Did you know that most household cleaning and personal care products on the market contain toxic chemicals?

Are you aware that many of these products also contain chemicals that haven’t been tested for safety?

Many people without realising it are using chemicals every day in their homes and on their bodies that are harmful to their health and their families. They are also bad for the environment.

Many people recycle their rubbish but don’t realise that the water leaving their house is far more toxic than the water that comes into their home. Why is this? Detergents, soaps, shampoo, cleaning and many other products contain toxic chemicals that get washed down the drain into the waterways and environment, polluting the plants, animals and threatening the entire ecosystem.

Most dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents, shampoos, soaps, moisturisers, toothpaste, makeup and many other self-care products being sold on the shelves today contain toxic chemicals such as fragrance, parabens, PEGs/Ceteareth/Polyethylene compounds, phthalates, triclosan, Vitamin A compounds (retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinol) and many others. The following are just some of the common but worst chemicals as they have been proven to cause serious health problems:

Fragrance:

Also called ‘parfum’, can contain dozens of chemicals under the name ‘fragrance’. The law doesn’t require companies to list what chemicals are in their fragrance on the product label. Fragrance is in the top 5 allergens in the world and is linked with allergies, dermatitis and respiratory distress. Commonly found in cleaning products, dishwashing and laundry detergents, shampoo, moisturiser, perfume, cosmetics, grooming products and many others.

Parabens (specifically Propyl-, Isopropyl-, Butyl-, and Isobutyl- parabens):

Preservatives found in cosmetics that mimic estrogen, can disrupt the hormones and cause reproductive and developmental problems.

PEGs/Ceteareth/Polyethylene compounds:

 Commonly contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, considered to be a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. government and which is readily absorbed into the skin. Found in shaving cream, after shave, acne products and other cleaning and conditioning products.

Phthalates:

Linked to asthma and infertility. Studies show it damages the male reproductive system. It can be found in ‘fragrance’ so avoid any products that list fragrance as an ingredient on the label. Nail polish can contain it as well.

Triclosan:

An antibacterial agent and preservative found in liquid and bar soaps, cosmetics, toothpaste and other products that interferes with reproductive hormones and disrupts thyroid function.

Vitamin A compounds (retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinol):

Can increase skin sensitivity and when exposed to sunlight, has been shown in lab animals to damage DNA and worsen skin lesions and tumours. Widely used in sunscreen, skin lotions, lip products and cosmetics.

Many chemicals used in most household and personal products haven’t even been tested for safety. Chemicals are being developed so fast that testing isn’t keeping up to understand the after effects. The Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s Skin Deep online database rates chemicals according to their toxicity and shows whether they’ve been tested for safety.

Are there healthier alternatives?

Yes there are many plant-based, chemical-free products available on the market now. I used to get eczema breakouts after wearing makeup, using lotions and soaps containing chemicals which caused dryness and irritations on my skin. After switching to all-natural products, I no longer get any irritations as they are much gentler on skin. Many people report that symptoms like skin irritations, sneezing and allergies have disappeared when they switched to plant-based cleaning and household products. Our skin is like a sponge and absorbs anything you put on it. Which then goes straight into the bloodstream as well as anything you breathe. If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin. Switch to safer chemical-free, plant-based products for the health of you and your family and the earth.

 

References:

https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/top-tips-for-safer-products/#.WoYs8d-WbIU