Carcinogens in Personal Care Products

Studies have proven that when you apply something on your skin like perfume, cosmetics, lotion and soap, your skin will absorb it.  The skin is your body's largest organ and has over 1 billion pores.  It's your body's first line of defense against anything entering your body.  Think of your skin like a giant sponge, absorbing anything entering your body.  It usually takes 10-15 minutes for a product to be completely absorbed into your skin.  Your skin is a living organ, similar to your other organs like your digestive system.  So, you are feeding your skin whatever that product is.  IF YOU WOULDN'T EAT IT, YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T BE PUTTING IT ON YOUR SKIN.  If you are eating organic foods but using synthetic and toxic skin care products, it defeats the purpose of what you are trying to do.

The most commonly used carcinogenic petrochemical Ethylene Oxide actually generates the carcinogenic contaminant 1, 4-Dioxane.  This chemical is banned in Europe and it does not have to appear on the label because technically, it is a by-product.  Leading brands that tested positive are Jason (Jason's Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner and Jason's Hair Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner), Avalon Organics, Kiss My Face, Giovanni, Nature's Gate, and Grandpa's, maker of pine-tar soap.  For more information, go to the Organic Consumers Association Website.  There is also a YouTube video:


Did you know that you can use vinegar instead of conditioner for your hair?

The US FDA does not require companies to test products for safety.  In fact, labeling of personal care products is not regulated at all by the USDA.  The USDA created a "green label" on personal care products, which means that they are 95% certified organic and do not contain any synthetics or petro-chemical products.  Some companies are Dr. Bronner's, Terressentials, Weleda, Logona, Dr. Hauschka, and Aubrey Organics. 

As consumers, we need to avoid the following contaminants: Mineral Oils, Parabens, Petrolatum, Propylene Glycol, Phenol, Sodium Laurel, Lauryth, Myrtesth, or Lauryl Sulfate.  Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is in over 90% of personal care products.  Even though the source is from coconuts, the extraction process may contain harmful chemicals.  Brands that are totally free of these ingredients are: Aubrey Organics, Weleda, Queen Bee, Dr. Bronner's, Alaffia, Jozlyn's Remedies, Four Elements, Logona, Heritage House, Wiseways Herbals, Star Lady Botanicals, Moonsprytes, True Botanica, Evan Healy,and Burt's Bees. 

The USDA does respond to consumer pressure!

Just remember, that approximately six pounds of skin that each human carries around is a porous membrane one-twentieth of an inch thick, through which numerous environmental toxins enter the body.  Skin is a "more significant gateway for toxins into your body than what your eat," says Diana Kaye of TerrEssentials.

Interested in a completely edible tallow body balm?
Check out Young Living Essential Oils (YLEO) personal care products

Source: Viroqua Food Cooperative's newsletter.

Related blog post:
http://oilsforhealthyliving-heidi.blogspot.com/2012/05/are-we-killing-ourselves.html

For more information, www.oilsforhealthyliving.net