Guest guest Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 We hardly use any cleaning products. We use Pink Solution (www.pinksolution.ca) for stubborn stuff like the shower or clothing stains but for the most part, hot water and a drop or two of dishsoap works wonders for general cleaning. I use a microfiber cloth which eliminates the need for cleaner. I use a few drops of tea tree oil in my laundry along with some unscented biodegradable liquid laundry soap. I don't like the big plastic container but until they get smart and start packaging in disposable bags like in Europe I haven't found an alternative. Powder doesn't dissolve. Ban-it is a laundry bar soap that is excellent for oily spots n clothes. Shaklee has products that last forever. I see them at all the health fairs but haven't tried them myself not checked the ingredients but they claim to be natural. We use Miessence skin, hair and personal care products that are certified organic (www.goodskinforlife.com). They're not full of fillers and parabens and perfumes. Ingredients are listed for each product. It's a bit of a hassle to view them. You have to go to Shop Now and click on Just Browsing and then click on each individual product (HTML side is easiest for viewing). A place I used to work used one of the Melaleuca products, a concentrated spray that worked really well if you want to use a product. The hot water and drop of dishsoap would work just as well. Sharon , " gb0949 " <gb0949 wrote: > > I noticed the long list of ingredients that are supposedly bad for > us, and I truly believe they are.. However, are there any PRODUCTS > out there that don't have at least some of them in there. I have > always stayed away from any lotions etc, that have Parabens in it. I > use Avalon lotions and a newer one here in AZ by Hugo. The person who > developed it was touring and in one of the Sprouts Market places > demonstating it. He stated that he had NO artificial ingredients, and > NO chemicals. He said he used ALL natural ingredients. BUT, HOW do we > know this, since a lot of natural ingredients have long " plant names " > etc. and it's hard to read most of the small print. > > I am very interested in finding a company that sells NATURAL cleaning > products as well as lotions etc... Does anyone have any knowledge of > any of such company? > > I have heard about a company called Melaleuca and they say they are > NATURAL in their cleaning products and other products.. I'd like to > know if anyone has any suggestions on a company that actually does > sell all NATURAL cleaning products (that actually clean) and also > lotions for hand and body/face etc.... > > I look forward to hearing from you. > Health and Blessings > Gail > > , " Michelle " <michelle@> > wrote: > > > > What are you breathing, eating, using on your body and hair, > putting into the environment and cleaning your home with? Think about > it! > > > > Even the most health conscious people I know still use chemical > laden household cleaning products. And, you just might find that the > main ingredient in your shampoo is carcinogenic. Knowledge is > empowerment! > > > > Michelle > > http://www.HolisticPerimenopause.com > > > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > > > TOXIC INGREDIENTS TO AVOID > > > > ALPHA HYDROXY ACID: - Skin irritant. An organic acid produced by > > anaerobic respiration. Skin care products containing AHA exfoliate > > not only dead skin cells, but the skin's protective barrier as > well. > > Long-term skin damage may result from its use. > > > > ALUMINUM: - Skin irritant. Has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease. > > Very commonly found in antiperspirants; it's used to clog your > > underarm pores, so you don't sweat... not a good thing to do! The > > leading cause of breast cancer is the use of antiperspirant. A > > Concentration of toxins that leads to cell mutations (a.k.a. > CANCER.) Yes, ANTIPERSPIRANT. Most of the products out there are an > > antiperspirant/deodorant combination so go home and check your > > labels. Deodorant is fine, antiperspirant is not. > > > > ANIMAL FAT (Tallow): - A type of animal tissue made up of oily > solids or semisolids that are water-insoluble esters of glycerol with > fatty acids. Animal fats and lye are the chief ingredients in bar > soap, a cleansing and emulsifying product that may act as a breeding > ground for bacteria > > > > BRONOPOL: - Acts by releasing nitrites, which combine with DEA to > form nitrosamines. " One of the most expensive lines of cosmetics > today, Chanel, often uses this chemical. So do many leading brands of > baby products. And the Body Shop, whose product sales are built on a > reputation of containing natural ingredients, also offers products > containing this chemical. There are many safer yet equally effective > products available, " states Dr. Epstein.