Have you ever thought about how many dangerous chemicals we come in contact with every day? And would you have any idea where they are?
No?
I'll give you a hint: what you eat, what you drink, what you use for bathing, washing your hands, perfuming yourself, putting on makeup, moisturizing your skin, etc. Sad is not it.
So where we can avoid such contact, we are gaining health. Here are some examples of what surrounds us:
DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine) and TEA (Triethanolamine): This foam booster is a skin/eye irritant, causing contact dermatitis. Easily absorbed through the skin to accumulate in body organs, even the brain. Repeated use has resulted in large increases in liver and kidney cancers. Beware of those who only like products that make LOTS of FOAM!
Dioxin: Does not appear in the ingredients list. Often contained in antibacterial ingredients like triclosan, emulsifiers, dowels and ethoxylated cleansers like Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate. Dioxin causes cancer, reduced immunity, nervous system disorders, miscarriages, and birth deformities. It's a hormone-disrupting chemical with toxic effects measured in parts per trillion, one drop in 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools! Our bodies have no defense against its damage.
DMDM Hydantoin: Just one of many preservatives that often release formaldehyde, which can cause joint pain, cancer, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep . Exposure can irritate the respiratory system, cause heart palpitations or asthma, worsen coughing and colds.
FD&C Color & Pigments not safe for body: some synthetic dyes from coaltar contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins in the skin, causing skin sensitivity/irritation. Absorption can cause oxygen depletion and death. Animal studies show almost all are carcinogenic.
Parabens (Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Propyl): Used as preservatives and are not always labeled parabens. They are used in deodorants and antiperspirants and have been found in breast cancer tumors. Parabens, like xenoestrogens (hormone disruptors), can contribute to sterility in male mice and humans. Like estrogen, the activity causes hormonal imbalance in women and precocious puberty.
PEG (Polyethylene Glycol): Manufactured by ethoxylation of propylene glycol. Dangerous levels of dioxin have been found as a by-product of the ethoxylation process. PEGs are in everything including personal care, baby care products and sunscreens.
Phthalates: Xenoestrogens are commonly found in many products, usually not listed on labels. Health effects include liver/kidney damage, birth defects, decreased sperm count and early breast development in girls and boys.
Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol: Petroleum plastics act as surfactants (wetting agents, solvents). EPA considers PG so toxic that it requires protective gloves, clothing, eyewear, and disposal by burying. Since PG penetrates the skin so quickly, EPA cautions against skin contact to prevent brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. There are NO warning labels on products where the concentration is higher than in most industrial applications.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES): Detergents and surfactants that pose serious health threats. Used in car washes, garage floor cleaning, engine degreasers and 90 percent of personal care products that foam. Animals exposed to SLS suffered eye damage, depression, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation, even death. SLS can also damage the skin's immune system, causing layers to separate, inflame and age. People insist on products that make A LOT of FOAM!
HER TIP: use organic products, that is, those that do not have such chemical products.
Conclusion: Always choose organic natural cosmetics. Read labels and search carefully. In general, all the big brands usually use many of the ingredients listed above.
Good luck.
SOURCES:
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/programs/antibacterials/triclosan
http://www.naturalnews.com/044690_liver_health_damage_poor_diet.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21155623
http:/ /annq.org/eventos/upload/1330119994.pdf
