Toxic Ingredients in Products
We are all beginning to hear more and more about the toxic chemicals that are being found in products. They are not as safe as we all thought.
Our family came across this great book a few years ago. A very small guide-type book. We found it before our first child was born, but, this book is too amazing not to share and everyone can benefit from it, not just people with children. We all hear of people, know people, or are a person who has had or is undergoing treatment for cancer, has autoimmune disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a combination thereof. Did you know that many of the things we put on our skin are known to cause cancer, and manufacturers are still allowed to put them on the shelves. Often, we think we are being taken care of by our government, by the FDA or CDC, but, what we don’t realize is that even they have been purchased for a large price. Even if you don’t agree with that statement, it may benefit you to take some time to research some of these products to learn more about the ingredients, and know that what you put on your skin truly matters. This is one of the things that started our quest to healthier living....losing a very close and young family member to cancer.
We all know, when we drink water it is absorbed into our body….but, did you know that your skin absorbs 6-10 times faster than water does when you drink it? (see this book for more information on that: Maximized Living Nutrition Plan book by B. Lerner, BJ Hardick and K. Roberto). Did you know when you breath in perfumes and other ingredients they are actually absorbed into your bloodstream? God made our bodies with amazing abilities to push out toxins, but, unfortunately, all of our bodies, over the last 40 years or so have been bombarded with so many harmful products which have completely overwhelmed our bodies natural defenses and have broken them down over time.
It is so important to read labels and know what you are eating, and what you are putting on your skin. This book is an easy guide for people that are new at this, to learn how to do this without getting too overwhelmed. And the great news is, is once you figure out what products are good, and which ones to stay away from, it is super easy…you just go to the store and get what you need.
In the book “Safer for Your Baby” by Lynn Tondat Ruggeri, Ph.D., and Laura Costa, Ph.D they stated the following information: (We recommend purchasing the book though, because it is not just for a baby, and it is packed full of valuable information....it is small in size and an easy read)
Learning About Ingredients: (p. 12)
READ THE LABEL Carefully. Look for products labeled “all-natural or “organic” but read further to see how these terms are defined. While neither term guarantees that a product is free of harmful chemicals, it is a good place to start. If you look for a USDA Certified Organic or Quality Assurance International-Certified Organic label, this labeling indicates that at least 95% of the product ingredients were grown or raised without the use of synthetic fertilizers, synthetic pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides), antibiotics, growth hormones, irradiation, genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) or sewage sludge. See ams.usda.gov/nop for more.
Avoid synthetic ingredients, often with long unfamiliar chemical names or abbreviations. We advise this not only for baby’s personal care products, but also for make-up that a baby may have exposure to from skin contact, inhalation or via breast milk. Most skin cream, foundation, eye shadow, lipstick, nail polish, etc. contains unsafe chemicals that gain access to the body through the skin, eyes, nose and/or mouth. Safer non-toxic personal care products and make-up are available.
Note the order of listed ingredients. Ingredients in personal care and food products are listed in order from the greatest amt (listed first) to the least amount (listed last).
Although simpler is often safer, there are important exceptions. Some beneficial ingredients have longer names (e.g., d-alpha tocopheryl acetate is a form of natural vitamin E).
Avoid products with “fragrance”, “perfume”, “scent” or “masking fragrance” as ingredients. This includes perfumes, colognes, after-shaves and body sprays. Unless otherwise stated, fragrances are made up of combinations of harmful VOCs that gain access to the brain and bloodstream through the nose, skin or mouth. These chemical combinations or “trade secret” formulas are made up of diluted levels of ingredients known to be highly toxic in greater amounts. Few, if any, of these ingredients have undergone safety testing to rule out harmful effects, especially to developing children. This also applies to scented products such as carpet fresheners, plug in/spray air fresheners, spray odor removers, dryer sheets, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, household cleaners and scented candles/oils.
Go to www.ehnca.org and fpinva.org for more information. Select fragrance-free products or products containing pure plant-based essential oils as scent ingredients.
