Spring Cleaning

Do you ever read the ingredients on shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste? Ever wonder why there is a warning to call Poison Control if ingested on products that are applied to your skin? Think about medicinal patches and how they work. The skin is the largest organ. The medical chemical is absorbed through the skin into the blood stream. The same thing is happening with our cleansers.

It’s time for a spring cleaning to de-toxify, de-clutter and simplify. I’ll help you identify the preservative chemicals you want to avoid.

Parabens (butyl, methyl, propyl) - chemical preservatives used to extend shelf life. Studies suggest that parabens act like estrogen in the body. Excess estrogen is linked to breast cancer and hormone disruptions.

Propylene glycol is a thick clear alcohol that helps skin soak moisture, thins out liquids and enhances skin’s absorption of other ingredients in the product. It may also interfere with reproductive health. Because it is an absorption agent, it also helps other toxins get into your body through your skin.

Petrolatum is a petroleum jelly. It helps the skin retain moisture and gives products a shiny texture. Because it helps the skin retain moisture it also acts as a barrier and prevents the skin (the largest organ) from breathing properly and interferes with the skin’s excretory function (sweating).

Imidazolidinyl urea is the second most commonly used preservative after parabens. It also extends the product’s shelf life. When used with water, it releases formaldehyde and causes stress to your immune system.

Polyethylene glycol and polyethylene are derived from petrolatum. These chemicals help products thicken and gel. PEGs can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen created during the manufacturing process and can cause hives, eczema and kidney toxicity.

Phenoxyethanol is an oily liquid preservative made from phenol, a coal tar derivative used to prevent scents from evaporating. Research has linked this chemical to endocrine interruption and cancers. It is the cause of eye and skin irritation.

Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate (DLS) is a chemical salt that lowers the water’s surface tension which produces foaming action and allows the product to spread. The problem is that is can produce harmful byproducts such as 1,4 dioxane and ethylene oxide two chemical linked to cancer.

Triethanolamine (TEA) is a chemical compound derivative of ammonia that boosts foaming action and prevents separation. Research has linked TEA to cancer.

It takes a little time and effort to identify new healthier products, but once you do, it actually simplifies things for you.