** > > > > BUTYLATED HYDROXIANISOLE (BHA) and/or BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE > (BHT) - > > BHA and BHT are preservatives very commonly used not only in > cosmetics and personal care products, but in food products. BHA is > absorbed through the skin, stored in body tissues, and is an animal > carcinogen, suspected human carcinogen, and a xenoestrogen. > > > > COAL TAR DYES: = Carcinogens. Blue #1 and Green #3 to name only a > few. According to Dr. Epstein, " These carcinogenic dyes are often > contaminated with arsenic and lead. " Check your toothpaste label on > the box it came in! These artificial dyes are in many other products > as well. > > > > COLLAGEN: - May suffocate the skin. An insoluble fibrous protein > that is too large to penetrate the skin. The collagen found in most > skin care products is derived from animal skins and ground up chicken > feet. This ingredient forms a layer of film that may suffocate the > skin. The molecular weight of any product must be 3000 to enter the > skin, 800 to enter the cell, 75 to enter the blood stream. The > molecular weight of most skin & hair products is over 10,000 > therefore, is ineffective. > > > > CRYSTALLINE SILICA: - Carcinogen. According to Dr. > Epstein, " Crystalline Silica is present in some personal care > products and toiletries. It's been incriminated as a cause of lung > cancer in both animal studies and human. " > > > > DEA (Diethanolamine) and/or MEA (Monoethanolamine) and/or TEA > (Triethanolamine) -Some alias names: Cocamide DEA, DEA-Cetyl > phosphate, DEA Oleth-3 phosphate, Myristamide DEA, Stearamide MEA, > Cocamide MEA, Lauramide DEA, Linoleamide MEA, Oleamide DEA, TEA- > Lauryl Sulfate ( " Diethanolamine and Cosmetic Products " , FDA Office of > > Cosmetics Fact Sheet, Dec. 9, 1999) > > > > Ethanolamines are eye and skin irritants, causing contact > dermatitis. DEA is easily absorbed through the skin, and accumulates > in body organs, even the brain. " Animal tests show it causes damage > to the liver, kidney, brain, spinal cord, bone marrow, and skin. > Contact with the eyes can cause impaired vision " . ( " Dangerous > Beauty: > Cosmetics and Personal Care P. Dingle and T. Brown, 1999 > > DIOXINS: - A potentially carcinogenic by-product that results from > the process used to bleach paper at paper mills. Dioxin-treated > containers sometimes transfer dioxins to the product itself. (see > Sodium Laureth Sulfate). According to Dr. Epstein, " The Health > Protection Branch of Canada has reported dioxin levels in the parts > per trillion range in several samples of milk and cream packaged in > bleached milk cartons manufactured in the United States. Dioxin has > migrated from the cartons to the milk. Very likely U.S. milk products > are similarly contaminated with dioxin. Dioxin's carcinogenicity is > up to 500,000 times more potent than that of DDT. " > > > > ELASTIN OF HIGH-MOLECULAR WEIGHT: - A protein similar to collagen > that is the main component of elastic fibers. Elastin is also derived > from animal sources. Its effect on the skin is similar to collagen. > > > > FLUORIDE - Possible carcinogen. Dr. Epstein states, " There have > been several studies incriminating fluoride in bone cancer. The > important point about this is that the public have been given no > information on this and fluoride in toothpaste is particularly > dangerous because kids swallow a significant amount of the fluoride, > especially when toothpaste contains saccharin as many toothpastes > do. " http://www.nofluoride.com > > > FLUOROCARBONS: - Can produce mild upper respiratory tract > irritation. A colorless, nonflammable gas or liquid commonly used as > a propellant in hairspray. > > > > FORMALDEHYDE: - Is used as a disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, > and preservative. It is found in cosmetics and personal care > products because numerous other ingredients release formaldehyde when > they break down. Two of these formaldehyde donors used as > preservatives are DMDM (Dimethylol Dimethol Hydantoin) and > Imidazolidinyl Urea often sited as the second most common cause of > contact dermatitis from preservatives. (A Consumer's Dictionary of > Cosmetic Ingredients, Ruth Winters, Three Rivers Press, 1999) > > > > ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: -Implicated in mouth, tongue, and throat > cancers. A colorless, volatile, flammable