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TOXIC
BEAUTY
Is there a connection
between the serious health problems we face today and the toxic chemicals
in our shampoos, skin care, makeup, toothpaste, deodorants, hair dye,
household cleaners, dishwashing, and laundry, products?
Our skin is
by far the largest organ and the cosmetic and personal care industry is
doing it great harm, using a number of common ingredients that are (or can
be) cancer-causing agents (or just plain dangerous). Because the skin is
permeable, such ingredients harm not only the skin itself, but can
penetrate into the body, causing internal damage as well.
"Every day we use products that we think are safe - we assume
the product has been tested and any dangerous ingredients labeled. The
truth is, products are not always safe". A GAO
(Government Accounting Office) document says that "....a cosmetic
manufacturer may use an ingredient or raw material and market the final
product without government approval."
A
manufacture can use any ingredient approved by the FDA. But …even though
a ingredient is approved its use in cosmetics may not be the best use. SLS
(Sodium Laurel Sulfate) is one of the best examples. Here is what several
experts including the FDA have to say about it.
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SLS can damage the
immune system; causing separation of skin layers and inflammation of
skin.
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-Journal
of the American College of Toxicology; Vol. 2, No. 7, 1983
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SLS penetrates into
the skin and into the eyes, and is also held in the brain, heart and
liver. A single drop stays in the brain and body for a few days -
Doctor's worry: Is your baby safe?
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-By
David L. Kern, New health and longevity
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SLS is a mutagen. It
is capable of changing the information in genetic material found in
cells. SLS has been used in studies to induce mutagen in bacteria.
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-Higuchi,
Araya and Higuchi, school of medicine, Tohoku University: Sendai 980
Japan
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SLS is a potent
carcinogen when contaminated with a nitrosamines.
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-FDA Report 1978
DID
YOU KNOW THAT ALMOST ALL SHAMPOOS HAVE SLS AS THE MAIN INGREDIENT
AND…..THAT INCLUDES BABY SHAMPOO, BODY WASH, BUBBLE BATH, AND
TOOTHPASTE.
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During
our daily personal care regimen, most of us have exposed ourselves to more
than 200 different chemicals, and often the same dangerous chemical in
multiple products. A recent surge of media attention reveals new concerns
about detrimental ingredients that are affecting our physical health. An
article in USA Weekend says: "The EPA is increasing research on
dozens of synthetic chemicals (pesticides, plastics, and industrial
pollutants) that may be juggling your hormone signals. After reviewing
nearly 300 studies, the EPA concluded that ingredients in shampoos, dyes,
and other everyday products may be playing havoc with hormones that
control reproduction...".
READ
MORE
Consumers must be educated
and aware that there are hundreds of toxic chemicals used in personal and
skin care products; we have chosen some of the worst offenders to describe
below. If you learn about even these few and start reading ingredient
labels, you can avoid some of the most serious carcinogens and
hormone-disrupting chemicals. Please take action now for the health and
well being of your family. More government regulation is not the answer.
If they regulate the cosmetic industry it will put small business that are
producing really good healthy alternative products out of business.
Education is the answer! The FDA has imposed labeling regulations and if
we do our homework we can regulate the industry by our buying habits.
Everything the government tries to regulate seems to get worse. Take a little responsibility and run your own life instead of
hoping that the government does it for you.
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