We had a question come up about the the best shampoos and conditioners a few weeks ago and we were stumped. So we dug in and did some research on bath and beauty products. We tend to spend a lot of time thinking about what we put in our body, but after digging into this topic we've found out that what we put on our body may matter just as much! In fact the average adult uses nine personal care products each day, containing 126 different chemicals! After learning about the dangers of slathering chemicals on our skin we are actively looking for products that pass the Vibetality Standards.
How toxic could the shampoos, conditioners, lotions and potions we all use, really be? They sell it everywhere, so it must be safe, right? The truth is, it may be more toxic than you think, and could possibly be affecting your health. Those bottles of shampoo that promise thick, luxurious hair could also be covering you in all kinds of chemicals that you never knew about!
Some chemicals like Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) and similarly related compounds, are found in just about everything! These widely used and inexpensive chemicals can be found in all kinds of personal hygiene products, but they are most often found in:
Shampoos,
Toothpastes
Mouthwashes
Body-washes
Soaps
Detergents
These SLS chemical compounds are used as a surfactant to lower the surface tension of the product (make it easier to use). Because of there potency and abundance SLS compounds are possibly the most dangerous ingredient, we as consumer encounter routinely throughout the day. SLS compounds have been linked to serious skin and scalp disease, as well as hair loss and damage. Although there are some frightening reports about SLS compounds having the the ability to create nitrate compounds which have been linked to cancer that evidence doesn't seem well founded at this point.
After finding out that The American College of Toxicology states that SLS and its cousin Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) can cause malformation and damage to eyes it might not shock you to learn that companies try to hide Sodium Laurel Sulfate in their products. Often its labeled using a variety of disguising chemical names such as:
Shampoos,
Toothpastes
Mouthwashes
Body-washes
Soaps
Detergents
These SLS chemical compounds are used as a surfactant to lower the surface tension of the product (make it easier to use). Because of there potency and abundance SLS compounds are possibly the most dangerous ingredient, we as consumer encounter routinely throughout the day. SLS compounds have been linked to serious skin and scalp disease, as well as hair loss and damage. Although there are some frightening reports about SLS compounds having the the ability to create nitrate compounds which have been linked to cancer that evidence doesn't seem well founded at this point.
After finding out that The American College of Toxicology states that SLS and its cousin Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) can cause malformation and damage to eyes it might not shock you to learn that companies try to hide Sodium Laurel Sulfate in their products. Often its labeled using a variety of disguising chemical names such as:
Diethanolime DEA
Triethanolamine TEA
Monoethanolamine MEA
Sulfuric acid
Monododecyl ester
Sodium salt sulfuric acid
Monododecyl ester sodium salt sulfuric acid
A13-00356
Akyposal SDS
Aquarex ME
Aquarex methyl
Sulfuric acid
Monododecyl ester
Sodium salt sulfuric acid
Monododecyl ester sodium salt sulfuric acid
A13-00356
Akyposal SDS
Aquarex ME
Aquarex methyl
You will commonly find one or more of these listed on almost all shampoo bottles. Even if one of these 3 chemicals isn't listed on your shampoo bottle it's almost a certainty that one or more of Sodium Laurel Sulfate's dangerous cousins will be included. Chemicals cousins to SLS are can be listed with such names as:
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Disodium Laureth Sulfosucinate
The American College of Toxicology states that SLS and its cousin Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) can cause malformation and damage to eyes.
Because our skin is not not a uniform barrier, there are different regions and area of the body that absorb better than others. Unfortunately chemical absorption by the skin is increased with products going on our head because hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands create small holes in the derma layer that increase absorption rates.
For a quick glance guide of a few of the most prevalent chemicals to watch out for see below! We also found this great website that rates, all kinds of personal care products based on their toxicity. You can just type in the name of a product you use and it will pull up lots of great information!
- Irritation of the skin and eyes
- Organ toxicity
- Developmental/reproductive toxicity
- Neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, ecotoxicology, and biochemical or cellular changes
- Possible mutations and cancer
- Dioxane
1,4 dioxane, a byproduct of ethylene oxide, received a "high hazard" rating from EWG's Skin Deep, and it is commonly found in shampoo and other personal care products. Even baby shampoo often contains this cancer-causing toxin.On the CDC site, 1,4 dioxane is described as "probably carcinogenic to humans," toxic to the brain and central nervous system, kidneys and liver. It is also a leading groundwater contaminant.- Diethanolamine or DEA
In a recent FDA report, approximately 42% of all cosmetics were contaminated with NDEA, with shampoos having the highest concentrations. DEA also readily reacts with nitrite preservatives and contaminants to create nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), a known and potent carcinogen.This is a big problem because DEA seems to block absorption of the nutrient choline, which is vital to brain development. Pregnant women actually require extra choline so they can pass it on to their fetus.An associate dean for research at the UNC School of Public Health mentioned that choline is necessary to help provide proper nutrients for a healthy baby; stating that, "At this point it is a caution. But it would probably be prudent to look at labels and try to limit exposure until we know more."- Propylene Glycol
This active ingredient is found in engine coolants and antifreeze, airplane de-icers, tire sealants, rubber cleaners, polyurethane cushions, paints, adhesives, enamels and varnishes, and in many products as a solvent or surfactant.And guess what? Despite the fact the material safety data sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as it is a strong skin irritant and can also cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage, it's more than likely in your shampoo.- Parabens
Parabens, which are used as preservatives, may be listed on the label as methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isobutyl paraben or E216. They have shown particularly troubling links to cancer.Studies have shown that parabens can affect your body much like estrogens, which can lead to diminished muscle mass, extra fat storage, and male gynecomastia (breast growth). Other studies have also linked parabens to breast cancer, as researchers found traces of parabens in every sample of tissue taken from 20 different breast tumors.The EPA has linked methyl parabens in particular to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancers.
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