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What you don’t know about your skin care products can harm you: your health and beauty.

Allow this article to enlighten you on two ingredients that are usually found in toiletries, cosmetics, household items, and even in food! Propylene glycol and butylene glycol are toxic ingredients that are no more or less worse than sodium lauryl sulfate.

Propylene glycol (or PG) and butylenes glycol acts as surfactants, these are wetting agents and solvent organic molecules. PG is a colorless, nearly odorless, syrupy liquid that is derived from natural gas. Both propylene and butylenes glycol are used in cosmetics as humectants to bind moisture and hold water to the skin.

These organic molecules have been argued to be safe and not harmful at all. Various reports regarding these substances have surfaced; the conclusion to this, you will find out.

Propylene Glycol keeps things from drying out – how? When it’s absorbed into our bloodstream and into our cells, what does it do? Does it affect any of the simple, natural biological functions at the cellular level? You don’t need to study to know the answer. Yes, of course it does. Some people say PG isn’t absorbed. False. Truth is this chemical has a very small molecular weight, which enables it to pass easily through the skin and be absorbed into bloodstream where it travels to all our organs.

Propylene glycol is used in many cosmetics including liquid foundation makeup, spray deodorants, baby lotions, moisturizers, lipsticks and suntan lotions. This substance has better permeation rate, and what’s more, it’s even less expensive than glycerin. It has also been linked to sensitivity reactions — local irritations, allergic reactions. This would not be news to the manufacturers of propylene glycol. You see, if you were to buy a drum of this chemical from a manufacturer he is required to give you a material safety data sheet (MSDS). It would just alarm you to find that this common, widely used humectant has a cautionary warning in its MSDS. It says, “If on skin: thoroughly wash with soap and water!” Aren’t we applying this chemical on our skins daily, sometimes even in copious amounts over long periods of time?

According to MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), propylene glycol may be harmful by ingestion or skin absorption. In addition, this may cause eye irritation, skin irritation. Chronic exposure to this can cause gastro-intestinal disturbances, nausea, headache and vomiting, central nervous system depression.

Do you really think you can still trust the cosmetics companies with giving you a beautiful look and feel with out damaging your skin and health. Like the tobacco industry who lied for over 30 years and still don’t want the public to know the risks they are taking so to is the cosmetics and toiletry industry all there interested in doing is maximizing their profits by using the cheapest ingredients as they can get away with that may make you feel good in the short term BUT in the long term be damaging your skin and could be even putting your health at risk.

Ok till next week all the best in your search for more natural and healthier alternatives in skin care and cosmetics.

You get lathered up in soap every day, and now you’re wondering why you should be lathered up on information about soap skin care. Here’s why: not all soaps constitute the same ingredients. The consumer’s definition of good soap is bounded by what it offers: hardness of the bar, lathering quality and moisturizing ability.

The above mentioned are completed by the ingredients composed in the production of the soap. However, the ingredients don’t only give you moisture and beautiful side effects; ingredients can poison what’s underneath our skin affecting the totality of our health and beauty.

Let this give you the benefit of the doubt. Here is the list of ingredients that are usually found in your soap:

· Synthetic Scents– Soaps may contain fragrances which are synthetic compounds that can lead to drying out or irritation of your skin. More so, fragrances can also be a triggering allergen that usually has hidden ingredients such as phthalates. Phthalates is a chemical linked to serious reproductive problems in studies of people and animals.

· Triethanolamine – is an ingredient common to branded soaps. Studies made by EWG say that this is one of the most toxic ingredients. This is a possible human carcinogen that is linked to other health problems. When this ingredient is present, three other chemicals also go along with this: sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, TEA-stearate and tocopherol. All these do not exempt from causing mild to serious health problems.

· Artificial Colors—These are mostly petroleum based chemicals. Be reminded that petroleum makes the skin porous and locks the skin’s pores, thus not allowing unnecessary substances in the skin to be excreted.

