Toxic Beauty Creams 10 Years on.

This is a headline from the Daily Express from the year 2000. I can also remember a very similar one back in 2008. My point here is that most of the chemicals named in these shock articles are still with us, in everyday beauty products. It's not just women using these high risk lotions and potions, men are effected too. If you look at the number of products in your own bathroom that contain Paraben , SLS or anything referred to as PEG, they are all bad news.

I've covered a lot of these toxic chemicals and their uses in my previous posts. My main concern is that the movement against these chemicals is growing, yet they are still in daily use. I've been reading more and more about the dangers to unborn children, as well as adults. The question needs to be asked, why on earth is this a legal practice? If a company was to pollute our drinking water or even a local river, there would be outrage. Yet here we are 10 years on from these revelations and it seems to just be ignored. That's my rant for today. As I keep saying my personal choice is not to buy or use any of these commercial products. I can't help but wonder why anybody would!

Organic Skin Care

Organic Skin Care

Just stumbled across this and decided to share it here.

What does Fregrance mean in toiletries?

Fragrance could mean up to 4000 different chemicals in your toiletries. So shampoo, moisturisers, bodywash and foam bath could include some very unsavoury ingredients. For example Phthalate a group of chemicals know as artificial musk and a real hidden danger. They can be absorbed by the skin of inhaled and will accumulate in the body. Linked to both cancer and male reproductive disorders, not something you would choose.

95% of chemicals used in fragrance are synthetic, derived from pertroleum, including Benzene derivatives. These are known to cause cancer, birth defects and many, many more unwanted side effects. The next time you buy a product to use on you skin or hair, take a minute to read the ingredients. I always look for natural oils and never buy anything with term fragrance or perfum. This is a loophole in the regulations that many of the large commercial companies use, to great effect. So the message is read carefully to avoid the hidden dangers.

Organic Skin Care - Chemical Free

I have been using an Organic Skincare range from Henora Natural for some time now. Mostly due to the fact it's Paraben, SLS and Phthalate free. As you will have read in my previous posts I am avoiding all of these chemicals. I was impressed with the fact that Henora Natural only use certified organic ingredients and no chemicals at all. So far I've used the Lavender rich face cream, which you can use everywhere. The Henora Natural Rich Cream Scrub and I've just started to use some Organic Soap. The first thing I noticed about the soap was the rich creamy lather. I have to say I was a little surprised. I guess I expected it to be less creamy and more soapy. I can suffer with dry skin and so far I have had no problems at all. Something that I report is that these product go a long way. You don't need much.

I'm going to continue using these product and give you a full review on each one. I'm just about to order my second Lavender moisturiser and I've told a couple of friends about it too. Hopefully I can use their feedback to give a fair opinion. There is a 30 day money back guarantee from Henora Natural and that shows confidence in the product.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) What is it?

Found in shampoos, hair conditioners, toothpaste's, body washes. Strong detergent which can cause eye irritation, permanent damage to the eyes, especially in children, skin rashes, hair loss, flaking skin and mouth ulceration.

When combined with other ingredients, can form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. Easily penetrates the skin and can lodge itself in the heart, lungs, liver and brain.

Industrial Use
1. Harsh Floor Cleaners
2. Engine Degreasers
3. Car Wash Detergents
4. Laundry Detergents

Personal Care Products
1. Toothpaste
2. Shampoos
3. Body Gels
4. Bubble Baths
5. Facial Cleansers
6. Baby Wipes
7. Baby Shampoos & Bubble Baths

SLS can damage the immune system; causing separation of skin layers and inflammation of skin. -Journal of the American College of Toxicology; Vol. 2, No. 7, 1983

SLS penetrates into the skin and into the eyes, and is also held in the brain, heart and liver. A single drop stays in the brain and body for a few days - Doctor's worry: Is your baby safe? -By David L. Kern, New health and longevity

SLS is a mutagen. It is capable of changing the information in genetic material found in cells. SLS has been used in studies to induce mutagen in bacteria. -Higuchi, Araya and Higuchi, school of medicine, Tohoku University: Sendai 980 Japan

SLS is a potent carcinogen when contaminated with any nitrosamines. -FDA Report 1978

This is another chemical I avoid at all costs. I was amazed to find it in so many everyday products. The biggest shock to me was that most of the research I'm quoting here is over 30 years old! I don't know about you but I will make sure none of this stuff comes in to my home.

What are Parabens and why are they bad?

You might have been told about how you should avoid parabens in the skincare products you buy, but you may well be asking yourself why you should worry.. After doing some research recently, I have decided not to buy any products that contain parabens.

Parabens can be found in shampoos, moisturizers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, hair gels and toothpaste. They can also be found in some foods. A very large percentage of everyday products contain some sort of paraben, it can be difficult to find products without them.

Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen. This is known to play a part in the development of breast cancers. Do you really want to take the chance that they might do so? In the July 2002 issue of the Archives of Toxicology , Dr. S. Oishi of the Department of Toxicology, Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory of Public Health reported that exposure of newborn male mammals to butylparaben “adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system.” There are are many other reports available all over the internet, most of them are all related to reproductive health in some way or another. This is something that should be of concern.

Research is still ongoing in to how and why parabens might affect development and growth of both babies and adults. I have decided to not to useany products that have it and replace them with safer natural alternatives.. There is no harm being careful. History shows us that things we were told were safe have often proved not to be. In fact the list of so called scientific advances that have back fired is very long indeed. So I'm using my common sense and keeping clear of something that really is easy to avoid.