liquid produced by the > fermentation of yeast and carbohydrates. Alcohol is used frequently > as a solvent and is also found in cleaning agents, cosmetics and > personal care products, perfumes and rubbing alcohol, beverages and > medicine. As an ingredient in ingestible products, alcohol may cause > body tissues to be more vulnerable to carcinogens. Mouthwashes with > an alcohol content of 25% or more have been implicated in oral > cancers. > > Poisoning symptoms include flushing, dizziness, depression, nausea, > > headaches, and coma. Rubbing alcohol baths or sponges used to > soothe a fever can lead to acute poisoning through skin absorption or > inhalation. Package warning suggest using protective gloves, and > using a well-ventilated area. > > > > LANOLIN: - Highly contaminated with pesticides. According to Dr. > Epstein, " Most lanolin samples, at least 50 to 60%, are contaminated. " > > > > LYE: also known as Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide. A > highly concentrated watery solution of sodium hydroxide or potassium > hydroxide. Lye is combined with animal fats to make bar soaps, which > may corrode and dry out the skin. It is found in toothpaste, eye > drops, and other personal care products. The MSDS for it > says " POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE. May be fatal if swallowed, harmful > if inhaled. Causes burns to any area of contact, reacts with water, > acids, and other materials. " (MSDS Sodium Hydroxide #S4034) > > Why is it included in toothpastes? The action of the lye helps remove > stains and discolorations on teeth. This seems to be an extreme way > to get whiter teeth! Sodium hydroxide is in drain cleaners and oven > cleaners. You can buy lye - sodium hydroxide- in the plumbing > department of your hardware store. All these products have the same > warnings as that noted above, but there are no warnings about Sodium > Hydroxide on toothpaste tubes. > > > PLEASE NOTE: Certain ingredients are only chemically stable in > products if the pH (acid/base) is adjusted to the ideal pH. This is > especially true of paraben preservatives used in personal care > products. In addition, the parabens work as preservatives better in > certain pH ranges. Often the amount of acid or base needed to adjust > the pH is only drops per 100 gallons of product. The MSDS of these > caustic substances are not reflective of just how safe they are after > being diluted in hundreds of gallons of product. Literally, they are > safer than water in these applications because they adjust the pH of > the product to a neutral pH for the skin, thus decreasing the > likelihood of skin irritation. There simply is no basis for > criticizing the use of pH adjusters. > > > MINERAL OIL: - Smothers the skin. A derivative of crude oil > petrolatum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and > lubricating oil. Mineral oil forms an oily film over skin to lock in > moisture, but traps in toxins and wastes, and clogs your pores. It > hinders normal skin respiration by keeping oxygen out. It can promote > acne and other disorders, and slows down normal cell development, > resulting in premature aging of the skin. > > > NITROSAMINE: - According to Dr. Epstein, " We've known since 1976 > that DEA will react with nitrites which are present, as preservatives > or contaminants, in personal care products, to produce a carcinogen > known as nitrosodiethanolamine. This is found in virtually any > cosmetic that contains DEA. Consumers have been exposed without any > information and without any guidance whatsoever! In 1979 the FDA > warned the cosmetic industry that DEA was dangerous because of this. > The cosmetic industry ignored the warning! While over in Europe, > strong action was taken to phase out the use of DEA. " Padimate-O > (also known as octyl dimethyl PABA): Act by releasing nitrites which > combine with DEA to form *nitrosamines. Found in cosmetics, > especially sunscreens. " The most prudent consumers will prefer > sunscreens without padimate-O, " states Dr. Epstein. > > > > PARA-PHENYLENEDIAMINE DYES: - Carcinogenic when oxidized. According > to Dr. Epstein, " These are dyes which are extensively used in > permanent black and dark brown hair dyes which have been incriminated > in a variety of cancers including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple > myeloma. " > > > PETROLATUM: - Smothers the skin. A petroleum-based grease that is > used industrially as a grease component. Petrolatum exhibits many of > the same potentially harmful properties as mineral oil. > > > > PHTHALATES: - Phthalates are commonly found in cosmetic