by Linda Chaé

The average person is exposed to over 200 chemicals before they ever leave their bathroom each morning. The chemicals are ingredients in their soaps and shampoos as they bathe or shower, the conditioners and body lotion that completes their morning shower, the deodorant and toothpaste used for hygiene, the after shave lotions, perfumes, moisturizers, makeup, hair sprays and breath fresheners. The point of contact for many of these chemicals and harmful synthetic ingredients is the skin - your body’s largest organ. The result of using these chemicals is that people feel tired, experience foggy thinking, increased inflammation and pain, and even depression.

The skin may serve as a protective organ, but it is not impenetrable. In fact, one square inch of skin contains an amazing 650 sweat glands, 65 hair follicles, 234 feet of nerves, 57 feet of capillaries, 19,000 sensory cells, 94 sebaceous oil glands, 1250 pain receptors, and 101 temperature receptors. The skin especially absorbs lipids (oils) and most synthetic ingredients are made from petroleum (an oil) which can, and does absorb into your body.

We cannot always control our exposure to chemicals in cleaning solutions or pesticides, but we do have a choice about what we put in direct contact with our skin. A big part of this decision is selecting natural, toxin free skin, hair and personal care products...for ourselves, our families (most importantly - babies) and our pets.

What is the Risk Factor?

Many skin and personal care products contain carcinogens, fragrances, harmful preservatives and chemicals that can block the skin’s critical natural functions of absorbing oxygen and detoxifying the body. While these toxic ingredients may be present in miniscule amounts, some or all of these chemicals are absorbed through the skin into the fatty tissue and blood stream. Research has shown traces of these toxins are stored in the brain, liver, heart, kidneys, etc. The biggest problems occur when they are repeatedly applied over an extended period of time, which is the nature of personal and skin care products. These ingredients can impact your neurological health, create or worsen allergic reactions, and more acutely affect children and pets as the residue floats down to concentrate 12 inches above the floor where small children and our pets live and play.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 884 chemicals and synthetic ingredients commonly found in personal care and cosmetic products are toxic and known as irritants, allergens or carcinogens. While they are not prohibited (or have only minimal restrictions) for use in personal and skin care in the United States, in other countries like the Canada, European Union, and Japan, health concerns stimulated laws to ban many of these ingredients.

How Do I Choose Products Free from Toxins?

Toxic free products help you feel better, think more clearly, remember more and experience less irritation and depression. So what is the best way to ensure that your skincare choices are free of toxins and other irritants?

• Choose products made with natural ingredients that are certified by independent organizations to contain only clean, safe ingredients.
• Be an informed consumer and don’t rely on the marketing hype of companies just telling you their products are “natural.” Many companies claiming to sell ‘natural’ ingredients have products that contain dangerous fragrances, preservative systems or petroleum-based ingredients.
• Read the ingredient lists and select products free from ingredients like propylene or butylene glycol, PEG’s, sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, and diazolinade urea (a formaldehyde doner). If the products you are considering do not have a complete set of ingredients, request a list. Responsible cosmetic and personal care companies will be happy to provide information you require to make buying decisions.
  

Companies making safe, clean cosmetic and personal care products free from toxins are also more likely to have other socially and ecologically responsible practices. They are less likely to use animal products or testing. Many of them support sustainable business practices and source organic ingredients for their products. Many of these companies also source packaging that is biodegradable or packaging made from recycled materials.

Companies which market high quality skin, hair and personal care products free from toxins or other harmful ingredients maintain very high standards to acquire safe, natural ingredients. They demand responsible growing, harvesting and extracting protocols, even independent certification of such, to assure their final products are clean and free from harmful ingredients. Because of these standards, people with sensitive skin or skin conditions can find natural, toxin free products that are truly gentle and will not negatively impact them.

Informed consumers making wise choices for their own skin, hair and personal care products are also seeking clean, organic products free from toxins for their children and pets. The youngest members of the family are more sensitive to ingredients. Some of the toxins and chemicals in personal, hair and skin care have the ability to impact their hormones, their immune systems and even their brains and their ability to learn.

Increasing chronic illnesses among pet dogs and cats have been traced to exposures to chemicals and other toxins. Conscientious consumers (like you) have created a demand for safe, healthy pet products such as shampoos, odor eliminators and breath fresheners free from toxins and chemicals.

Additional information is available from the following resources:

Chaé^® Organics, Inc. – www.chaeorganics.biz

Environmental Working Group – www.ewg.org

The ToxicFree® Foundation – www.toxicfree.org

©2006