Ingredients to Avoid: (p. 15)
artificial flavors/FD&C or D&C cikirs
artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose)
BHA, BHT, nitrates, sodium/potassium benzoate
cocamide DEA
cocamidopropyl betaine
disodium or tetrasodium EDTA
fluoride, sodium fluroide
fragrance, perfume
hydantoin (MDM or DMDM)
isopropyl, butyl, benzyl, stearyl, or SD-40 alcohols
MEA, DEA, or TEA (mono, di or triethanolamine)
methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben
mineral oil, petrolatum, petroleum jelly
MSG (monosodium glutamate), hydro/autolyzed protein/yeast
PEG (polyethylene glycol), PG (propylene glycol)
quaternium-15, polyquaternium
SLS, ALS (sodium or ammonium lauryl sulfate)
sodium borate/tretraborate
talc, magnesium silicate
triclosan
urea(s) with prefixes
Websites to see with more information about these:
cosmeticsdatabase.com
lesstoxicguide.ca
cspinet.org
healthychild.org
Additional Tips for Non-Toxic Cleaning: (p. 32)
Choose the least toxic option. Use a doormat and removing shoes reduces tracking pollutants indoors and the need to shampoo or wash floors frequently
Less is usually safer. Use less first and see if it will do the job.
Avoid the use of ammonia or bleach because of hazardous fumes.
Avoid products that come in aerosol spray cans.
Washing soda is composed of naturally occurring minerals and is good for scouring hard surfaces. It is moderately caustic, so you need to wear gloves. Leave it on overnight as an oven cleaner to allow the minerals to do their job. Use sparingly on fabric, as it can weaken fibers and remove dyes.
Don’t store chemicals under kitchen or bathroom sinks where children may have access.
For safer clothes whitening products, look for bleach alternatives: hydrogen peroxide or percarbonate powder. Strong sunlight can also effectively lighten clothes.
When buying household products look for safer ingredient terms: (p. 33)
Biodegradable
enzyme-based (stain remover)
non-toxic
chlorine free
phosphate free
non-petroleum based surfactance (in all-purpose cleaners)
VOC free or low VOC (paints, markers, glues, refinishing products)
natrual fragrance (from essential oils)
Ingredients to Avoid: (p. 34)
Acetone: stain/nail polish removers, permanent markers
antibacterial (triclosan): soaps, antibacterial cleaners, clothing, toys, sneakers
ammonia: glass/all-purpose cleaners, antibacterial soap
fragrances (artificial): cleaning and personal care products
benzene: solvents, paints, fragrances, cosmetics
bleach/chlorine: laundry products, scouring powder
cresol: air fresheners, floor/furniture polish, permanent markers
dyes: dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent
formaldehyde/formalin: disinfectants, air fresheners, permanent markers
lead: ceramic glazes, hair color, older paint
lye (sodium hydroxide): drain and oven cleaners
naphthalene: air fresheners, permanent markers, moth balls
paradichlorobenzene: air fresheners, moth balls
perchloroethylene (PERC): rug shampoo, dry cleaning
petroleum distillates: floor/furniture polishes, metal cleaners
phenol: floor/furniture polish, disinfectants, nail polish
sodium hypochlorite: bleach, disinfectants, mold/mildew cleaners
tetrachloroethylene: dry cleaning
toluene: nail polish, permanent markers
xylene: paint, air fresheners, nail polish
diethanolamine (DEA): soaps, lotions, cosmetics, bubble bath, laundry and dishwasher detergent
propylene glycol: vaccinations, anitifreeze, hydraulic fluids, cosmetics, toothpaste, shampoo, deoderant, lotions, processed foods, pet food
sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): surfactant, water, soap, shampoo, toothpaste
teflon: pots and pans
Household Products with the Most Toxic Ingredients: (p. 16)
Pesticides: insecticides, weed killers, lawn chemicals, flea/tick products
Harsh cleaners: bleach, ammonia, lye, etc.
VOCs and Volatile Solvents: paint thinners, glue, etc.
All of our products are free from all of these harmful chemicals. If you choose to purchase them, we think you will be very pleased with both the fact that you are applying only safe and mostly edible products to your body and your home, but, also that they work!