and > personal care products, especially nail polish, perfumes, hair > sprays, and skin lotions, as well as clothes, household cleaners and > deodorizers, baby toys, garden hoses, shower curtains, insect > repellants, toothbrushes, food packaging, aspirin, medical tubing and > fluid bags, gum, candy, biodegradable tampon injectors, and > prescription medications. > > > POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE - See Lye > > > PROPYLENE GLYCOL: (PG) - PG is a strong skin irritant. A cosmetic > form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid, and > industrial antifreeze. In skin and hair care products, propylene > glycol works as a humectant, which is a substance that retains the > moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the > escape of moisture or water. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) warn > users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin > irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. May be > harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. May cause eye > irritation, skin irritation. Exposure can cause gastro-intestinal > disturbances, nausea, headache and vomiting, central nervous system > depression. > > > Check out your body lotions, deodorant, hair conditioner, hair gel, > creams, and many more products! Molecular weight of PG is 60. > (Ingredients with molecular weight of 75 or lower enters our blood > stream) Propylene glycol is also used as a solvent in acrylics, > stains, inks and dyes, and in cellophane and brake fluid. It is used > as a preservative in flavored coffee. PG can have an anesthetic > effect. > > Other side effects on animals exposed to PG include heart arrhythmia, > stunted growth, decreased blood pressure, and even death. BG - > Butylene Glycol - is now being used to replace PG in some personal > care products, even though Butylene Glycol is the only one of the > glycols that has not been able to even get on the GRAS List > (Generally Recognized As Safe) > > QUATERNIUM -15: - A formaldehyde donor Quanternium-15 is a > preservative and anti-microbial and a severe cause of dermatitis. It > is also a teratrogen (causes birth defects in animals) ( " A > Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients " , Ruth Winters, Three > Rivers Press, 1999) According to Dr. Epstein, " This ingredient is > generally safe, BUT will break down in the bottle, or tube, or on the > skin to release formaldehyde for which the evidence of its > carcinogenicity is literally overwhelming. > > > > " SODIUM HYDROXIDE - See Lye > > > SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS): andor SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES): > SLS and SLES are used as detergents, surfactants and foaming agents. > These compounds can be found in almost any kind of industrial > cleaning agent. They are even more widely used as major ingredients > in cosmetics, hair conditioners, toothpaste, about 90% of all > shampoos, other products that foam (including those made especially > for babies), and in products designed to be left on the skin for an > extended period of time, for instance, bubble bath. > > > SLS is rapidly absorbed and retained in the eyes, brain, heart, and > liver, which may result in harmful long-term effects. SLS could > retard healing, cause cataracts in adults, and keep children's eyes > from developing properly. In fact, studies have shown that washing > your hair one time with a shampoo containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate > could put as many nitrates into your bloodstream as eating a whole > pound of bacon. And that is just ONE application. Molecular weight of > SLS is 40 (Ingredients with a molecular weight of 75 or lower enters > our blood stream)SLES is " Contaminated with a very potent carcinogen; > dioxane and very easily absorbed through the skin, " states Dr. > Epstein. SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is > slightly less irritating than SLS, but may cause more drying. Both > SLS and SLES may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of > nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting > with other product ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter > the blood system from just one shampooing! > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 I have found that plain ol' white vinegar, used full strength, is an excellent cleaner. Used with laundry detergent, takes out 95% stains. Spritzed on dried spills on kitchen floors and let set for 10-15 minutes, stains come up without scrubbing. A little poured in a saucer and set out in a room will absorb odors and the vinegar smell will dissipate quickly. Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 The important thing to remember is the context in which the listed items should be used. Many on the list are not proven toxins; they just have no beneficial value for use in bath and body products. Vinegar and baking soda are some of the best household cleaning items available. The work just as well as most store bought cleansers. Any cleansers you buy have to have preservatives in them. I make my own laundry soap and will start making my own bar soap this summer. One thing about the items listed- Lye is used to make soap. (Always used caution with lye-mixed w/ water it will burn the skin and emit strong fumes.) No lye, no soap. Most stuff in the store is a form of detergent which is drying to the skin. Soap made correct is a combination of fats and lye-in which the final product there is no lye and very little if any fats left. There is not bacterial growth in properly made soap-if there were then washing your hands with soap and water would not stop the spread of illnesses. > > > , " gb0949 " <gb0949@> wrote: > > > > I noticed the long list of ingredients that are supposedly bad for > > us, and I truly believe they are.. However, are there any PRODUCTS > > out there that don't have at least some of them in there. I have > > always stayed away from any lotions etc, that have Parabens in it. I > > use Avalon lotions and a newer one here in AZ by Hugo. The person who > > developed it was touring and in one of the Sprouts Market places > > demonstating it. He stated that he had NO artificial ingredients, and > > NO chemicals. He said he used ALL natural ingredients. BUT, HOW do we > > know this, since a lot of natural ingredients have long " plant names " > > etc. and it's hard to read most of the small print. > > > > I am very interested in finding a company that sells NATURAL cleaning > > products as well as lotions etc... Does anyone have any knowledge of > > any of such company? > > > > I have heard about a company called Melaleuca and they say they are > > NATURAL in their cleaning products and other products.. I'd like to > > know if anyone has any suggestions on a company that actually does > > sell all NATURAL cleaning products (that actually clean) and also > > lotions for hand and body/face etc.... > > > > I look forward to hearing from you. > > Health and Blessings > > Gail > > > > , " Michelle " <michelle@> > > wrote: > > > > > > What are you breathing, eating, using on your body and hair, > > putting into the environment and cleaning your home with? Think about > > it! > > > > > > Even the most health conscious people I know still use chemical > > laden household cleaning products. And, you just might find that the > > main ingredient in your shampoo is carcinogenic. Knowledge is > > empowerment! > > > > > > Michelle > > > http://www.HolisticPerimenopause.com > > > > > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > > > > > TOXIC INGREDIENTS TO AVOID > > > > > > ALPHA HYDROXY ACID: - Skin irritant. An organic acid produced by > > > anaerobic respiration. Skin care products containing AHA exfoliate > > > not only dead skin cells, but the skin's protective barrier as > > well. > > > Long-term skin damage may result from its use. > > > > > > ALUMINUM: - Skin irritant. Has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease. > > > Very commonly found in antiperspirants; it's used to clog your > > > underarm pores, so you don't sweat... not a good thing to do! The > > > leading cause of breast cancer is the use of antiperspirant. A > > > Concentration of toxins that leads to cell mutations (a.k.a. > > CANCER.) Yes, ANTIPERSPIRANT. Most of the products out there are an > > > antiperspirant/deodorant combination so go home and check your > > > labels. Deodorant is fine, antiperspirant is not. > > > > > > ANIMAL FAT (Tallow): - A type of animal tissue made up of oily > > solids or semisolids that are water-insoluble esters of glycerol with > > fatty acids. Animal fats and lye are the chief ingredients in bar > > soap, a cleansing and emulsifying product that may act as a breeding > > ground for bacteria > > > > > > BRONOPOL: - Acts by releasing nitrites, which combine with DEA to > > form nitrosamines. " One of the most expensive lines of cosmetics > > today, Chanel, often uses this chemical. So do many leading brands of > > baby products. And the Body Shop, whose product sales are built on a > > reputation of containing natural ingredients, also offers products > > containing this chemical. There are many safer yet equally effective > > products available, " states Dr. Epstein.