.
DISODIUM EDTA: This is also a penetration enhancer. One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at low doses. So apparently it doesn't take much. This ingredient has been proven to cause cancer on one or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results.
SODIUM METHYLPARABEN: This, and all of the paraben family is a preservative. This is a human skin toxicant. It interferes with gene expression. Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers. It also adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system. It is a skin sensitizer as well and can instigate immune system response that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of the skin.
Okay, so you may have gotten the point. I could have kept going on. To get to the point basically every ingredient in that shampoo as well as most shampoo's, lotions and even toothpaste has some type of risk or has been proven to be dangerous. I recommend as always to do your own research and see what you feel comfortable with.
Now, if you are concerned the way I have been. You may start to notice that its very difficult to find products that don't have all the toxic junk in it. Well lucky for you, I have compiled a list of products that are as safe as you can get these days. Now I'm sure there are other products out there that are just as good but these are my recommendations.
Shampoo- Aubrey Organics, you can use whatever one suits your hair type. I like the Island Naturals blend and GPB blend. All the ingredients are completely natural. It doesn't have the foaming power so it may take a bit to get used to. It has a spicy earthy smell to it. I think it cleans my hair really well and I don't have to wash it as often. It doesn't have the harsh synthetic detergents that makes your hair produce more oil.
Conditoner- Aubrey Organics, I like the Island Naturals and GPB Conditoner too. Same great smell and 100% natural. It conditions well and you don't have to use alot.
Lotion- Aubrey Organics, I like the Ultimate Moist hand and body lotion in unscented. You can tell at this point I'm a big Aubrey fan. Creamy and Moisturizing and not as expensive as some of the other natural brands.
Deodorant- Now this is a big deal because aluminum which is a common ingredient in most deodorants has also been linked with breast cancer. So the deodorant I recommend is Home Health, Herbal Magic Roll on Deodorant in unsecented. This is a natural deodorant that actually works. They are hard to find but I have been satisified with this one. It is non irritating even for someone like me who shaves every day.
Bar Soap- ZUM Bar, these are made with goats milk and of course completely natural. They come in all sorts of yummy scents and fun colors.
Body Wash- Now say your a body wash sort of person or you like both bar and liquid like me. I recommend Dr. Bronners Magic Liquid Soap. They also come in different scents. I'm a big citrus fan. They are fair trade and have been around for 60 years. I like a respectable company.
Face Wash: Aubery Organics, yet again! I use the sensitive skin Vegecol with Aloe. I also like the Vegecol with Aloe face moisturizer.
Toothpaste: Toms of Maine SLS free toothpaste in peppermint. Again it doesn't foam as much or freshen quite as strongly but it works and tastes good. They also have other flavors if
you are so inclined.
Blemish Treatment: Nelsons Acne Gel, I just dab a little of this stuff which smells like tea tree oil on the offending blemish and it helps heal and disenfect it.
Body Scrub- Wild Willow Sugar Scrub, I haven't used this product yet but it has safe ingredients.
Face Scrub- Coastal Classic Creations , Blue Cornmeal Exfoliating treatment
Perfume- Aubrey Organics, Light Citrus Floral. They have four different scents depending on your preference.
Now something else I would like to point out is that none of these companies do animal testing. Which basically I have recently found out that all the regular main stream brands you would find at your local Wal-Mart do animal testing with their toxic products. The products I'm recommending are safe and therefore do not need to be tested on animals.
If you wish to purchase these products they can all be accessed through links on this page although most health food stores sell the majority of these products. This in my experience and research is the most cost effective products with the best quality ingredients. You definately get what you pay for...
Insider Info: istockphoto.com
15 years ago
