Monday, June 29, 2009

Why I'm Switching To Organic Products

One of my colleagues noticed that almost all the products I let my family use are organic. She advised me not to continue making Ella depend on organic products, but the time for conversation was too limited that I wasn't able to ask why. As it lingered in my head, I was thinking about the reason and what bessy said made sense. They were thinking that because Ella is so used to organic, regular products with synthetic ingredients may cause her allergic reactions.

This is kind of a concerning idea to me. Synthetic ingredients are hyper-allergenic on their own to begin with. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies buffer the toxicity of these ingredients with other ingredients so that they'd be, at least, "HYPO" -allergenic or "LESS" -allergenic. So do we really need to use them so that our skin develops immunity on them over time?

To each his own, I must say. I wouldn't mind smothering Ella with organic products until she has the mind of her own to decide whether she'd go green or not. But it's not just ourselves and our loved ones we protect when we choose biodegradeable organic products. We also protect MOTHER NATURE.

Check out some of the ingredients we've been avoiding recently:

Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40)

A very drying and irritating solvent and dehydrator that strips your skin's natural acid mantle, making us more vulnerable to bacteria, moulds and viruses. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative. It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin.

Anionic Surfactants:

* Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
* Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
* Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
* Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES)
* Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
* Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
* Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
* Potassium Coco Hydrolysed Collagen
* TEA (Triethanolamine) Lauryl Sulfate
* TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate
* Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine
* Disodium Oleamide Sulfosuccinate
* Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
* Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate etc

Anionic refers to the negative charge these surfactants have. They may be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. Surfactants can pose serious health threats. They are used in car washes, as garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers - and in 90% of personal-care products that foam.

DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (triethanolamine)

Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH, and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

Nitrosating Agents:

* 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
* Cocoyl Sarcosine
* DEA compounds
* Imidazolidinyl Urea
* Formaldehyde
* Hydrolysed Animal Protein
* Lauryl Sarcosine
* MEA compounds
* Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, etc
* Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
* Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
* Sodium Laureth Sulfate
* Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
* Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
* TEA compounds

The following chemicals can cause nitrosamine contamination, which have been determined to form cancer in laboratory animals. There are wide and repeated concerns in the USA and Europe about the contamination of cosmetics products with nitrosamines.

Fragrance

Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to four thousand separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic. Symptoms reported to the USA FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Clinical observation proves fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, and irritability.

Mineral Oil

* Mineral oil
* Liquidum paraffinum (also known as posh mineral oil!)
* Paraffin oil
* Paraffin wax
* Petrolatum

Petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. Used in many products (baby oil is 100% mineral oil!) Any mineral oil derivative can be contaminated with cancer causing PAH's (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons). Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap.

Paraben preservatives (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl)

Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Highly toxic.

Phthalates

Toxic gender bending chemical used as a plasticizer in food wraps and many pliable plastics and containers. Also used in hairsprays and some cosmetics including nail varnishes from where it is readily absorbed into the system. All 289 people in a recent test for body load of chemicals tested positive for phthalates. Phthalates are implicated with low sperm counts and also causing sexual abnormalities and deformities.

Silicone derived emollients:

* Dimethicone
* Dimethicone Copolyol
* Cyclomethicone

Silicone emollients are occlusive - that is they coat the skin, trapping anything beneath it, and do not allow the skin to breathe (much like plastic wrap would do.). Some synthetic emollients are known tumour promoters and accumulate in the liver and lymph nodes.

Talc

Several studies have established preliminary links between talc and pulmonary issues, lung cancer, skin cancer and ovarian cancer. Scientists have been aware of the toxicity of talc since the late 1960s, and in 1971 researchers found particles of talc embedded in 75 percent of the ovarian tumors studied.

No one says we're immune to allergic reactions just because they're organic...that would still depend on anyone's sensitivity. But the thing is, if we get to try them and they work for us, not only will they give us unmasked results, they also help us save the world!

...my Human Heart Nature mini haul!

According to Human Heart Nature, "In simple terms, organic products are those whose ingredients are processed with absolutely NO synthetic chemicals." And that includes soil is void of synthetic fertilizer, plants not showered with growth and quality enhancers and extraction of beneficial properties doesn't entail any chemical procedure. Any product could be natural as long as it has natural ingredients, but not all of them are organic.

chemical ingredients information taken from:

www.hallgold.com/toxic-chemical-ingredients-directory.htm
www.hazard.com/msds
www.health-report.co.uk

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