Why use Organic/ Natural Products?

Why organic and natural products?

This is a easy question to answer yet one we need to think about very seriously. Everyday we apply toiletries and cosmetics to our skin without ever thinking about what these products actually contain. Yet we lather on the Imidazolidinyl Urea, Propelyne Glycol, Laureth sulfates and pray for that miracle of beauty that the celebrity endorsers promise. The truth of the matter is these chemicals we never pay much attention to can wreak havoc with our skin and our health. With a growing number of cancers surfacing along with other issues such as allergies, hormone/ infertility problems and many surface skin problems (eczema, acne, dermatitis, psoriasis) we need to start asking ourselves, "What exactly are we putting on our skin?" We can no longer think of the skin as an impermeable shield, as nicotine and birth control patches have demonstrated, the skin is a permeable barrier subject to the harmful chemicals we place upon it. If you think you have no worries due to the fact the FDA regulates and protects you from these harmful products, think again. Their is little if any investigating done by the FDA on chemicals in cosmetics and toiletries. We need to be a smart and savvy consumer ourselves and not depend on the government to protect us from these big harmful chemicals, because they won't. Many big major cosmetic companies are selling their products with known toxic chemicals such as LEAD, Formaldehyde, phthalates, and other nasty chemicals in them. Scientists caution that hormone disrupting chemicals may lurk in cosmetics, these chemicals could lower our immunity to disease and cause neurological and reproductive damage. Many of these chemicals have caused cancer in lab rats and in some documented cases humans. We are just now beginning to hear about the connection with parabens in deodorants and a rise in breast cancers. There is also a rise in allergies, asthma, eczema, acne and other skin disorders which often are caused or at least aggravated by these chemicals. What is really scary is the thought that people go to the store to purchase "X" cream to help with their eczema or skin disorder, not knowing the cream is loaded with propylene glycol (which is known to cause contact dermatitis.) So the very ailment they are trying to get some comfort from is being aggravated by the product claiming to help it! For example when drums of the chemical propylene glycol are delivered to cosmetic manufacturers the MSDS (material Safety Data Sheet) warns workers, "to avoid contact with skin." This item is used in everything from baby products to toothpaste! You may be asking yourself, Why then do they use these chemicals in our products? A simple answer. Because they are cheap! They could use real shea butter or jojoba oil or natural extracts but why should they when they can make a killing using mineral oil, synthetic oils and extracts at pennies on the dollar. We need to get back to nature and quit killing ourselves slowly with this chemical and synthetic obsessed market!

There is a new fad on the horizon "GO GREEN" This has exciting promise as people are becoming more aware of the detrimental effects chemicals are being to have on our lives. However, you must be aware of GREENWASHING! Greenwashing is when a manufacturer adds a few natural ingredients to a chemical filled one and claims that it is "Natural." They will not have the benefits natural products give and can be just as toxic as any other commercial product. There are some brands even in the health food markets that do this. Read your labels! Do your research! Many companies will also claim NO PARABENS yet use Pheneoxyethanol which is still in the paraben family, or they will say if pressured, "well we use less than 1% so we are allowed to say no parabens." 1% is to much for me! Many of us are just not aware of what the effects of each of these chemicals are and what they do to the skin. It is interesting to note that Propylene Glycol is known to inhibit skin cell growth and can directly alter cell membranes, yet it is used by the most lavish companies in their $300.00 a jar cream that claims to rebuild skin cells and rejuvenate your skin!!

I have compiled a list of well known chemicals to avoid (when checking labels look for these, although there are 100's not listed these are the known worst.

COAL TAR COLORS-can contain a number of toxins such as benzene,xylene, naphthalene, phenol, and creosol. Coal tar is poisonous in its pure state and almost all these colors have been shown to cause cancer.
FORMALDEHYDE- can be found in shampoos, nail polish, soap and hair growth preperations. Hydantoins and surfactants such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate may contain formaldehyde even when it's not listed on the label. It has been found to cause cancer in laboratory results and can it has been found to damage DNA.
LEAD- in any form is poisonous. It can be found in hair dyes and everything to mascara from major manufacturers found at your grocery store. It is a known carcinogen and hormone disrupter.
NITROSAMINES- are formed when otherwise safe chemicals are combined. The resulting carcinogen can contaminate shampoo or other products where this chemical reaction occurs. Although these will not be directly written on the product label they can be found in diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), monoethanolamine (MEA), Formaldehyde, Sodium lauryl(laureth) sulfates. These ingredients are often combined with other synthetic chemicals such as cocamide-DEA, or TEA lauryl sulfate.
PHENYLENEDIAMINE- found mostly in hair dyes, very harmful to inhale or come in contact with skin. It has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals. It is also frequently used by beauty salons.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL- an ingredient used in anti-freeze and brake fluid is a cheap alternative to Vegetable Glycerin. This chemical is a known Nero-toxin by the NIOSH (national institute for occupational safety and health) and recent studies have tied it to contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities. It also inhibits skin growth, directly altering cell membranes.
QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS- are used as preservatives surfactants, and germicides. All quaternary compounds can be toxic, depending on the concentration and dose. Originally used as a fabric softener, they can make hair and skin feel soft immediately after use but in the long run, repeated use will zap moisture from skin cells leaving hair and skin dry and flaky. STAY AWAY FROM ALL QUATS! Some may release formaldehyde and are known to cause contact dermatitis.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- is found in 90% of all shampoos as well as skin creams and toothpastes. Sodium Lauryl is a known skin irritant and damages the skin barrier function, enhancing allergic reactions to other toxins and allergens as well as altering skin cells.
TALC- is a known carcinogen. If used in the genital area can increase the risk of ovarian cancer three fold.
PARABENS- as we are now finding out there is a possible link between this preservative and some cancers. Can also be listed as Germicide, or pheneoxyethanol.

Honorable mentions.........

FD&C color pigments- coal tar colors (see above)
FRAGRANCE (usually synthetic)
IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA & DMDM HYDANTONIN-known to cause contact dermatitis according to the American Academy of Dermatology and can also release formaldehyde
PETROCHEMICALS-propyl-, methyl-, eth-, or ene-, isoprpyl alcohol and mineral oil.
POLYETHELYNE GLYCOL-can be contaminated with 1,4 DIOXANE a potential carcinogen that can penetrate the skin

I hope this has given you some insight to the dangers of some commercial products and why we should use products made from nature!

For further reading check the books

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS by KIM ERICKSON
PURE SKIN ORGANIC BEAUTY BASICS by BARBARA CLOSE
NATURAL ORGANIC HAIR AND SKIN by AUBREY HAMPTON

CHECK THESE WEBSITES TO SEE IF THE PRODUCTS YOU CURRENTLY USE AND LOVE ARE LISTED... I PROMISE YOU WILL BE SHOCKED!!!!!!

http://www.notjustaprettyface.org

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com