· PEG-6 and sodium PCA – These chemicals are usually found in cleansing bar soaps, they may contain harmful impurities that are linked with cancer to other health problems. PEG-6, in particular is known to be linked to breast cancer.

· Chemical surfactants–Sodium lauryl sulfate is usually added to increase the lather quality. According to, The Journal of The American College of Toxicology (ACT) in 1983, concentrations of sodium lauryl of as low as 0.5% could cause irritation. Here’s something to disturb you: Studies have shown that numerous soaps have concentrations of up to 30%. The ACT has reported this to be highly irritating and dangerous.

· Propylene Glycol – a common ingredient in soaps, is a penetration enhancer. All these previously mentioned can be further activated, stimulated and enhanced by propylene glycol. This chemical poses risks of other health concerns.

What we should be using for our skin should be bar soaps that are composed of vegetable oils, scented with essential oils and colored with herbs and plant extracts, not chemicals that moistens the skin but causes irritations and health problems to consumers!

These chemicals can be soothing and smoothening to the skin, but dangerous to the health. Go organic, and be assured that your beauty is taken care of inside and out.

Which is closer to the ears of men: French chalk or Talc? Both are synonymous to each other, same way as they are extensively used in the market. French chalk is unscented talc. Bottom-line of these two, regardless if seen in the market as French chalk or talc, these substances are dangerous to our health.

French chalk is commonly known as talc, it is powdered hydrous magnesium silicate which sometimes contains a small amount of aluminum silicate. It is a mineral, the softest among the minerals. It is produced by the mining of talc rocks and then processed by crushing, drying and milling. This process eliminates a number of trace minerals from the talc; take note, that this does not separate tiny fibers which are very similar to asbestos.

The good thing about talc is that it has many uses in the industry. This ingredient is used as filler in cosmetics, toothpastes, deodorant sprays and soap. In cosmetics, this substance usually dominates the ingredients in press powder or loose powder to help control shine and absorb oil and moisture making skin feel “slippery” soft and smooth, fresh and dry. You may have concerns regarding Talc and its possible harmful effects. To answer those questions, here are some brief backgrounds on what it can cause us and how it leads to such and how we can avoid this.

Side effects:

The mildest effect this drying ingredient is it causes breakouts and pores to clog for certain skin types. Inhaling of talc also causes breathing problems. The worst, on the other hand, is that talc has been recognized as a potential carcinogen because of its relation to asbestos. In fact, long-ago issues argue that talc causes lung cancer, ovarian cancer and skin cancer.

How it leads to such:

Inhaling and application of talc powder on the skin can lead to cancer and other health difficulties. Here’s the answer to your question how. Talc powders, as previously mentioned, provides freshness after use. How? — Apparently by clogging the pores that secrete those necessary fluids and unwanted substances, and so these fine little particles directly get into the system through the pores. Talc being similar to asbestos is disturbing, especially when used on babies and genital areas.

According to a study published in American Journal of Epidemiology, women who use talcum powder in the genital area have a greater risk of as much as 60% of getting ovarian cancer, and women who use feminine deodorant sprays have a 90% increased risk.

Alternatives:

There are all-natural loose powders that are talc free, why not switch to these kinds of cosmetics? But wait a minute; although some proclaim they are talc-free, the truth is that they are otherwise. Therefore, we conclude that the best alternative to be free of synthetic chemicals which can be harmful to your health and preferably use organic products. Look for alternate ingredients like starch or cornflower instead of talcum powder.

These alternatives are highly recommended. Be reminded that your life is at stake here. Go organic and enjoy being risk-free!

Babies have the tendency to put anything inside their mouth. Whatever their tiny fingers lay on, they just have this gut feeling and desire to stick it to their mouth. I guess that’s human nature. It’s harmless, anyway. What guardians neglect to know is that what are damaging their babies are the skin care products they use.

