Ever wonder what those ingredients listed on the back of your shampoo bottle are?? You know, all those weird names you can’t pronounce. They sound scary don’t they – Diazolidinyl Urea? Well, its not like you are eating it, right? But did you know your skin is highly permeable, which means anything you put on it gets absorbed into your body.
Lets talk about some common cosmetic products and the strange ingredients you may find in them. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS) is a common ingredient in many face washes, shampoo, soap and toothpaste. It is responsible for the nice foamy lather these products make. But did you know it is also used as a garage floor cleaner and engine degreaser – scary!! SLS is known to cause cataracts, retard healing, irritate skin and worse – react with other chemicals to create cancer-causing agents.
What about creams, lotions and sunscreen – surely they are safe. Unfortunately, many of these products contain propylene glycol – an industrial anti-freeze and the major ingredient in brake and hydraulic fluid. As well, many contain glycerin, which draws moisture to the top layers of skin, robbing it from the lower layer – essentially drying the skin from the inside out. With all these chemicals, it makes you wonder if we are cleaning our bodies or our cars??
Most creams, shampoo and soaps also contain fragrances made from hazardous compounds. Even unscented products contain chemicals to mask the smell of other ingredients. These chemicals can cause nausea, mood change, depression, lethargy, restlessness, irritability, anger and memory lapses. Look for products that use natural fragrances and essential oils.
Another chemical irritant is ammonia. It is frequently found in hair dyes and carries with it the risk of skin rashes and cancer. I ask you ladies – is it worth it?? Better to use Henna or an ammonia-free natural hair dye.
Harmful metals have been discovered in many popular brands of lipstick and nearly all antiperspirants. Lead is the dangerous metal that has been found in lipstick. There is no safe level of lead exposure. It is particularly hazardous for pregnant women and young children. Lead is a neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression.
Lets not forget our antiperspirant, or maybe we should so we can remember things in our older years!! Many antiperspirants contain aluminum, which The Journal of Clinical Epidemiology has found increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Better options are natural deodorants that do not contain aluminum.
If you wish to continue using these products, I only ask you to wear full body protection. After all, that is what the government recommends for people who are around these chemicals everyday. If your want to read more about safe cosmetics go to: www.safecosmetics.org. Please share this information with friends, family and co-workers – many people just don’t know the dangers hiding in the products they use everyday.