HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

BEAUTY HOME

DANGER IN BEAUTY
Why your everyday grooming items can be dangerous.

NATURAL FACE LIFT
You don't need to go "extreme" to look great.

Environmental toxologists are raising awareness about the large number of hazardous chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products, many of which are known carcinogens. They are harmful to skin and hair, contribute to aging and actually add little or no value to the product itself.

No one knows the effects of the long-term accumulation of these chemicals in the body or how they affect each other. Five chemicals in everyday use are sodium-laurel-sulphate (SLS), diethanolamine (DEA), cocamide-DEA, ammonium and hydroxyanisole. They are common ingredients in shampoos, bubble baths, soaps, hair dyes, conditioners, cosmetics, moisturising cream, shaving foam and toothpaste. They are known to cause mouth ulcers, erode hair follicles, and accumulate in the heart, liver, lungs and brain where they have the potential to cause organ damage.

Carcinogens are not safe at any level and the cancer risk from some of these has been shown to increase when even small amounts are applied to the skin over an extended period of time. Many people are applying it daily.

What can you do? Alternatives do exist! Manufacturers list product ingredients in order of concentration so whatever is at the top of the list is the most abundant ingredient and so on down. Reading labels is always an eye opening experience. Choose safe alternatives. Organic products if they do contain these toxic chemicals will have them in lower concentrations.