There are various baby products that lead to cancer and various skin conditions, because of chemicals formaldehyde and 1, 4-dioxane, both of which have been blamed for cancer and numerous skin irritations.

Formaldehyde, according to research is a colorless, strong-smelling gas that can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and even difficulty in breathing in some sensitive persons who are exposed to this.  This chemical is common to find in aqueous cosmetic formulations such as shampoo and conditioner, shower gel, and liquid hand wash, even products designed for children such as bubble bath and baby shampoo have this risky chemical in them! But according to a report from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetic Use, the labels do not list the chemical mentioned even after numerous bathroom products were tested. Now, that’s something disturbing. The word unfair to describe this is an understatement.

Let us begin the enumerating of betrayal one by one:

Fact one– Formaldehyde can immediately affect users when they breathe in the vapor of this chemical and/or touch the liquid. This is clearly imperceptible since formaldehyde is applied with various chemical mixtures, therefore this will immediately be in contact to consumers. Because formaldehyde reacts quickly with body tissues, it mainly affects sites of direct contact, such as the lungs, eyes and skin. Irritant symptoms vary on the toleration or sensitivity of consumers to their exposure on formaldehyde.

Second on the list is formaldehyde’s solution that destroys the skin’s natural protective oils. When this solution is frequently in contact with the consumer, this will most definitely cause dryness, flaking, cracking, and dermatitis. Also, this can lead to skin allergies, be it redness, itching, hives, or blisters. No wonder our scalps get suddenly itchy.

Another one is its probability to be a cancer-causing chemical. According to International Agency for Research on Cancer, formaldehyde is a probable human carcinogen. Today, some studies have suggested that formaldehyde exposure can cause lung cancer and respiratory tract infirmity in humans.

The list can go on, but the bottom-line is there are various skin care products that are made to believe that they are harmless, all-natural, and even organic. The truth about various skin care products say otherwise. Shouldn’t consumers be provided with the right information to allow them to decide for themselves what they should really buy?

Babies are also affected. It’s depressing that they can’t even decide for themselves yet. This raises another concern. Will you allow them to go through these side effects at a very young stage in their life?  Don’t let this go on. Like any other pressing issue in a country, consider this dilemma as one like that too.

People’s well-being is at stake here. Health is life, anyway.

Resources:

http://www.ewg.org/node/27718

The appearance of every physique has always been one of people’s top priorities, from the skin care products people use down to the brand and kind of nail polish women apply on their nails. People focus so much on the minutiae of every inch of their skin to check whether they have attained their definition of beauty, but what’s underneath is much more important than what is not concealed.

Behind these glam and so-called transformation skin care products offer women, our body reacts to every ingredient of the product.

It is the most frequent and flexible over-the-counter skin protector and is extensively used in cosmetic skin care products—that is the overused and cheap petroleum jelly.

Petroleum jelly is used as lip balms, make up remover, moistening cosmetic for the skin, healing product by both adults and babies. Anyone anywhere can use this because of its affordability and accessibility.

The ingredients of petroleum jelly comprise nothing but “friendly” properties; these are just plainly a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons. Hence, this product has been believed as the “best solution” to every healing and personal care concerns.

Petroleum jelly is originally promoted for its obvious curing and the moisture and smoothness it provides our skin. With its vast usages from different classes of people on the planet, a question is raised to heal not consumers’ skin but their curiosity: Can there be any harmful side effects caused by petroleum jelly?

Topical application of petroleum can help the skin’s outer layer recover from damage, reduce inflammation, and generally heal the skin, moisten and soften it at the same time. This is in no doubt true. But what we are unaware of is that the tenderness petroleum jelly gives us is actually just an additional layer over our skin. Therefore, it’s not a true transformation of our skin at all. It truly protects the skin, but also confines the pores of the skin from letting the toxins and actual moisture out.

