Top 7 Chemicals to Avoid in Your Body Care Products

1. Propylene Glycol (also called “propanediol”) is used to keep products moist, which is why it’s used in more than 3,000 products, including personal care products, dog food and baby wipes. Propylene glycol is a penetration enhancer, penetrating the skin’s protective barrier and carrying other chemicals into your bloodstream. It is also a skin irritant, it has been linked to cancer in lab tests, and it is possibly an endocrine disruptor and neurotoxin.

2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are used as surfactants (foaming agents) in many products. These products cause irritation to eyes and scalp, swelling of the hands, face and arms, and mimics estrogen in the body.* Laboratories use SLS to cause skin irritation, so that they can measure the effectiveness of products that sooth SLS-irritated skin! And because SLS is absorbed through the skin, tests show that permanent eye damage can occur without ever having direct contact with the eyes. Ironically, SLS is used in shampoos, where it corrodes the hair follicle and impedes hair growth, causing premature hair loss!

3. DEA (Diethanolamine) is used in hundreds of home and personal care products. When DEA combines with other ingredients it can change to form an extremely potent carcinogen which is linked to cancers of the stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder.

4. Fragrances can be one or more of 200 different chemicals. Companies don’t have to disclose the actual components of each fragrance, claiming these are “trade secrets”. Fragrances can cause many side effects, including headaches and allergic reactions.

5. Methylparaben or anything ending in “paraben”. Parabens act like estrogen in the body*, throwing off hormonal balance, and have been linked to breast cancer.

6. Tetrasodium EDTA is a preservative made from formaldehyde and sodium cyanide, both known carcinogens. Tetrasodium EDTA is also a penetration enhancer, causing it to penetrate the skin’s protective layer and carry its contents into your bloodstream.

7. Diazolidinyl Urea releases formaldehyde as it breaks down in the product or on your skin. Formaldehyde is an endocrine disruptor, a possible neurotoxin, a known immune system toxicant, and a possible carcinogen.

*Why worry about estrogens introduced through skin and hair care products? Estrogen has a potent effect on virtually all cells in your body. By introducing chemicals that mimic estrogen, you create hormonal havoc in your body. Your body can’t properly regulate the estrogen levels and that leads to problems with hormonal function. In women, this can mean menstrual problems, menopausal symptoms, and potentially infertility. In men estrogens can include breast enlargement, reduced fertility, and gender confusion.

Here's my list of suggested sources for safer personal care products.

http://www.hugonaturals.com/

http://www.safersoaps.com/

http://www.drbronner.com/

http://pangeaorganics-store.sparkart.net/index

http://www.terressentials.com/

http://www.coastalclassiccreations.com/

http://www.bubbleandbee.com/

http://www.californiababy.com/

http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/index.php

http://www.thecrystal.com/