Health Tip of the Month - May 2010
Most of us are aware of the benefits of healthy eating, taking supplements, and getting proper exercise and rest. However, a part of our body that is often ignored when it comes to our health is the largest organ of our body - our skin!
We absorb many unwanted chemicals in the products we put on our skin. An interesting experiment which proves the power of our skin to absorb chemicals is this: Try taking out a couple of cloves of raw, crushed garlic cloves. Now, as silly as this may sound, stand on each clove with your bare feet. It shouldn't take more than 1/2 an hour, after you've stood on the garlic for 5-10 minutes, that you will notice that you will be able to detect the garlic on your breath. This obviously means that the soles of your feet absorbed the compounds from the garlic and transferred them throughout your body, rather quickly. Quite an amazing fact, when you think about it.
Buying all-natural cosmetics is a smart alternative to many traditional products which have unwanted and unhealthy chemicals. It will help you to limit your exposure to a wise array of chemicals often found in mainstream cosmetics.
Below is a list of just some of the most common chemicals found in many products:Propylene Glycol - is a wetting agent and solvent used in make up, hair care products, deodorants, after shave and is often found in toothpaste. Its also the main ingredient in antifreeze and brake fluid.
Polyethylene Glycol - A related agent found in most skin cleansers, is a caustic used to dissolve grease... the same substance you find in oven cleaners.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)- Used in toothpastes, shampoos and just about every personal cleansing product on the market.
SLS is also a harsh detergent commonly used as an engine degreaser and garage floor cleaner.
Used in bubble bath, shampoos, moisturising lotions and many cosmetics as an inhibiting agent against carcinogenic nitrosamine production. Yet this chemical is a known carcinogen in it's own right!
A few more:
Chemical Found In
| BHA (butyl hydroxy anisole) | • Many cosmetics | Coal Tar Dyes | • Hair dyes |
| Formaldehyde | • Nail treatments |
| Petroleum Distillates | • Mascara • Perfume • Foundation • Lipstick |
| Parabens (ex. methylparaben,propylparaben) | • Many cosmetics |
| Phthalates (ex. (dibutyl phthalate; DBP, dibutyl ester; Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate; DEHP)) | • Nail polish • Nail treatments • Fragrances • Perfumes |
| Synthetic Musks | • Fragrances • Cosmetics |
| Selenium Sulfide | • Shampoo |
| Toluene | • Nail polish • Nail treatments |
Most people are quite shocked to find that these chemicals are as prevalent as they are in cosmetics and toiletries. You can see why reading the labels on these products is a habit that we should all get into!