In a long term basis of usage of petroleum jelly, toxins and other unwanted substances that are supposed to be excreted will be blocked by the petroleum. This whole picture results to several skin disorders like dandruff, acne, dryness and skin irritation. This can also lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, shortness of breath, coughing, irritation of nose, skin and eyes and other such complications when not applied properly and when internally used. Negligence of instructions can lead to serious side effects.

The worst side effect yet known is that this may lead to breast caner. There are several substances that contaminate the petroleum jelly; the culprit behind this leading contamination is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or the PAHs. Along with the PAHs are 1, 3-butadiene and ethylene oxide that have connections with the mammary tumors, in short breast cancer.

Consumers, keep in mind that continuing to purchase and use petroleum jelly is a wrong remedy for your beauty and pockets. Just being aware about the petroleum jelly’s side effects is not enough, even ceasing the usage of this isn’t enough as well. There are other products containing petroleum; see the labels at the back of the cosmetic products first before purchasing.

Don’t be deceived by your beauty products’ tenderness. Beauty should always be gained through healthy lifestyle. By now, you should know that there isn’t anything wholly healthy in petroleum jelly. Agree?

Take care of your beauty!The appearance of every physique has always been one of people’s top priorities, from the skin care products people use down to the brand and kind of nail polish women apply on their nails. People focus so much on the minutiae of every inch of their skin to check whether they have attained their definition of beauty, but what’s underneath is much more important than what is not concealed.

Behind these glam and so-called transformation skin care products offer women, our body reacts to every ingredient of the product.

It is the most frequent and flexible over-the-counter skin protector and is extensively used in cosmetic skin care products—that is the overused and cheap petroleum jelly.

Petroleum jelly is used as lip balms, make up remover, moistening cosmetic for the skin, healing product by both adults and babies. Anyone anywhere can use this because of its affordability and accessibility. The ingredients of petroleum jelly comprise nothing but “friendly” properties; these are just plainly a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons. Hence, this product has been believed as the “best solution” to every healing and personal care concerns.

Petroleum jelly is originally promoted for its obvious curing and the moisture and smoothness it provides our skin. With its vast usages from different classes of people on the planet, a question is raised to heal not consumers’ skin but their curiosity: Can there be any harmful side effects caused by petroleum jelly?

Topical application of petroleum can help the skin’s outer layer recover from damage, reduce inflammation, and generally heal the skin, moisten and soften it at the same time. This is in no doubt true.

But what we are unaware of is that the tenderness petroleum jelly gives us is actually just an additional layer over our skin. Therefore, it’s not a true transformation of our skin at all. It truly protects the skin, but also confines the pores of the skin from letting the toxins and actual moisture out.

In a long term basis of usage of petroleum jelly, toxins and other unwanted substances that are supposed to be excreted will be blocked by the petroleum. This whole picture results to several skin disorders like dandruff, acne, dryness and skin irritation. This can also lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, shortness of breath, coughing, irritation of nose, skin and eyes and other such complications when not applied properly and when internally used. Negligence of instructions can lead to serious side effects.

The worst side effect yet known is that this may lead to breast caner. There are several substances that contaminate the petroleum jelly; the culprit behind this leading contamination is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or the PAHs. Along with the PAHs are 1, 3-butadiene and ethylene oxide that have connections with the mammary tumors, in short breast cancer.

Consumers, keep in mind that continuing to purchase and use petroleum jelly is a wrong remedy for your beauty and pockets. Just being aware about the petroleum jelly’s side effects is not enough, even ceasing the usage of this isn’t enough as well. There are other products containing petroleum; see the labels at the back of the cosmetic products first before purchasing.

Don’t be deceived by your beauty products’ tenderness. Beauty should always be gained through healthy lifestyle. By now, you should know that there isn’t anything wholly healthy in petroleum jelly. Agree?

Take care of your beauty!

Photo credit:  www.sxc.huThe appearance of every physique has always been one of people’s top priorities, from the skin care products people use down to the brand and kind of nail polish women apply on their nails. People focus so much on the minutiae of every inch of their skin to check whether they have attained their definition of beauty, but what’s underneath is much more important than what is not concealed.

