The founder of Bubble Goddess Bath Co., Jennifer Leete, does a presentation called, “Is There Cancer In Your Lotion?” The premise is to show people that many, many products have ingredients that are harmful to us and our families. Once participants go home and do some of their own investigation, they usually realize that even some of the most well-known and trusted brands have ingredients that are carcinogenic and estrogenic. This is of great concern for adults but pose an even bigger threat for our babies and children since much of what is harmful effects hormones which in turn impacts human development. Since our skin is our largest organ, it is extremely important that we know what we are putting on it. Everything goes from our skin directly into our bloodstream. It is therefore as important to consider what we put on our bodies as what we put in them.
So what exactly makes a product harmful? Environmental Working Group, in the fall of 2008, published the top six (6) ingredients to avoid in your products. They are: (1) fragrance; (2) alpha and beta hydroxy acids, used in anti-aging products; (3) parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, etc.), used as preservatives; (4) triethanolamine, used in many kinds of products including moisturizer, mascara, sunscreen, eye makeup remover, shaving cream and more; (5) iodopropynyl btylcaramate, used in sunscreen, moisturizer, styling gel, shampoo, conditioner, and more; and (6) triclosan, used in antibacterial products. I would add to this list sodium laryl sulfates and sodium laureth sulfates—these are used to make your products lather.
In addition to avoiding the ingredients listed above, there are other steps you can take to keep yourself and your family safe. They include the following:
1. Use plain soap. Avoid bath and beauty bars with fragrances, dyes and preservatives.
2. Don’t trust the claims. Read the ingredients. Learn about them.
3. Buy products scented only with essential oils. Products with “fragrance” on the ingredient list may contain chemicals linked to allergies and reproductive problems.
4. Avoid products with proprietary or trademarked ingredients like “preservatives” or “colors” that contain chemical concern.
5. Simpler is generally safer. Fewer ingredients usually mean lower risk.
6. Be wary of any ingredients you are unable to pronounce or names which are made up of a combination of numbers and letters!
As consumers, it is imperative that we begin to pay more attention to what is in our products. As we learn more, we can begin to “buycott” products that contain harmful ingredients. This will send a strong message to manufacturers and our government that we need change. Before you throw away everything in your cabinets and cupboards, take time to get familiar with the products you use through Environmental Working Group and Skin Deep. You can look up many of the skincare, hair care and body care products you currently use to see how they are rated on a scale of 0 to 10 (“0″ being the safest). Skin Deep also breaks each product down and lists their ingredients as well as their potential effects. As you look at products, keep in mind that byproducts caused by chemical reactions through combining ingredients can also occur but are not listed. In Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano, she states she is comfortable using products that are rated between 0 and 4. Each of us must decide for ourselves what feels safest.
Information is power, so get informed. From there, you can make decisions for yourself and your family that make you comfortable. There are lots of resources. In addition to the websites listed above, Safe Cosmetics is another resource. Many books have now been written as well. These are a great way to become familiar with what has been happening and recommendations for what and how to change. Keep in mind that the websites listed here will be more up to date when you want to investigate a specific product.
The old saying, “Buyer Beware” is important to remember. Learn all you can and then sit with the information. Check in with your intuition–your heart center–to decide what is best for you and those you love. As you make decisions, remind yourself that we are all doing the best we can. Be an informed consumer and then trust your decisions.
Be well!!
