Tuesday, March 3, 2009

"Organic" Personal Care Products with Carcinogens?

I wish it wasn't so, but it is. The one billion pores in your skin are crying out "No no, it's not true! I thought I was safe. It says "organic"!

This giant sponge known as your skin is the first line of defense against anything you put on your body. Ten to fifteen minutes is all it takes to absorb whatever you put on your skin. Since your body is absorbing it, you are feeding it.

The regulations on the "organic" label in personal care products are not the same as they are on food products unless they are USDA certified. Because of this, many products have the word "organic" in their brand name or on their label. What this means is that the main cleansing ingredients are usually made with conventional ingredients combined with petrochemical compounds. Ugh! The most used carcinogenic petrochemical is Ethylene Oxide which is known as 1,4-Dioxine. And it doesn't have to appear on the label because it is considered a by-product. Many leading brands (Jason, Avalon Organics, Kiss My Face, Giovanni, Nature's Gate & Grandpa's) have this chemical. Go to www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/index.cfm to find out more. Here is a list of some other ingredients to avoid in the products you buy.
Mineral oil, parabens, petrolatum, propylene glycol, phenal, sodium laurel, lauryth, myreth or lauryl sulfate. Sodium laurel sulfate is present in over 90% of personal health products. Look at the ingredients of your toothpaste, shampoo, cream rinse lotion, etc.
Let the USDA know that we want these substances banned from our products like they do in Europe. Companies listen too.
Here are some brands that are safe from those chemicals...
Aubrey Organics, Weleda, LUSA, Dr. Bronner's, Alffia, Jozlyn's Remedies, Four Elements, Logona, heritage House, Wiseway Herbals, Star Lady Botanicals, Moossprytes, Evan Healy, True Botanica & Burts Bees (watch out for nanoparticles in their Sunscreen SPF 15 though).

And last but not least, a list of the most harmful chemicals & where they are found...
Mercury (listed as thimerosal)-eye drops, ointment & deodorants
Lead Acetate-hair dyes & cleanser
Formaldehyde & toulene-nail products
Petrochemicals-hair relaxers, shampoos, mascara, perfume, foundation, lipstick, lip balm
Coal Tar-dandruff shampoos, anti-itch creams & hair dyes
Placenta-hair relaxers, moisturizers & toners
Phthalates-nail polish, fragrances & hair spray
Have I scared you enough today? :-( Sorry about that. This is just one of those things I've known for years & felt it needed sharing. Now walk over to your bathroom closet or vanity & take a look. And bring a wastebasket with you :-)

11 comments:

PatQ said...

Placenta???? Did I read that right? If it's what I'm thinking of isn't that organic?

MaryAnn said...

You are correct. Some products say organic on the front, but that is for marketing purposes. We need to read the list of ingredients on the back.
Thank you

ChristyACB said...

Placenta is usually fine. It is the collagen and other natural health elements of the placenta that are beneficial.

I used to have a lotion that used human placenta, right on the top of the ingredients listed as such. It isn't sold anymore due to protests, but it was amazing since it didn't cause any acne or clogged pores at all.

Most comes from animals though and factory farming, which makes it a very unkind product at this time.

Rabbit Hill Farm said...

Ughhh!!!! How devious!

Barb said...

Hi Pat..you read it right. But where did the placenta come from..factory farmed animals, animals only fed organic foods?..we don't know.
Thanks for all the comments!

Chris W said...

It still gives me the willies to see "propylene glycol" on an ingredients list. We use that stuff to keep pipes from freezing at work. Funny how the barrel says it's "enviro friendly" and "safe to dump", but also has medical emergency warnings if ingested or just from exposure to skin.....doesnt make sense does it.

Barb said...

I know Chris. Very scary. Why would it ever be considered "safe" to use in any products we use . Have to look out for ourselves.

Chris W said...

Barb this got me thinking, and I looked up an MSDS sheet on the stuff. (material safety data sheet)

Eye Contact:
Check for and remove any contact lenses. Immediately flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes,
keeping eyelids open. Cold water may be used. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact:
In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Remove
contaminated clothing and shoes. Cold water may be used.Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes
before reuse. Get medical attention.
Serious Skin Contact:
Wash with a disinfectant soap and cover the contaminated skin with an anti-bacterial cream. Seek immediate
medical attention.
Inhalation:
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get
medical attention.
Serious Inhalation: Not available.
Ingestion:
Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an
unconscious person. If large quantities of this material are swallowed, call a physician immediately. Loosen tight
clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband.

Barb said...

Thanks Chris! Wow! I hope everyone reads this. Don't trust other people (especially big corporations) to look out for your safety.

Edain said...

Another interesting post, thanks for sharing! :)

Zan Asha said...

Haha, I remember learning about this a few years ago. It's why I make my own soap or just wash with water. Arggh!