Did you know that many synthetic cosmetic ingredients that are common in America have been outlawed in Europe? What is becoming more commonly understood is that many of these ingredients have been linked to allergic and toxic reactions as well as cancer. One of the reasons Europeans have stopped using these chemicals is because the government pays for health care and it is in their best interest to keep their populations as healthy as possible. In America, health care is paid for by the individual, and the so-called health care system wants to keep as many people in the funnel as possible. It is not a very big leap to make to say that manufacturers are allowed to continue to put these "ten most wanted" chemicals in cosmetics, hair care products, lotions, etc. because there needs to be plenty of sick people to keep the "health care system" (as we know it) up and running. But that's a topic for another day. Stay tuned, OK?
Take this list with you to your bathroom and compare it to the list of ingredients in your toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotions and other products. If you can not bear to ditch the biggest offenders right away, at least make different choices next time you buy products.
1. IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DIAZOLIDINYL UREA -- the most commonly used preservatives after the parabens, are well established by the American Academy of Dermatology as a primary cause of contact dermatitis
2. METHYL, PROPYL, BUTYL and ETHYL PARABEN -- preservatives that are widely used even though they are known to be toxic
3. PETROLATUM or MINERAL OIL -- used because it is incredibly cheap; maybe that's also why it is used on car batteries to stop corrosion; although it does provide temporary relief of dryness, petroleum products tend to clog your pores and interfere with your skin's own natural moisturizing mechanism
4. PROPYLENE GLYCOL -- OK if it is vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, but is usually a synthetic petrochemical mix which has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions
5. PVP/VA COPOLYMER -- a petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, wavesets and other cosmetics; can be considered toxic since particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons
6. SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE -- used as a foaming agent, look for this in toothpaste and shampoos; it causes allergic reactions, skin rashes, hair loss and other problems and is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics by saying that it "comes from coconut"
7. STEARALKONIUM CHLORIDE -- found in hair conditioners and creams, causes allergic reactions, used because it is cheaper than proteins or herbals
8. SYNTHETIC COLORS -- believed to be cause cancer, will be labeled as FD&C or D&C followed by a color and a number
9. SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES -- may have as many as 200 ingredients and there is no way to know what the chemicals are as the label will just say "Fragrance;" can cause headaches, dizziness, hyperpigmentation, skin irritations and many other effects;
10. TRIETHANOLAMINE -- "TEA" could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time, causes allergic reactions and dryness of hair and skin
If this does not convince you, then check out www.cosmeticsdatabase.com for more information. Fortunately, it is getting easier to find high quality personal care products as more people are wanting to avoid putting these chemicals on their bodies. Remember, what we put ON our bodies should be as healthy and chemical-free as what we put IN our bodies. One of the companies I have found that is dedicated to using only the best ingredients in all of their products is Waiora. For the best in natural skin care products for you and your entire family, click on www.mywaiora.com/946632 and check out the Skincents product line. Try their unscented Moisturizing Body Lotion which bonds to your skin and behaves like a shield, allowing your skin to use its nourishing ingredients to help heal itself and reduce the loss of natural oils. The entire line of Skincents products will delight your senses as they make your skin more radiant and soft. My teenagers and I can attest to the quality and effectiveness of these unsurpassed skin care products!! C'mon and give them a try!
