Toiletry Products, Cosmetics and Toxins

Your skin is the largest organ in the body and is your first line of defence against disease and infection. It is your number 1 system of detoxification.

For those of you with acne, this will be very apparent. Your skin shows you when your detoxification system is over-stressed when acne appears.

It is a little like when your toilet is blocked and the waste comes back up instead of going down the toilet to the sewage system. Toxins get backed up in the body and come out of your skin instead of being processed by the normal organs of detoxification, e.g. liver and kidneys.

Your skin maintains body temperature, prevents micro-organisms from entering your body and releases toxins.

Your skin is permeable which means that whatever you put on your skin and scalp enters your blood stream and your body will try to digest, assimilate and excrete.

So before you next use deodorant, moisturiser, shampoo or cleanser, you may wish to consider the contents of this article with regards to your health.

In addition, to your skin, you also need to take into consideration what you inhale or what comes into contact with any of your mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are located in your oral, nasal, vaginal passages and are often exposed to toiletries and other personal care products.

The industry here in the UK is worth more than £10billion per year and is constantly rising. The products are never tested on humans before going to sale. This means that you are the guinea pigs! Until a few hundred ago, the human body was only exposed to organic compounds.

Nowadays modern foods and water supply exposes the body to over 200 synthetic chemicals and cosmetic products expose the body to a further 15-18,000 chemicals.

The American Red Cross suggest that unborn babies are swimming in chemicals including mercury, petrol and pesticides.

There are some good manufacturers of these products. Before I inform you of where you can buy safe products, I wish to take this opportunity to inform you about some of the dangers of the chemicals in many of the common products used today.

Alcohol / Isopropyl SD-40:
This is used as a solvent and carrier found in a wide range of products. It causes drying and is irritating.

Aluminium:
Aluminium is used in anti-perspirants. Aluminium is highly toxic to the brain and is linked to Alzheimer’s. It is also very irritable to the skin.

Chlorine:
Chlorine is in household cleaning products and tap water (which you use to wash with). Chlorine is toxic in the human body and has been linked to hormone imbalance, immune system depression, infertility, respiratory problems, bladder cancer, still births and birth defects.

Coal Tar Colours:
Coal tar colours are found in food, medication and cosmetics. Coal tar is poisonous and has been shown to create allergic reactions, cancer, heavy metal poisoning and bladder cancer in hairdressers. Food with ‘e’ numbers in, are made from coal tar.

Fluoride:
Fluoride is often used in commercial toothpastes. It is a toxin and is suggested to cause cancer.

Formaldehyde:
Formaldehyde is found in shampoo, soaps, nail polish and nail hardeners. It is also used in preservatives, disinfectant, fungicide and germicide. Formaldehyde has banned in Sweden and Japan and has been linked with cancer, fibromyalgia, fatigue, MS, nerve damage, coughs, colds and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Lanolin:
Lanolin is safe in its normal form. Cosmetic grade Lanolin is often contaminated with pesticides and is used in products for nursing mothers.

Lead:
Lead is found in hair dyes and colours. It is poisonous and has been linked with cancer, hormone imbalance, nerve damage, depression, mental retardation, learning defects, decreased IQ, heart disease and osteoporosis.

Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben:
These are used to inhibit microbial growth and prolong shelf life. They are found in many products. Produces toxic compounds when mixed with benzoic acid and can be highly irritating and cause allergic reactions.

Phenylenediamines:
Phenylenediamines are found in permanent and oxidative hair dyes. It has been linked with eczema, asthma, gastritis, skin irritation, cancer and death.

Propylene Glycol (PPG or PEG):
Propylene Glycol is used as a delivery agent to drive products into the skin and is used in most products including deodorants, baby lotion and mascara. It is also used in antifreeze, brake fluid and removing barnacles from boats. It has been linked with nervous system toxicity, inhibiting cell growth by altering cell membranes, dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities.

Phthalates:
Phthalates are found in deodorants, perfumes, hair mousses, gels and sprays and nail polish. They can harm reproductive organs and fetal development. They can also damage the liver, kidneys and lungs.

Quarternary Ammonium Compounds:
Quarternary Ammonium Compounds often shown as benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide and quarternium 1-29 are used in preservatives, germicides, surfactants and fabric softener. They are toxic and can irritate the eyes and skin and benzalkonium chloride can release formaldehyde.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is used for its lathering properties and is found in about 90% of all commercial shampoos, skin creams, body washes and toothpastes. They have been shown to cause skin and eye irritation, damage the skin barrier function, increase allergic response to other toxins and allergens. It may also affect infant eye development. It is also strongly linked with cancer.

Synthetic Fragrance:
Synthetic Fragrance is found in perfumes, after shaves, soaps, hair sprays and other scented products, e.g. candles. Synthetic Fragrance is the number one irritant in cosmetics products. They have been linked with cancer, birth defects, nervous system and behavioural disorders, allergic reactions and hormonal disruption.

Talc:
Talc is found in talcum powder, liquid foundations, colour cosmetics, anti-perspirants and skin refreshers. It is chemically similar to asbestos. It has been linked with cancer (especially ovarian cancer if products used in that area), lung irritation, coughing, vomiting and pneumonia.

So what can you do to avoid these potentially harmful chemicals and still look, smell and feel good?

The only company I am aware of that can supply you with all the products you need is Mi One Group. Their products are of the highest quality and only use the best ingredients not containing any known harmful ingredients and are environmentally friendly. There are other companies such as Dr Hauschka, Green People and Living Nature who also provide high quality products, but they do not supply a full range.

So if you wish to stay healthy, look good, smell good and perform well, ensure you hydrate well with good quality water, eat good quality food, bathe, wash and shower in properly filtered water and use the highest quality products on your skin each and every day.

Leigh Brandon