My mother was wondering why there was dye and perfume in the shampoo she was using so she took it upon herself to investigate all the unknown (and hard to pronounce) ingredients that were in her shampoo bottle. In doing so she discovered shockingly that many of the ingredients in shampoo, conditioner and hand and body soap are in fact toxic and carcinogenic (cancer causing). For example parabens mimic estrogen and have been found undigested in breast tumors. What goes on your skin is absorbed by your body. This is why things such as the nicotine patch work. The chemical is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. The same goes for everything else that we put on our skin - shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, skin cleanser, moisturizer, etc. Some of the ingredients that you want to look out for and avoid are: parabens, phenoxyethanol or formaldehyde releaser preservatives (i.e. quaternium, hydantoin), artificial fragrances or dyes, phthalates, sulfates, propylene glycol or ingredients generating carcinogenic nitrosamines. You also want to choose products that are not tested on animals.
There are many natural, chemical-free, and organic products on the market. Two of my favourite are Green Beaver and Nadarra. Green Beaver produces a great line of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hand soap and have a great foaming hand soap for kids (and they are Canadian). Nadarra has a great line of skin care products with no harsh or toxic chemicals (and are Canadian too).
Some people comment on the cost of natural or organic products thinking it is too expensive. Is it really? Maybe the cost of actually purchasing the product is more, but what about all the other costs. What are the "cheaper" toxic products costing us in terms of the environment, our health, our kids health, water pollution? When you look at the big picture, natural organic products ARE cheaper ... and safer and healthier.
It's the little things that make a big difference. Something to think about.
