You wake up every day and go about your usual routine, shower, hair wash, moisturizers and cosmetics for the ladies, shaving for the men, deodorant, clean your teeth, maybe some cologne or perfume and you are all set for the day ahead, fresh clean and…natural?! Hang on a minute…let’s take a step back, your bathroom may be a potential minefield of harsh chemicals and petroleum based products.
what's in your beauty care?
Let’s look at the bigger picture and start with a little exercise. Take all your bathroom products, line them up then make a list of the all ingredients, I can guarantee that you will not know what most of the “stuff” in the products is. Now take a moment to think about this, your scalp absorbs everything put on it, shampoos, conditioners, styling products (incidentally where there are bubbles, there’s usually sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), two harsh surfactants that are known eye and skin irritants. SLES is the gentler of the pair, but it is often contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, a probable human carcinogen, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When this chemical swirls down your drain, it enters the waterway and can build up in marine life!)
Your skin also absorbs everything, from the soap you use to cleanse to the lipstick or shaving balm you put on. Deodorants which have a possible association to breast cancer, contain triclosan (a endocrine disruptor). In addition, many formulas contain a laundry list of other potentially dangerous ingredients including formaldehyde, fragrance, parabens, phthalates, aluminum, talc and petroleum distillates. Toothpaste also contains triclosan and detergents to make it foam.
Finally, we all want to smell good but at what cost. Synthetic fragrances whether in your perfume bottle or added to personal care products, contain a host of hidden hazards: neurotoxins, phthalates (which are banned in Europe) and synthetic musks, which are toxic to marine life and are possible hormone disrupters. Plus, fragrances are one of the top five allergens.
Lots of information to take in, and this Is only the tip of the iceberg. Start by making a change for the better, research and choose 100% natural products, clean out your bathroom, feel the benefits and be happy in the knowledge you are also saving the planet as well as yourself and please take a few moments to watch The Story of Cosmetics video.
Wendy
Wendy Chambers lives in Golden, British Columbia, Canada. She is a self-proclaimed, full-fledged eco chick striving to provide an organic and sustainable life for her family. Wendy recycles, upcycles old furniture, uses environmentally friendly products, and eats mainly organic homegrown veggies from her own garden and eggs from her hens. She has spent the last 15 years learning and living a greener lifestyle and hopes to share her findings by creating a local green business directory. She has also recently become a representative of Miessence (ONEgroup) providing 100% natural/certified organic personal care products.
Excellent informative article! Everyday usage of these beauty 'bars and tins', without even considering the effects on ourselves and the environment can be extremely damaging!! Look before you buy!
Thank you Andrew
There is so much out there that has an affect on our health and well being. Sometimes it's just so overwhelming and after reading this post I'm sure I need to make another pass through my bathroom to get rid of more toxic stuff. Slowly but surely I'm getting rid of the worst offenders…I hope.
Kimberly
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