** > > > > > > BUTYLATED HYDROXIANISOLE (BHA) and/or BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE > > (BHT) - > > > BHA and BHT are preservatives very commonly used not only in > > cosmetics and personal care products, but in food products. BHA is > > absorbed through the skin, stored in body tissues, and is an animal > > carcinogen, suspected human carcinogen, and a xenoestrogen. > > > > > > COAL TAR DYES: = Carcinogens. Blue #1 and Green #3 to name only a > > few. According to Dr. Epstein, " These carcinogenic dyes are often > > contaminated with arsenic and lead. " Check your toothpaste label on > > the box it came in! These artificial dyes are in many other products > > as well. > > > > > > COLLAGEN: - May suffocate the skin. An insoluble fibrous protein > > that is too large to penetrate the skin. The collagen found in most > > skin care products is derived from animal skins and ground up chicken > > feet. This ingredient forms a layer of film that may suffocate the > > skin. The molecular weight of any product must be 3000 to enter the > > skin, 800 to enter the cell, 75 to enter the blood stream. The > > molecular weight of most skin & hair products is over 10,000 > > therefore, is ineffective. > > > > > > CRYSTALLINE SILICA: - Carcinogen. According to Dr. > > Epstein, " Crystalline Silica is present in some personal care > > products and toiletries. It's been incriminated as a cause of lung > > cancer in both animal studies and human. " > > > > > > DEA (Diethanolamine) and/or MEA (Monoethanolamine) and/or TEA > > (Triethanolamine) -Some alias names: Cocamide DEA, DEA-Cetyl > > phosphate, DEA Oleth-3 phosphate, Myristamide DEA, Stearamide MEA, > > Cocamide MEA, Lauramide DEA, Linoleamide MEA, Oleamide DEA, TEA- > > Lauryl Sulfate ( " Diethanolamine and Cosmetic Products " , FDA Office of > > > Cosmetics Fact Sheet, Dec. 9, 1999) > > > > > > Ethanolamines are eye and skin irritants, causing contact > > dermatitis. DEA is easily absorbed through the skin, and accumulates > > in body organs, even the brain. " Animal tests show it causes damage > > to the liver, kidney, brain, spinal cord, bone marrow, and skin. > > Contact with the eyes can cause impaired vision " . ( " Dangerous > > Beauty: > > Cosmetics and Personal Care P. Dingle and T. Brown, 1999 > > > > DIOXINS: - A potentially carcinogenic by-product that results from > > the process used to bleach paper at paper mills. Dioxin-treated > > containers sometimes transfer dioxins to the product itself. (see > > Sodium Laureth Sulfate). According to Dr. Epstein, " The Health > > Protection Branch of Canada has reported dioxin levels in the parts > > per trillion range in several samples of milk and cream packaged in > > bleached milk cartons manufactured in the United States. Dioxin has > > migrated from the cartons to the milk. Very likely U.S. milk products > > are similarly contaminated with dioxin. Dioxin's carcinogenicity is > > up to 500,000 times more potent than that of DDT. " > > > > > > ELASTIN OF HIGH-MOLECULAR WEIGHT: - A protein similar to collagen > > that is the main component of elastic fibers. Elastin is also derived > > from animal sources. Its effect on the skin is similar to collagen. > > > > > > FLUORIDE - Possible carcinogen. Dr. Epstein states, " There have > > been several studies incriminating fluoride in bone cancer. The > > important point about this is that the public have been given no > > information on this and fluoride in toothpaste is particularly > > dangerous because kids swallow a significant amount of the fluoride, > > especially when toothpaste contains saccharin as many toothpastes > > do. " http://www.nofluoride.com > > > > > FLUOROCARBONS: - Can produce mild upper respiratory tract > > irritation. A colorless, nonflammable gas or liquid commonly used as > > a propellant in hairspray. > > > > > > FORMALDEHYDE: - Is used as a disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, > > and preservative. It is found in cosmetics and personal care > > products because numerous other ingredients release formaldehyde when > > they break down. Two of these formaldehyde donors used as > > preservatives are DMDM (Dimethylol Dimethol Hydantoin) and > > Imidazolidinyl Urea often sited as the second most common cause of > > contact dermatitis from preservatives. (A Consumer's Dictionary of > > Cosmetic Ingredients, Ruth Winters, Three Rivers Press, 1999) > > > > > > ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: -Implicated in mouth, tongue, and throat > > cancers. A colorless, volatile, flammable liquid produced by the > > fermentation of yeast