Personal Care & Hygiene - Organic Ingredients?

Look at your toothpaste, deodorant, moisturizer or makeup and look at list of ingredients. Here is a typical hand lotion advertised as containing natural herb extracts:

Doesn't sound very natural or organic, does it? Yet that's exactly how it is advertised. Many of these chemicals are toxic including strong acids, carcinogens and chemicals which coat the skin like plastics preventing it from breathing. The plant extracts are often present in tiny amounts.

Products which are certified organic have to be made up of 100% natural organic ingredients with no chemicals. These include natural plant extracts and active ingredients, fragrance etc of the cosmetic product.

Your skin is your body's largest organ and any chemicals you put on it are absorbed into your body. So don't put anything onto your skin you wouldn't eat.

Some common names to look out for on ingredient list include:

Propylene Gylcol

An emulsifying agent obtained from petrochemicals that are used to make the skin look smooth. Causes irritation and contact dermatitis as well as speeding up aging of the skin.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

This chemical has many uses as a surfactant, emulsifier and degreaser and is common in a wide range of products. It is a detergent which particularly affects the eyes and delays healing time. It is absorbed by the skin and builds up in the organs. When combined with nitrogen it creates carcinogenic nitrates that irritate the skin and eyes.

Fragrance

Artificial fragrance can cause irritation to skin and lungs causing breathing difficulties as well as headaches and dizziness.

Mineral oil

Again made from petroleum products this oil blocks pores preventing the skin from working normally and restricts movement of nutrients and waste products from cells.

Parabens (Propyl, Methyl, Butyl, or Ethyl)

Used as preservatives all are highly toxic and cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Imidazolidinyl and Diazolidinyl Urea

Again known to cause skin irritation and dermatitis.

Synthetic colors

Again cause allergic reaction when placed on the skin.

Triethanolamine (TEA)

Causes dryness in skin and hair as well as a variety of allergic reactions and eye problems, it is used to control the products pH.

But there are alternatives. It's amazing how completely natural ingredients can act as beauty products. Here are just a few:

• Yoghurt, honey and oatmeal make a surprisingly good facial scrub.
• Camomile enhances blond highlights, honey and tea tree oil are good antiseptics and can be used for eliminating spots.
• Hemp oil is a great moisturizer.
• Organic sun screens are made from natural oils such a coconut or hemp, with a variety of other plant extracts, but offer only a low level of protection so aren't suitable for those with light skin who require a high factor sunscreen. Benefits include the fact that they are often good moisturisers and don't interfere with the skins production of vitamin D.
• Essential oils make great bath oils and perfumes.

Products which can be produced from plant extracts, vitamins and minerals encompass the entire range of cosmetic and beauty products from soap to shampoo and toothpaste.