Behind these glam and so-called transformation skin care products offer women, our body reacts to every ingredient of the product.

It is the most frequent and flexible over-the-counter skin protector and is extensively used in cosmetic skin care products—that is the overused and cheap petroleum jelly.

Petroleum jelly is used as lip balms, make up remover, moistening cosmetic for the skin, healing product by both adults and babies. Anyone anywhere can use this because of its affordability and accessibility.

The ingredients of petroleum jelly comprise nothing but “friendly” properties; these are just plainly a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons. Hence, this product has been believed as the “best solution” to every healing and personal care concerns.

Petroleum jelly is originally promoted for its obvious curing and the moisture and smoothness it provides our skin. With its vast usages from different classes of people on the planet, a question is raised to heal not consumers’ skin but their curiosity: Can there be any harmful side effects caused by petroleum jelly?

Topical application of petroleum can help the skin’s outer layer recover from damage, reduce inflammation, and generally heal the skin, moisten and soften it at the same time. This is in no doubt true. But what we are unaware of is that the tenderness petroleum jelly gives us is actually just an additional layer over our skin. Therefore, it’s not a true transformation of our skin at all. It truly protects the skin, but also confines the pores of the skin from letting the toxins and actual moisture out.

In a long term basis of usage of petroleum jelly, toxins and other unwanted substances that are supposed to be excreted will be blocked by the petroleum. This whole picture results to several skin disorders like dandruff, acne, dryness and skin irritation. This can also lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, shortness of breath, coughing, irritation of nose, skin and eyes and other such complications when not applied properly and when internally used. Negligence of instructions can lead to serious side effects.

The worst side effect yet known is that this may lead to breast caner. There are several substances that contaminate the petroleum jelly; the culprit behind this leading contamination is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or the PAHs. Along with the PAHs are 1, 3-butadiene and ethylene oxide that have connections with the mammary tumors, in short breast cancer.

Consumers, keep in mind that continuing to purchase and use petroleum jelly is a wrong remedy for your beauty and pockets. Just being aware about the petroleum jelly’s side effects is not enough, even ceasing the usage of this isn’t enough as well. There are other products containing petroleum; see the labels at the back of the cosmetic products first before purchasing.

Don’t be deceived by your beauty products’ tenderness. Beauty should always be gained through healthy lifestyle. By now, you should know that there isn’t anything wholly healthy in petroleum jelly. Agree?

Take care of your beauty!

We are always fascinated with how women on TV maintain their flawless hair. The flow and sway of women’s hair never cease to attract us all. Shampoo is one of the mot consumed skin care product that we use, and we always update ourselves with the latest brand or product. But little do we know that this has been giving us much of its downside-the chemicals it present, and the painless toxic it injects in our body.

Most of us are now becoming conscious of the fact that many of the chemicals that are used in skin and hair products are simply bad for people’s skin and health. There are numerous ingredients in shampoos that lead to harmful effects for the body. Chemicals such as Diethanolamine (DEA), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and MSG are just few of the other chemicals that are cancer-causing.

Although these chemicals can be typically avoided when it comes to food intake and environmental means, it may also be that they are getting these chemicals through skin care products, like the shampoos they use everyday. These are applied directly to the hair, and harmful ingredients present in the product can be absorbed through the pores that directly go to their bloodstream. These chemicals present in various shampoos also contain penetration enhancers which increase the ingestion of the ingredients that is absorbed by the body, and this may lead to cancer.

Let us first get to know Diethanolamine (DEA), and study its possibilities for harmful effects. Researchers found that DEA — a chemical used as a wetting or thickening agent in shampoos, soaps, and other beauty products seem to block absorption of the nutrient choline, which is vital to brain development. To add insult to the injury, pregnant women require extra choline so that they may pass it on to their fetus. Here’s what Dr. Steven Zeisel, associate dean for research at the UNC School of Public Health had to say to pregnant women, “You need choline to build a baby, so at this point it is a caution.” Although further studies will be made hereafter, he added that it would be more prudent to look at labels and limit women’s exposure to DEA.

