Submitted by: Kim Authier Quinn

Todays consumer is smarter and more aware of toxins and chemicals than ever before. We check labels in the supermarket, wash produce to remove residual pesticides and embrace homeopathic and natural remedies for our ailments. But most people dont think twice about checking their toiletry bags for toxins. Shockingly, there are a whole host of chemicals lurking in the things we use on our body every day.

The average adult uses 9 personal products a day with more than 100 chemicals spread among them, many of them incompletely tested for toxicity. From toilet paper to toothpaste and moisturizer to makeup, these seemingly innocuous products are exposing you to hazardous toxins and for what good reason? You can still be clean and beautiful without all the chemicals.

Sunscreen

Its been pounded into your head that you need to wear sunscreen to protect your body from the damaging effects of the sun. Nobody wants to get skin cancer (never mind wrinkles) so we lather ourselves and our kids with sun block and head to the beach feeling confident were doing the right thing. Ironically, some sunblocks contain suspected carcinogens including including diethanolamine and related ingredients (DEA, TEA), padimate-o, and titanium dioxide. Another ingredient commonly found in sunscreen, oxybenzone, has been linked to allergies, hormone disruptions and cell damage.

The best solution for staying safe in the sun is good, old fashioned zinc oxide like lifeguards wear on their noses and a good hat and cover up. If you do wear sunscreen, look for ones that dont contain harmful chemicals.

Antiperspirant/Deodorant

Most of us wouldnt consider leaving the house in the morning without a one-two swipe of deodorant but you might be shocked to find out how many toxins youre putting under your arms and near your lymph glands each day. Chemicals to watch out for include parabens, aluminum, triclosan, propelyn glycol, and talc. Parabens are preservatives linked to breast cancer. Triclosan is thought to be a carcinogenic and propelyn glycol may cause kidney or liver damage. Talc is often contaminated with asbestos and aluminum may cause Alzheimers disease and other brain disorders as well as cancer.

Luckily there are natural alternatives out there without harsh chemicals as well as home remedies including baking soda and apple cider vinegar.

Toothpaste

For years decades dentists have recommended fluoride to help prevent cavities, but now theres a growing controversy over its safety. Theres a reason for the warning label not to swallow toothpaste; sodium fluoride is more toxic than lead! In fact, theres enough fluoride in an entire tube of toothpaste to kill a 25-lb toddler.

Try a tooth powder or a natural toothpaste without fluoride to keep teeth clean and breath fresh.

Makeup

For many women, their makeup bag is their tool kit. But the products we put directly on our faces are full of chemicals that have been proven to have health risks. Many cosmetics contain chemical preservatives called parabens to extend the shelf life of the product. Toxic metals can be found in everything from foundation, and blush to mascara and eye shadow. Lipsticks can be especially toxic and may contain lead as well as D4 and D5 siloxanes. Canada recently banned the chemicals which are linked to uterine tumors and other female reproductive problems.

Think mineral makeup is safer? Check labels for talc, bismuth oxychloride, parabens and synthetic dyes. Also an issue is titanium dioxide, which is the primary ingredient in most mineral brands. While the ingredient itself isnt harmful, if its in nano-sized or micronized particles, it has an effect similar to asbestos and could cause lung cancer if inhaled.

And thats just the beginning of the list of chemicals you put on your body each day. Dandruff shampoos may contain coal tar, a known human carcinogen, and even regular shampoo is likely to have sodium lauryl sulfate or its cousin sodium laureth sulfate added to increase lather. Both substances can cause severe skin irritations and hormone issues.

Even toilet paper can be hazardous to your health. Many common brands of tissue are bleached which creates dioxin, one of the most toxic, human made chemicals. Do you really need soft, white toilet paper or sudsy shampoo?

Nobodys more susceptible to the damaging effects of the environment than children. The number of kids suffering asthma has skyrocketed in the past few decades and scientists continue to look for environmental links to Autism and ADHD. And its not just kids getting sick, more adults suffer unexplainable immune disorders that many suspect have links to environmental factors.

Check the labels on your personal care products to see whats really in them. You may be surprised by what you find.

About the Author: For more information about toxic toiletries and how to find non-toxic alternatives along with resources on autism go to

foxinwithouttoxins.com

. Kim Authier Quinn is an author and mother of 3 children diagnosed with autism.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=477787&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet }