Body
Seven Skin Care Ingredients To Avoid
Our skin covers our
entire body. Every day we have the option to apply lotion, sunscreen, make-up, or hundreds of other products to our skin. What we don’t know is that some of the ingredients lurking in our cabinet can be harmful or even deadly to us. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when revamping our personal care routine, so I’ve listed seven of the worst ingredients you’ll find in your cabinets.
Parabens- These are commonly seen preceded by Ethyl-, Methyl-, Propyl-, or Butyl-. Parabens are used in lotions as a preservative, but they have been connected to so many negative things that I’m amazed anyone is still comfortable using them. Parabens are known endocrine disrupters that affect the hormone balance in your body, and can interfere with fetal development. Also, they have been liked to breast cancer, and are an immuno-toxin that can cause a myriad of allergic reactions.
Polyethylene Glycol- Often shortened to PEG, Polyethylene Glycol is used in cosmetics and face washes as a cleanser or emulsifier. When given orally in large doses to rats, it can cause them to develop tumors. Some claim that this isn’t relevant because the tumors develop when it is taken orally, not when applied topically. However, the reason PEG is used in synthetic cleansers is to allow your skin to draw more moisture (or anything else it comes in contact with), into the skin. This means that whatever you come in contact with can get drawn into your skin, and eventually into your bloodstream.
Genetically Modified Organisms- Commonly seen on labels as GMO, Genetically Modified Organisms are dangerous because they have unknown risks that are just beginning to be understood by scientists. Genetically modified crops have been changed at the genetic level using E. coli or other bacteria to produce a powerful insecticide. This is supposed to kill the insects posing harm to the crop, but has been known to pose harm to any insect including Monarch butterflies and Lacewings. Due to the way crops pollinate, it is virtually impossible to contain genetically modified crops and stop them from spreading and infecting non-GMO’s. For more information on GMO’s watch the documentary The Future of Food.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- You usually find Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) in shampoos and other cleansers. This is what gives shampoo the familiar foaming action most people associate with clean. People are often shocked by the lack of foam in organic or non-SLS shampoos, even though they contain the same level of cleaning power. SLS is small enough to easily penetrate the skin, and changes skin’s structure in such a way that allows chemicals to enter deep into the skin.
Biodegradable Natural Sponges
Another Green Festival find were sponges. This may sound odd, but how many of you think of sponges when going green?
Well I have two types of sponges to introduce you to, one is a skincare sponge for your body, the other is a natural scrubber sponge for your dishes and household. Skin and beauty products were well represented at the Green Festival, but the Konjac sponge caught my eye as being a bit unique. It is a product out of Japan that is handmade, bio-degradable and completely sustainable.
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Eco-Me Clean with Green – DIY Natural Home Cleaning Kits
With all the eco-friendly green cleaning supplies out there (Method and now Clorox coming out with greener alternative called Green Works) why not just make your own? Eco-Me shows you how to create your own cleaning products out of baking soda, vinegar, oil and water, and provides you with the tools and containers to do it. Mix to your own concentrations and strengths, and add the provided essential oils to your own taste.
Created by Robin Levine, after her very active and health conscious 36 year-old sister was diagnosed with breast cancer with no family history of the disease, took a deeper look at the chemicals we surround ourselves with. It may be shocking to learn that there is no government regulations on cleaning or personal care products, and many chemicals used in these products are carcinogenic, hormone disruptors and general health hazards. Starting as a home based natural product, Eco-me grew into an environmental ‘action figure’ when featured in Women’s Health Magazine.
Formulated from basic safe and natural household ingredients with the thought that if its safe to eat, its probably safe to use in your home and on your body. Pepper in pure plant essential oils selected for their antibacterial & antiseptic properties as well as a great aroma, and you have a clean, fresh smelling, safe cleaning product. Independently lab tested for safety and effectiveness, the Eco-me home kit test results state a reduction and elimination of up to 96% bacteria, and the removal of dirt and odors from all general household cleaning surfaces.
The bottles provided in the kit are PET #1 plastic, a safe plastic that stands up against the 5% acidity of household vinegar (a core ingredient called for in mixing eco-me products) and since the kits are meant to be mixed and remixed, with available refills you can reuse the bottles time and time again. Additionally, PET #1 is one of the most purchased post consumer plastic from recycling centers, Patagonia even makes fleece out of this plastic.
Eco-me is currently sold online and in over 500 stores in the US and Canada and will be expanding into Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland and other international territories in 2009. Their natural product line includes a body care kit, a baby care kit, and a care kits for your cat and dog even. They also offer a new line of pre-mixed cleaning products so you don’t have too- an all purpose cleaner, wood polish and scrub cleanser. Mix up your own natural cleaning and care products with up Eco-me’s natural cleaning products.