Also, while shampoos sit on the store shelves or in their cabinets at home, DEA can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic formula to form an extremely strong carcinogen called nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), and this kind of carcinogen is readily absorbed through the skin, thus leading to stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder cancers. This will result, of course, only when they are severely engaged with NDEA.

Another offending culprit that studies have singled out as a harmful ingredient in shampoos is the Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. SLS is a potent cleanser, acting as a surfactant, binding to the dirt and glop on your hair and scalp. Rinsing SLS residue may have taken up camp in and on your scalp; don’t be too confident, exposure itself is enough to cause problems.

Firm studies imply SLS causes hair damage by acting as an irritant, and this claimed irritation results to inflammation. On the other hand, SLS has been used in shampoos for over sixty years by billions of people, billions of times, repeatedly. So why isn’t everyone bald, and how come SLS is still being used? There is an extensive set of possible reasons and opinions from different scientists and previous studies. Some people may be more sensitive to SLS than others, perhaps because of some sort of mild allergic reaction.
It’s a struggle to separate the hype from the facts, but it’s even harder to lose your hair,
get ill and blame other factors because of ignorance.

When in doubt, or perhaps even when otherwise, it’s always best to trust natural products. Natural products give you the benefit to be perfectly and naturally beautiful.

Unfortunately, both sodium laureth sulfate and its cousin are also very dangerous, highly irritating chemicals. Far from giving “healthy shining hair” and “beautiful skin”, soaps and shampoos containing sodium laureth sulfate can lead to direct damage to the hair follicle, skin damage, permanent eye damage in children and even liver toxicity.

Although sodium laureth sulfate is somewhat less irritating than SLS, it cannot be metabolised by the liver and its effects are therefore much longer-lasting. This not only means it stays in the body tissues for longer, but much more precious energy is used getting rid of it.

A report published in the Journal of The American College of Toxicology in 1983 showed that concentrations of SLS as low as 0.5% could cause irritation and concentrations of 10-30% caused skin corrosion and severe irritation. National Institutes of Health “Household Products Directory” of chemical ingredients lists over 80 products that contain SLS and SLES. Some soaps have concentrations of up to 30%, which the ACT report called “highly irritating and dangerous”.

Shampoos are among the most frequently reported products to the FDA. Reports include eye irritation, scalp irritation, tangled hair, swelling of the hands, face and arms and split and fuzzy hair. This is highly characteristic of sodium laureth sulfate and almost definitely directly related to its use.

Click here to learn of the possible health effects of sodium laureth sulfate

So why is a dangerous chemical like sodium laureth sulfate used in our soaps and shampoos?

The answer is simple – it is cheap. The sodium laureth sulfate found in our soaps is exactly the same as you would find in a car wash or even a garage, where it is used to degrease car engines.

In the same way as it dissolves the grease on car engines, SLES also dissolves the oils on your skin, which can cause a drying effect. It is also well documented that it denatures skin proteins, which causes not only irritation, but also allows environmental contaminants easier access to the lower, sensitive layers of the skin.

This denaturing of skin proteins may even be implicated in skin and other cancers.

Perhaps most worryingly, sodium laureth sulfate is also absorbed into the body from skin application. Once it has been absorbed, one of the main effects of SLS is to mimic the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This has many health implications and may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where oestrogen levels are known to be involved.

Products commonly found to contains SLS or Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Soaps

Shampoos

Bubble-baths

Tooth paste

Washing-up liquid / dish soap

Laundry detergent

Childrens soaps / shampoos

Stain Remover

Carpet Cleaner

Fabric glue

Body wash

Shave cream

Mascara

Mouthwash

Skin cleanser

Moisture lotion / Moisturiser

Sun Cream

To find hair, personal and household products without ANY SLS or other harmful chemicals, please click this link – SLS-free products.

