Most of us know that the chemicals in our household cleaners can be hazardous so we generally take precautions in their use but it is important to also note that the commercially prepared shampoo, soap, lotion, and conditioners we use to cleanse with could also be exposing us to an array of chemical toxins. We read the ingredient list on the foods we eat but we should also be reading the ingredient list on the products that absorb through our skin as well.
It doesn't stop there. The makeup, fragrance, and other cosmetic beauty products so many of us use on a daily basis can also contain these compounds and the combined toxic overload can become a deadly combination. It is important to know that the products you use on a daily basis are safe and awareness is the key.
Are you dying to be beautiful? What you don't know about the personal care products you use can hurt you. There can be a toxic mix in the products you believe to be safe for your use. Questionable dyes, lead, BPA, hazardous chemicals, and even formaldehyde are found within many common cosmetics, personal care, and beauty products. This daily influx of toxic substances into the body can be the reason for some very serious health issues, chronic illness, or even cancer.
Knowing which cosmetic and personal care ingredients are designated as having questionable health implications may help to improve your health as well as that of your family. Even an unborn child is at risk as chemicals absorbed through the skin of a pregnant mom pass through to her fetus.
The Environmental Working Group has identified these ingredients as being detrimental to human health. Before you buy, check out the ingredient list on your makeup, cosmetic, and personal care products to insure they do not contain these potentially dangerous items. These are the ingredients currently available for human use that experts want banned from personal care products:
DibutylphthalateDMDM
hydantoinDiazolidinyl
ureaImidazolidinyl
ureaMethenamineQuarternium-15ParabenPolyethylene
glycol Colourings listed as CI and then followed by a five digit numberIngredients ending in siloxane ie: cyclotetrasiloxane
Ingredients ending in methiconeSodium lauryl sulfate & Sodium laureth sulfatTriclosanParfum or fragrance (This generic title can hide potentially dangerous chemicals within it.)
There are safety concerns and warnings associated with many of the common ingredients currently found in our beauty and personal care products. The sad truth on the matter of regulations involving make-up, cosmetics, lotions, shampoos and other personal use products is that legislation can be outdated or may not even exist on some of these products.
Within the United States the last extensive changes to legislation passed on the safety of personal care cosmetic products was back in 1938 and this legislation granted the decision making on these products to be regulated by the cosmetic industry itself. Now realizing that the safety of entire families is at risk due the harmful ingredients within these commonly used cosmetic products the US Congress has been working on new legislation which will hopefully repair the current gaps in the former to increase consumer safety.
Unintentional poisoning is a consequence no one wants to face. Within Canada many of the current makeup, cosmetics, and personal care products choices available to consumers contain ingredients which currently appear on ingredient lists as being harmful to human health.
Be Naturally Beautiful - Choose Your Products Wisely
Sunscreen, mosquito deterrent, hair dye, shampoo, and hand lotion, each of these items have one thing in common they can all contain chemicals which may be harmful when applied to your skin.
I picked up the paper one day to discover that a large corporation was being sued for its use of talc in baby products. I was shocked when I read that talc may cause some forms of lung and breast cancer. Talc as in baby powder? Talc has been used for many years as a common ingredient of women's dusting and facial powders. Traditionally it has also been used on the bottoms of babies to keep their skin soft and dry. It is only recently that the debate on its use has come to light. This powder could be hurting the most vulnerable members of the family. Keep talc off your purchase list and switch to healthier options instead.
Personal care products really can be kind to your skin and when you choose the ingredients before you purchase then you know that these items will be safe for you and your family to use. It is why going natural can feel so good. Being beautiful should not have to hurt when there are healthier products out there. Read the ingredient list on every item you purchase. We do have healthier options.
If you are seriously looking for natural personal care products take a peek in your kitchen. There are many more uses for these and many other naturally safe personal care products that you will find in your kitchen.
Green tea: Has antibacterial properties. Can be used for cleansing, soaking, rinsing, or gargling.
Olive Oil: Soothing to use as hand cream or hair conditioner. Great for removing make-up or moisturizing hair.
Coconut Oil: For a hand lotion or as a hair conditioner this oil is being touted as a sensational natural beauty product.
Lemon Juice: Can lighten hair colour.
Vinegar: Hair rinse to remove greasy buildup.
Baking soda: Natural toothpaste or bath tub soak. Baking soda can also be used to freshen shoes, household air cleansing, or other cleaning jobs within the home.
Oatmeal: For washing, soaking.
Cucumber slices: Lay on tired eyes to help reduce swelling and dark circles.
You generally read the list of ingredients on the packages of food you purchase so take a minute to read the list of ingredients on every product that touches your skin before you purchase it. It's a simple thing but it can make a huge difference to your health. Your skin absorbs the ingredients that lotions, shampoos, makeup, perfumes, cosmetics, and other personal care products contain within them so insure that these ingredients are safe to be in your body. There are a number of chemicals approved for these personal care products which can be quite toxic with long term use.
Don't presume a tag that claims a product is herbal or natural. Read the ingredient list anyway, this is always the correct way to determine if a product is safe. Also important to note is that many essential oils can be harmful to pets, those with sensitivities, or younger members of the family. Some individuals and those with breathing issues can be especially prone to scent sensitivity. For the safety of your family make wise choices in the cosmetics and other personal care products which you select for your family's personal use.
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