and carbohydrates. Alcohol is used frequently > > as a solvent and is also found in cleaning agents, cosmetics and > > personal care products, perfumes and rubbing alcohol, beverages and > > medicine. As an ingredient in ingestible products, alcohol may cause > > body tissues to be more vulnerable to carcinogens. Mouthwashes with > > an alcohol content of 25% or more have been implicated in oral > > cancers. > > > Poisoning symptoms include flushing, dizziness, depression, nausea, > > > headaches, and coma. Rubbing alcohol baths or sponges used to > > soothe a fever can lead to acute poisoning through skin absorption or > > inhalation. Package warning suggest using protective gloves, and > > using a well-ventilated area. > > > > > > LANOLIN: - Highly contaminated with pesticides. According to Dr. > > Epstein, " Most lanolin samples, at least 50 to 60%, are contaminated. " > > > > > > LYE: also known as Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide. A > > highly concentrated watery solution of sodium hydroxide or potassium > > hydroxide. Lye is combined with animal fats to make bar soaps, which > > may corrode and dry out the skin. It is found in toothpaste, eye > > drops, and other personal care products. The MSDS for it > > says " POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE. May be fatal if swallowed, harmful > > if inhaled. Causes burns to any area of contact, reacts with water, > > acids, and other materials. " (MSDS Sodium Hydroxide #S4034) > > > > Why is it included in toothpastes? The action of the lye helps remove > > stains and discolorations on teeth. This seems to be an extreme way > > to get whiter teeth! Sodium hydroxide is in drain cleaners and oven > > cleaners. You can buy lye - sodium hydroxide- in the plumbing > > department of your hardware store. All these products have the same > > warnings as that noted above, but there are no warnings about Sodium > > Hydroxide on toothpaste tubes. > > > > > PLEASE NOTE: Certain ingredients are only chemically stable in > > products if the pH (acid/base) is adjusted to the ideal pH. This is > > especially true of paraben preservatives used in personal care > > products. In addition, the parabens work as preservatives better in > > certain pH ranges. Often the amount of acid or base needed to adjust > > the pH is only drops per 100 gallons of product. The MSDS of these > > caustic substances are not reflective of just how safe they are after > > being diluted in hundreds of gallons of product. Literally, they are > > safer than water in these applications because they adjust the pH of > > the product to a neutral pH for the skin, thus decreasing the > > likelihood of skin irritation. There simply is no basis for > > criticizing the use of pH adjusters. > > > > > MINERAL OIL: - Smothers the skin. A derivative of crude oil > > petrolatum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and > > lubricating oil. Mineral oil forms an oily film over skin to lock in > > moisture, but traps in toxins and wastes, and clogs your pores. It > > hinders normal skin respiration by keeping oxygen out. It can promote > > acne and other disorders, and slows down normal cell development, > > resulting in premature aging of the skin. > > > > > NITROSAMINE: - According to Dr. Epstein, " We've known since 1976 > > that DEA will react with nitrites which are present, as preservatives > > or contaminants, in personal care products, to produce a carcinogen > > known as nitrosodiethanolamine. This is found in virtually any > > cosmetic that contains DEA. Consumers have been exposed without any > > information and without any guidance whatsoever! In 1979 the FDA > > warned the cosmetic industry that DEA was dangerous because of this. > > The cosmetic industry ignored the warning! While over in Europe, > > strong action was taken to phase out the use of DEA. " Padimate-O > > (also known as octyl dimethyl PABA): Act by releasing nitrites which > > combine with DEA to form *nitrosamines. Found in cosmetics, > > especially sunscreens. " The most prudent consumers will prefer > > sunscreens without padimate-O, " states Dr. Epstein. > > > > > > PARA-PHENYLENEDIAMINE DYES: - Carcinogenic when oxidized. According > > to Dr. Epstein, " These are dyes which are extensively used in > > permanent black and dark brown hair dyes which have been incriminated > > in a variety of cancers including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple > > myeloma. " > > > > > PETROLATUM: - Smothers the skin. A petroleum-based grease that is > > used industrially as a grease component. Petrolatum exhibits many of > > the same