The use of sodium laureth sulfate in childrens products is particularly worrying. It is known that, whether it gets in the eyes or not, skin application DOES lead to measurable concentrations in the eyes of children. This is known to affect eye development, and the damage caused in this manner is irreversible. If you have children DO NOT USE products containing sodium laureth sulfate or SLS – they will thank you for it one day.

Do not believe that just because a product is labeled as “natural” it is free from SLS or sodium laureth sulfate. Most common brands of “Natural” or “Herbal” shampoos and cleansers still use these harmful chemicals as their main active ingredient – check your labels!

That is not to say that you can’t get sodium laureth sulfate-free shampoos, soaps, detergents and toothpastes. Some highly reputable companies have been producing such products for years. These products not only contains no sodium laureth sulfate, they are also free of other harmful chemical colorings, preservatives and even flavourings.Both Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and its close relative Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) are commonly used in many soaps, shampoos, detergents, toothpastes and other products that we expect to “foam up”. Both chemicals are very effective foaming agents, chemically known as surfactants.

Unfortunately, both sodium laureth sulfate and its cousin are also very dangerous, highly irritating chemicals. Far from giving “healthy shining hair” and “beautiful skin”, soaps and shampoos containing sodium laureth sulfate can lead to direct damage to the hair follicle, skin damage, permanent eye damage in children and even liver toxicity.

Although sodium laureth sulfate is somewhat less irritating than SLS, it cannot be metabolised by the liver and its effects are therefore much longer-lasting. This not only means it stays in the body tissues for longer, but much more precious energy is used getting rid of it.

A report published in the Journal of The American College of Toxicology in 1983 showed that concentrations of SLS as low as 0.5% could cause irritation and concentrations of 10-30% caused skin corrosion and severe irritation. National Institutes of Health “Household Products Directory” of chemical ingredients lists over 80 products that contain SLS and SLES. Some soaps have concentrations of up to 30%, which the ACT report called “highly irritating and dangerous”.

Shampoos are among the most frequently reported products to the FDA. Reports include eye irritation, scalp irritation, tangled hair, swelling of the hands, face and arms and split and fuzzy hair. This is highly characteristic of sodium laureth sulfate and almost definitely directly related to its use.

So why is a dangerous chemical like sodium laureth sulfate used in our soaps and shampoos?

The answer is simple – it is cheap. The sodium laureth sulfate found in our soaps is exactly the same as you would find in a car wash or even a garage, where it is used to degrease car engines.

In the same way as it dissolves the grease on car engines, SLES also dissolves the oils on your skin, which can cause a drying effect. It is also well documented that it denatures skin proteins, which causes not only irritation, but also allows environmental contaminants easier access to the lower, sensitive layers of the skin.

This denaturing of skin proteins may even be implicated in skin and other cancers. Perhaps most worryingly, sodium laureth sulfate is also absorbed into the body from skin application. Once it has been absorbed, one of the main effects of SLS is to mimic the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This has many health implications and may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where oestrogen levels are known to be involved.

Products commonly found to contains SLS or Sodium Laureth Sulfate

• Soaps
• Shampoos
• Bubble-baths
• Tooth paste
• Washing-up liquid / dish soap
• Laundry detergent
• Childrens soaps / shampoos
• Stain Remover
• Carpet Cleaner
• Fabric glue
• Body wash
• Shave cream
• Mascara
• Mouthwash
• Skin cleanser
• Moisture lotion / Moisturiser
• Sun Cream

To find hair, personal and household products without ANY SLS or other harmful chemicals, please click this link – SLS-free products.

The use of sodium laureth sulfate in childrens products is particularly worrying. It is known that, whether it gets in the eyes or not, skin application DOES lead to measurable concentrations in the eyes of children. This is known to affect eye development, and the damage caused in this manner is irreversible. If you have children DO NOT USE products containing sodium laureth sulfate or SLS – they will thank you for it one day.

