Why Organic There are two key reasons why we focus on producing products which are natural and organic in their origin. Firstly, we believe the increasing world-wide concern over the negative health impacts of synthetic chemicals in our personal care products is justified. Secondly, we believe that everything we need for our skin and our well-being can be found in nature. Organic products arent just good for the environment, theyre also good for us. The Potential Dangers of Synthetic Chemicals in Your Personal Care Products At World Organic, we believe it is important to tread carefully when purchasing traditional cosmetic products. One glance at the ingredients list on the back of a package will tell you why. Look closely and you will see listed ingredients which might include Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (commonly used in shampoos, as well as in garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers), DMDM Hydanotin (just one of many preservatives that release formaldehyde into your skin), and triclosan (a synthetic antibacterial ingredient found in many antibacterial soaps and lotions and so toxic that it is measured in parts per trillion). Sounds bad, right? Well it is. And the aforementioned chemicals barely scratch the surface. Even something as harmless as mineral oil has its dangers. Often the key ingredient in baby oils, mineral oil is a petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, inhibiting the skins ability to eliminate toxins and various skin disorders. Of course, youre not going to hear about this from major cosmetics companies. They are in the business of maximizing their margins and these synthetic ingredients are easy and inexpensive to manufacture. In the end, its up to the individual. If someone wants to avoid the increasing set of ailments that beset modern society, then they need to keep a wary eye on the ingredients listed on their beauty products. Listed below are ten synthetic chemicals which are commonly found in personal care products and which we recommend our customers avoid: Phthalates: Found most commonly in cosmetics, hair products, nail polish and deodorants. Phthalates have been linked to birth defects and cancer, and they are suspected to cause damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and the reproductive system. Look out for: DBP (dibutylphthalate), DEP (diethylphthalate) and butyl ester. Parabens: Commonly used preservatives in skincare and other cosmetics (even by some companies who claim to be natural). Thought to be carcinogenic and linked to breast cancer, in particular. Look out for: butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, methlyparaben, propylparaben Sodium Lauryl/ Laureth Sulfate: A very common foaming agent used in most shampoos and conditioners as well as soaps, makeup and toothpaste. Also used to clean engines and garage floors. Sometimes disguised in natural products as derived from coconut, these ingredients are not only nasty skin irritants, but can form nitrosamines - a deadly class of carcinogenic - when combined with other chemicals. Mineral Oil: It sounds harmless, but this petroleum by-product clogs the skin, prevents it from breathing and detoxifying naturally, and causes premature aging. It is commonly used in baby oils and can be contaminated with carcinogens that are linked to breast cancer. Look out for: mineral oil, petroleum, liquid paraffin Fragrance: A deliberately misleading euphemism referring to nearly 4,000 different synthetic ingredients. Found in almost all skincare, shampoos, deodorants, sunscreens, and personal care products, fragrances are allergens which can attack the central nervous system and are known to both cause and trigger asthma attacks. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): PEGs main function is to dissolve oil and grease and is used in spray-on oven cleaners. Youll also find it in many hair and skin products. It may well strip your skin and hair of protective oils and make them vulnerable to other toxins. Triclosan: A close cousin to Agent Orange and registered as a pesticide by the EPA. It is so toxic it is measured in parts per trillion and yet it is widely used in lipsticks, toothpastes, soaps and antibacterial cleansers. Linked to birth defects, paralysis, heart problems, and brain hemorrhages, to name but a few. DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine): Commonly found in shampoos, soaps, bubble baths and facial cleansers, these chemicals can form cancercausing agents and are strongly linked to incidences of kidney and liver cancer. Urea and DMDM Hydanotin: Derivatives of formaldehyde, which is used to preserve dead body parts and which has been classified by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen. Commonly used in skin, body and hair products, antiperspirants and nail polish. Also linked to allergies, depression, insomnia and asthma. Look out for: imidazolidnyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydanotin, bronopol, and quaternium-15 Propylene Glycol: Commonly used in makeup, toothpaste and especially deodorants, propylene glycol is also the active ingredient in antifreeze. Industrial workers are required to wear protective clothing when working with it. Linked to brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. The above list of chemicals which can be found in your personal care products is significant, but not exhaustive. If you are interested in reading more, then we recommend the Environmental Working Groups comprehensive Cosmetic Safety Database as an excellent reference site - cosmeticsdatabase/
Posted on: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 05:46:50 +0000
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