I’ve known about this for years, but if you
haven’t heard the horror stories, you should know more about what is in your
beauty products. It doesn’t matter if it
is some form of Paraben, Phthalates, or a Petro-Chemical, none of them are good
for our bodies. What most people don’t
realize is that 60% of what you put on your body, ends up in your body.
Let’s start with Parabens.
Whenever you can, avoid products that contain methylparaben,
propylparaben , n-propylparaben, or anything that has paraben in the name. According
to the BreastCancerFund.org, “Parabens are a group of compounds widely used as
antimicrobial preservatives in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics products,
including underarm deodorants. Parabens are absorbed through intact skin and from
the gastrointestinal tract… Measurable concentrations of six different parabens
have been identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors (Darbre, 2004).” Did you catch that? They said “through
intact skin”! Parabens have been found
in breast cancer tissue and your body absorbs it through intact skin. Many times it can be through deodorant but it
is in your body lotions too.
Phthalates are found in large group of common products that
include cosmetics, plastics, baby care
products, pharmaceuticals, cleaning materials,
etc. Phthalates are hormone disruptors
and a known carcinogen. One of the most
widely known ingredients to the nail industry is Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP). If you remember DBP is one of the ingredients
that have been removed in nail polishes that are considered “Three Free”
Petro-Chemicals are derived from petroleum. When you look at the ancient Greek etymology of
the word Petroleum, it means “rock oil”.
Petroleum products can generate 1,4-dioxane which is a known carcinogen
and can also cause harm to the kidneys, respiratory system and is a
neurotoxicant.
If you go back to the rule, “60% of what you put on your body, ends up in your body” and we all
know that our bodies process food and water. This, when placed on the skin can be processed
by the body, but non-food/non-water will be processed as a toxin. If your body can recognize it as a possible
food group, then your body will take what it needs and dispose of the rest as
it does naturally, anything else will be processed as a toxin. The best way I can recommend
a product is if you can recognize the ingredient by a common name, it is better
for you than if it is not. Weigh out the
ingredients to see how much sounds like a natural ingredient. Do your research
. And remember, 60 % of what you put in
your body, ends up in your body. If your
body can look at the ingredients like a food group, you are doing well!
For more information on breast cancer findings and
petroleum, check out these websites.