Do not believe that just because a product is labeled as “natural” it is free from SLS or sodium laureth sulfate. Most common brands of “Natural” or “Herbal” shampoos and cleansers still use these harmful chemicals as their main active ingredient – check your labels!

That is not to say that you can’t get sodium laureth sulfate-free shampoos, soaps, detergents and toothpastes. Some highly reputable companies have been producing such products for years. These products not only contains no sodium laureth sulfate, they are also free of other harmful chemical colorings, preservatives and even flavourings.

Unfortunately, both sodium laureth sulfate and its cousin are also very dangerous, highly irritating chemicals. Far from giving “healthy shining hair” and “beautiful skin”, soaps and shampoos containing sodium laureth sulfate can lead to direct damage to the hair follicle, skin damage, permanent eye damage in children and even liver toxicity.

Although sodium laureth sulfate is somewhat less irritating than SLS, it cannot be metabolised by the liver and its effects are therefore much longer-lasting. This not only means it stays in the body tissues for longer, but much more precious energy is used getting rid of it.

A report published in the Journal of The American College of Toxicology in 1983 showed that concentrations of SLS as low as 0.5% could cause irritation and concentrations of 10-30% caused skin corrosion and severe irritation. National Institutes of Health “Household Products Directory” of chemical ingredients lists over 80 products that contain SLS and SLES. Some soaps have concentrations of up to 30%, which the ACT report called “highly irritating and dangerous”.

Shampoos are among the most frequently reported products to the FDA. Reports include eye irritation, scalp irritation, tangled hair, swelling of the hands, face and arms and split and fuzzy hair. This is highly characteristic of sodium laureth sulfate and almost definitely directly related to its use.

Click here to learn of the possible health effects of sodium laureth sulfate

So why is a dangerous chemical like sodium laureth sulfate used in our soaps and shampoos?

The answer is simple – it is cheap. The sodium laureth sulfate found in our soaps is exactly the same as you would find in a car wash or even a garage, where it is used to degrease car engines.

In the same way as it dissolves the grease on car engines, SLES also dissolves the oils on your skin, which can cause a drying effect. It is also well documented that it denatures skin proteins, which causes not only irritation, but also allows environmental contaminants easier access to the lower, sensitive layers of the skin.

This denaturing of skin proteins may even be implicated in skin and other cancers.

Perhaps most worryingly, sodium laureth sulfate is also absorbed into the body from skin application. Once it has been absorbed, one of the main effects of SLS is to mimic the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This has many health implications and may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where oestrogen levels are known to be involved.

Products commonly found to contains SLS or Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Soaps

Shampoos

Bubble-baths

Tooth paste

Washing-up liquid / dish soap

Laundry detergent

Childrens soaps / shampoos

Stain Remover

Carpet Cleaner

Fabric glue

Body wash

Shave cream

Mascara

Mouthwash

Skin cleanser

Moisture lotion / Moisturiser

Sun Cream

To find hair, personal and household products without ANY SLS or other harmful chemicals, please click this link – SLS-free products.

The use of sodium laureth sulfate in childrens products is particularly worrying. It is known that, whether it gets in the eyes or not, skin application DOES lead to measurable concentrations in the eyes of children. This is known to affect eye development, and the damage caused in this manner is irreversible. If you have children DO NOT USE products containing sodium laureth sulfate or SLS – they will thank you for it one day.

Do not believe that just because a product is labeled as “natural” it is free from SLS or sodium laureth sulfate. Most common brands of “Natural” or “Herbal” shampoos and cleansers still use these harmful chemicals as their main active ingredient – check your labels!

That is not to say that you can’t get sodium laureth sulfate-free shampoos, soaps, detergents and toothpastes. Some highly reputable companies have been producing such products for years. These products not only contains no sodium laureth sulfate, they are also free of other harmful chemical colorings, preservatives and even flavourings.