Many body care products today label themselves as “natural” or “gentle” but with no required safety testing, companies are free to use almost any chemical they want, without regard to risks to your health or the environment. Even though all personal care products on the market must list their ingredients on the label, it can be confusing to wade through all the chemical names. Here are some tips for reading product labels to help you wade through the chemical names. You can approach ingredient lists in 3 parts:
The end of the list of ingredients are the preservatives. Try to avoid products containing:
Words ending in “paraben”
DMDM hydantoin
Imidsazolidinyl urea
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinone
Triclosan
Triclocarban
Triethanolamine (or “TEA”)
The beginning of the list of ingredients contains the soap, surfactant, or lubricant added to make the product “work”. Try to avoid ingredients that start with “PEG” or have an “-eth” in the middle (for example: sodium laureth sulfate).
The middle of the list of ingredients non essential additives such as fragrances or dyes. Look for such things as “fragrance”, “FD&C” or “D&C”. Many of these are common but may bring excess hazard. Since they are not essential avoid as much as possible. Here you’ll look for some common – but not essential - additives that may bring excess hazard: fragrance and dyes. On the label look for “FRAGRANCE,” “FD&C,” or “D&C.”
Extra caution should be used when shopping for children because they receive greater exposures by weight than adults to contaminants in air, water, food, and everyday products. In addition, their immature metabolism and organ systems are typically less capable of fending off chemical assaults. Subtle damage to developing bodies that does not trigger immediate health effects may lead to disease later in life. Use fewer “products” on your children and try to use them less often. Some specific chemicals to avoid for children are:
2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3 Diol
BHA
Boric acid and sodium borate
Dibutyl phthalate & toluene
DMDM Hydantoin
Oxybenzone
Triclosan
Remember the less toxins you put on your skin the healthier you will be and your well thought out purchases send a message to companies who continue to make products that are harmful to us and the environment, as well as to the FDA.
Past Tips for Healthy Living
Choosing Body Care Products
Choose Body Care Products Carefully
Safer choices do exist including stainless steel bottles for water and other liquids. These bottles can be reused repeatedly and eventually recycled. As a reminder of our commitment to the environment and your health, Home-Simply Yoga has commissioned special stainless steel bottles with our logo. They can be purchased in the studio or through our on line boutique. Join as as a Warrior for the Planet by using one to carry your water.
Plastic Water Bottle Could be Killing You!
Don’t Use Plastic Water Bottles