The Environmental Working Group (EWG) as many of you know, is one of my favorite websites. They say “American families, especially those with young children need to know the chemicals they’re exposed to when they wash their hair, cleanse their skin and fill their tubs with bubble bath. Did you know federal laws have not changed since 1938 on personal care products? The FDA doesn’t even require manufacturers to prove personal care products are safe before putting them on store shelves.
Children’s products – Look for an ingredient such as BHA, Triclosan, 2 Bromo 2 nitropropane-1,3 Diol, Oxybenzone, DMDM Hydantoin and stay away from according to the EWG. Toxic chemicals should be avoided and more recently, 1,4 dioxide from all personal care products because it is a likely human carcinogen.
Fragrance-free – Diethyl phthalate is a toxic chemical found in fragrance, so stay away from those.
Know what you are purchasing – Read the ingredients that are in your personal care products before purchasing.
Decrease products – On average a woman uses 12 personal care products daily and exposing herself to over 168 ingredients. By decreasing then you are sure to have less chemicals in your body.
Government – The FDA DOES NOT test ingredients for safety or approve products before they are sold. Even if they state “green”, “natural”, “gentle” or “safe”, BUYER BEWARE. Read your labels and know which chemicals are bad.
Anti-Bacterial soap – There is no scientific proof that anti-bacterial soap is any better than regular soap and water. As a matter a fact, some contain Triclosan or triclocarban, which are toxic chemicals.
Hair – Watch out for chemical straighteners and dark permanent hair dyes and the chemicals in them.
Teens – Talk with your teens about harsh chemicals and how they can disrupt hormone disruption.
Nails – Avoid Formaldehyde, Formalin, Toluene and Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in polish, hardeners or other nail products.
Skin moisturizer – Avoid Retinyl palmitate, Retinyl acetate, retinoic acid and retinol in daytime products.
Lips – Avoid Retinyl palmitate, Retinyl acetate, retinoic acid and retinol in daytime products.
Toothpaste – Avoid Triclosan
Babies – Please avoid these ingredients Bronopol, DMDM hydantoin, Fragrance, BHA and Boric acid some are found in baby wipes and some are found in diaper cream.