It's been awhile! Five months actually. Wow, almost a half a year has passed and I have learned a lot about environmental health issues, however I have not had the time to synthesize or learn about potential solutions to the issues that have been brought to my attention. (I'm working on it...)
One of the reasons (besides time) I haven't come on here was precisely because I wanted to offer some alternatives for you rather than put you what I have been through where I just hear over and over that such and such is bad for you and such and such and such and such and SUCH! It gets old and overwhelming, and while they say change little parts of your life one step at a time, it ain't easy. Baby Steps is what Bill Murray would call it, but hey Baby Steps when you are an adult used to your adult norms and habits is tough! AND Baby Steps are a lot harder to take versus when you were young, naive and cute...and not to mention when life wasn't so complicated and you didn't really have to think for yourself. Well let's not be discouraged, let's not judge ourselves and let's just give it a try!
Despite my intentions of giving you lots of solutions, I want to at least speak about
part of the progress of one of my latest projects--getting all those toxic beauty products out of my life! While I can't offer you a lot, I'd like to at least get you thinking. Did you know that the typical American has at least 700 chemicals in their body and most babies have at least 200 of these chemicals transferred to them from their mother? (Green Up Your Clean Up). Yuck. Like I said, I am a person who doesn't feel like I wear that much make-up or take enough showers to be affected by all these chemicals, but it is the "body burden," the cumulative collection of all of these chemicals we are exposed to that make the difference, so here I am trying to make a small difference in my life and in yours.
Here are some common ingredients you might want to watch out for in your beauty products or when shopping for new stuff. It might help to write down (start a list, because unfortunately as more research comes out and the more educated we become, we find more to add). Plus when you write it down it is one less think you have to hold in your memory. Leave the overwhelming feelings on the paper don't store it in your body.
Here is my list so far, I am creating it on my own with the help of experts in the field. Please feel free to use whatever I have here to add to your naughty or nice list :) I hope to soon be able to post some products I feel comfortable promoting...until then it is trial and error for me and a whole lot of research (and walking around make-up free). And I have also come to conclusion for now, that if I find a product with one bad ingredient but that is missing several others that are normally present rather than getting mad about it, I try to be positive that it is better than other products and better to use until I find another alternative. You can only win so many and any bit helps is my attitude and approach surrounding this topic. It's the only attitude to have!
In no particular order here are some of big ones that most people know about, and if not, don't worry, now you know:
•Parabens — Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl — Widely used as cosmetic preservatives and antimicrobials, even though they are known to be toxic and a leading cause of contact dermatitis. In addition, methyl paraben combines benzoic acid with the methyl group of chemicals, which are highly toxic. These can appear on labels as p-hydroxybenzoate (or PHB) esters. Some studies have shown that parabens mimic estrogen in rodents. The chemicals also have been shown to stimulate growth of human breast-cancer cells in the lab. A University of Reading study, published in the January 2004 Journal of Applied Toxicology, found that 18 of 20 breast tumors studied contained significant concentrations of parabens. This ingredient has been singled out and you might see in the grocery store products that now say "Paraben free." (Info shared from
MotherLove's website)
•Phthalates — generally covered by the general term “fragrance,” and readily absorbed by our fingernails, skin and lungs. In July 2005, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported finding the metabolized forms of dibutyl phthalates, used in nail polish and synthetic fragrance, in every person tested in their national “body burden” study. Phthalates can lead to liver cancer and birth defects in lab animals. A study published in May 2005 from the University of Minnesota, Environmental Health Perspectives, found a connection between phthalates and genital abnormalities in baby boys. (Info shared from
MotherLove's website)
•Sodium Lauryl Sulfate(SLS), also known as sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) — A synthetic substance primarily used in shampoos for its detergent and foam-building abilities. It can cause eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, dry skin and allergic reactions. It is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the parenthetic explanation that it “comes from coconut.” In a 1983 report on the safety of sodium lauryl sulfate, The Journal of the American College of Toxicology concluded that “studies have indicated that sodium lauryl sulfate enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, lungs and the brain from skin contact.” (Info shared from
MotherLove's website)
•Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum - These petroleum products coat the skin like plastic – clogging pores and creating a build-up of toxins. They can slow cellular development, creating earlier signs of aging. They’re implicated as a suspected cause of cancer. Plus, they can disrupt hormonal activity. When you think about black oil pumped from deep underground, ask yourself why you’d want to put that kind of stuff on your skin… (Info shared from
Dr. Mercola's article)
•Propylene glycol - Common cosmetic moisturizer and carrier for fragrance oils.May cause dermatitis and skin irritation. May inhibit skin cell growth. Linked to kidney and liver problems.(Info shared from
Dr. Mercola's article)
Beyond those biggies, many products can also contain other toxic ingredients, such as allergens, toxic hormonal ingredients, and known carcinogens such as that are mentioned less:
•Ethylene oxide
•Dioxane
•Nitrosamines
•Formaldehyde
•Acrylamide - Found in many facial creams. Linked to mammary tumors.(Info shared from
Dr. Mercola's article)
These are known carcinogens, and should not be present in anything you slather on your skin. Epstein says:
“… the evidence which we’ve accumulated so far, is largely restricted to the fact that they [nano particles] get into your bloodstream and reach organs throughout your body.
And as far as the brain is concerned, we have actual evidence of entry into the brain and producing toxic effects -- lesions, small lesions, toxic effects in the brain.” (Shared from
Dr. Mercola's website)
Unfortunately the list could go on and on (of big and small ingredients to be concerned about), so for the sake of not losing your attention anymore than I already have, for more info here is an awesome link to the
Cosmetic Safety Database, called Skin Deep. If you feel overwhelmed by just thinking about the few ingredients I mentioned, maybe wait a day to visit this database because it shares information on ingredients in over 25,000 products...yikes!
If you want to start smaller and don't know what to search for or how to even start, a good place to begin is this particular section in the website called,
"What not to buy". I'm finding this section and the search engine are helpful if you want to know the dirt on a certain product you want or have. The only trouble is obviously not
all products are listed, but its a start and an easier approach than just making a list and walking store to store reading the backs of labels.
Also, for me it has helped to know the person making my beauty products. If you know the person, you can ask questions to their face about ingredients. It always makes you feel warm inside when you can put a name to a face. Some Farmer's Markets have such vendors available. The best shampoo and conditioner I have found so far is from the company
Green Body, which is based out in Roseville. I met the founder at a wellness event last February. While it has taken some getting use to (any of you who have switched to natural hair products know what I am talking about), I am adjusting to the change and can't complain if it means that I am doing something that is good for my health and relieves my body burden.
That's all the food for thought I have organized for now. Good luck with your lists, and if you have any suggestions or favorite non-toxic, organic, safe-to-use beauty products, please send me an email or post to share with the e-community :) Baby Steps...
