Personal care and skin care products - hurting your health and the environment?

Everyday we hear about protecting and conserving our environment, and because of this new found awareness, most people have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint in one way or another.  Simple things like using a canvas tote, turning off and unplugging electrical items when not in use and recycling to name a few.  However, have you thought about your skin care and personal care products and the effect they have on our environment?

A short list of common ingredients in skin care and personal care products that are detrimental to the environment and to your health are:

Phthalates - Phthalates: Studies have shown these cause birth defects and harm male reproductive organs. Unfortunately, a legal loophole in the US means that phthalates can be included in a product's fragrance without actually appearing on the label. This chemical is commonly found in nail polish and deodorant.

Parabens – common preservatives which can mimic the hormone estrogen, which can increase the risk of developmental breast cancer and genital abnormalities. A recent study by the Environmental Working Group just completed a study of hormone disrupting chemicals in skin care products and teen age girls.  Parabens are also labeled as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben.

Petroleum - Petroleum by-products, including mineral oil, paraffin and propylene glycol, are a common ingredient in many cosmetics. According to The Environmental Working Group, petroleum products not only take hundreds of years to biodegrade, but they might be linked to skin irritation, allergies and cancer.

Triclosan: This is classified by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen, and its overuse could result in drug-resistant bacteria. This chemical is commonly found in anti-bacterial soaps and cleaners. You can read more about this chemical and it overuse on my squidoo lens titled Creating Super Germs.

While this article is not intended to frighten you in any way, I am just reporting to you the ill effects that common skin care and personal care ingredients can cause.  Do a search on any on of these ingredients and ingredients in your skin care products and know what you are applying to your skin and the skin of your children.  I also invite you to visit the Environmental Working Group and their assessment of skin care products.

Unfortunately the FDA does not require safety testing before beauty and personal care items placed on the market.  Therefore, know your ingredients.

Next time you are purchasing a personal care item or skin care item read the label and research the ingredients.  A good example of green skin care products that do not harm the earth or your health are Shaklee products.  Founded more than 50 years ago, Shaklee has been a leading provider of premium-quality natural nutrition products, personal care products, and environmentally friendly home care products. In 2000, Shaklee became the first company in the world to be Climate Neutral™ certified to totally offset its CO2 emissions, resulting in a net-zero impact on the environment. 

Another alternative is homemade skin care recipes; they are fun, inexpensive, effective and really eco-friendly.  Visit Complete Skin Care Therapy to get some fun skin care recipes. 

Just got wind of this offer - check it out FREE Verseo Detox Hair Serum! A $24.95 value! Min purchase of $19.99, add Serum to cart, enter code: freedetox. Exp 9/30/09