Products that we rely upon, such as toothpaste, laundry detergent, and skin cream, can often have the most toxic ingredients.
The skin is the largest organ in the body and the chemicals that you put on and in it can penetrate the bloodstream and have negative effects on health. Consumers must be careful about absorbing chemicals into their bodies.
One of the worst and most common ingredients is sodium lauryl sulfate, found in nearly every commercial shampoo. Commonly called sulfates, they’re included in an estimated 90 per cent of all personal care products. Sulfates cause shampoos to foam rapidly, so that the user doesn’t need as much.
The chemical process to make sodium lauryl sulfate is unsustainable for the environment, as petroleum is necessary for its production. Sulfates are commonly linked to cancer, although studies have shown that adults do not absorb harmful levels from cosmetics.
According to L’Oréal, sulfates cause hair colour to fade and make the hair brittle.
Sulfates leave the hair dependent on shampoo, making the user wash their hair daily when it is unnecessary. The human body adjusts easily and maintains its cleanliness without the addition of daily chemical dosages.
Parabens are preservatives in approximately 85 per cent of cosmetics, largely because they are cheap and effective in preventing the growth of bacteria. Parabens have unfortunately been linked directly to breast cancer after hormones were found in malignant breast tissue.
Other chemicals to avoid include BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) or BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), which are preservatives commonly known for being hormone disruptors, as they mimic estrogen and suppress male hormones. They are also commonly found as preservatives in foods, such as chips.
Another common chemical that is safer to avoid is parfum (or fragrance), an ingredient that contributes to scents found in cosmetic products. It can cause chest infections, migraines, and dizziness when the producers do not properly monitor the effects of the aromas in the air on the chest and lungs.
There are approximately 3,000 chemicals used in fragrances. They are shown to make asthma worse in individuals.
Other chemicals found in cosmetics such as siloxane and cyclomethicone are proven to interfere with hormone function and fertility. They also directly affect the endocrine system as well as the immune system.
It is also important to remember that all of these chemicals we are using on ourselves are being directly washed away into the ecosystem, affecting all animals and wildlife that we treasure.
Luckily, all of these commercial products have homemade cheaper and safer alternatives that work just as well. There are also easy ways to check the safety of your products. An easy smartphone app called “Think Dirty” will scan the barcode of the product and then give you a product rating based on the carcinogens and reproductive toxins within the product.
Its possible to avoid chemicals in your products if you’re cautious about reading the back of the bottle. There are also natural alternatives at health stores, like soap nuts for laundry detergent and shampoo. They are basically a seed or berry that releases cleansing properties when in hot water.
If you’re looking to continue buying things off of the shelf, it will be pretty tough to get a completely chemical free product. There are a few brands that are more trustworthy when it comes to the ingredients in their products. Live Clean, Burt’s Bees and J.R. Watkins are all companies that take their products in the right direction.
If you’re looking for something even better, health stores like Nutrition House and The Herb & Spice Food Shop provide alternatives with natural ingredients, from bentonite clay to coconut oil.