potentially harmful properties as mineral oil. > > > > > > PHTHALATES: - Phthalates are commonly found in cosmetic and > > personal care products, especially nail polish, perfumes, hair > > sprays, and skin lotions, as well as clothes, household cleaners and > > deodorizers, baby toys, garden hoses, shower curtains, insect > > repellants, toothbrushes, food packaging, aspirin, medical tubing and > > fluid bags, gum, candy, biodegradable tampon injectors, and > > prescription medications. > > > > > POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE - See Lye > > > > > PROPYLENE GLYCOL: (PG) - PG is a strong skin irritant. A cosmetic > > form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid, and > > industrial antifreeze. In skin and hair care products, propylene > > glycol works as a humectant, which is a substance that retains the > > moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the > > escape of moisture or water. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) warn > > users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin > > irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. May be > > harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. May cause eye > > irritation, skin irritation. Exposure can cause gastro- intestinal > > disturbances, nausea, headache and vomiting, central nervous system > > depression. > > > > > Check out your body lotions, deodorant, hair conditioner, hair gel, > > creams, and many more products! Molecular weight of PG is 60. > > (Ingredients with molecular weight of 75 or lower enters our blood > > stream) Propylene glycol is also used as a solvent in acrylics, > > stains, inks and dyes, and in cellophane and brake fluid. It is used > > as a preservative in flavored coffee. PG can have an anesthetic > > effect. > > > > Other side effects on animals exposed to PG include heart arrhythmia, > > stunted growth, decreased blood pressure, and even death. BG - > > Butylene Glycol - is now being used to replace PG in some personal > > care products, even though Butylene Glycol is the only one of the > > glycols that has not been able to even get on the GRAS List > > (Generally Recognized As Safe) > > > > QUATERNIUM -15: - A formaldehyde donor Quanternium-15 is a > > preservative and anti-microbial and a severe cause of dermatitis. It > > is also a teratrogen (causes birth defects in animals) ( " A > > Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients " , Ruth Winters, Three > > Rivers Press, 1999) According to Dr. Epstein, " This ingredient is > > generally safe, BUT will break down in the bottle, or tube, or on the > > skin to release formaldehyde for which the evidence of its > > carcinogenicity is literally overwhelming. > > > > > > " SODIUM HYDROXIDE - See Lye > > > > > SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS): andor SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES): > > SLS and SLES are used as detergents, surfactants and foaming agents. > > These compounds can be found in almost any kind of industrial > > cleaning agent. They are even more widely used as major ingredients > > in cosmetics, hair conditioners, toothpaste, about 90% of all > > shampoos, other products that foam (including those made especially > > for babies), and in products designed to be left on the skin for an > > extended period of time, for instance, bubble bath. > > > > > SLS is rapidly absorbed and retained in the eyes, brain, heart, and > > liver, which may result in harmful long-term effects. SLS could > > retard healing, cause cataracts in adults, and keep children's eyes > > from developing properly. In fact, studies have shown that washing > > your hair one time with a shampoo containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate > > could put as many nitrates into your bloodstream as eating a whole > > pound of bacon. And that is just ONE application. Molecular weight of > > SLS is 40 (Ingredients with a molecular weight of 75 or lower enters > > our blood stream)SLES is " Contaminated with a very potent carcinogen; > > dioxane and very easily absorbed through the skin, " states Dr. > > Epstein. SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is > > slightly less irritating than SLS, but may cause more drying. Both > > SLS and SLES may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of > > nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting > > with other product ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter > > the blood system from just one shampooing! > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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