There are already numerous articles written on the hazards of 
chemicals in personal care products. Even Senator Edward Kennedy 
has written several letters to Congress regarding the health 
risks associated with using cosmetics that contain cancer-causing 
ingredients.

Personal care products that have been taught to be beneficial 
to you may be the very ones that may contain chemicals that is 
posing a serious threat to you and your family's health.

Believe it. Personal care products like soap, shampoo, lotion, 
toothpaste, and make-up usually contain cheap, synthetic 
chemicals and ingredients that are suspiciously harmful. . There 
are in fact more than 125 ingredients used on the skin suspected 
of causing cancer. 20 cause adverse nervous system reactions. And 
25 are connected to birth defects. What you put on your skin 
penetrates and can enter your body.

Here are some things that the labels do not tell you about 
personal care products.

Fragrances.  Just because it smells good doesn't mean it is. 
Oftentimes, the first things a consumer does when trying a 
personal care product is to smell it. If the product smells 
good the consumer is much more likely to want the product.

Oftentimes also, the label on the product gives the illusion that 
the scent is natural. A picture used in the product will lead to 
the conclusion that it must have come from that source.

More often than not, this is simply not the case. Most fragrances 
are of synthetic origin. Fragrance on a label can indicate the 
presence of up to four thousand separate ingredients; many 
are toxic chemicals that cause or contribute to cancer. 
Manufacturers are not required to disclose the individual 
ingredients as they are considered trade secrets of their 
personal care products.

Reported symptoms are headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, 
skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin 
irritation. Clinical observation shows that the chemicals on 
the fragrances of these beauty products can affect the central 
nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, 
inability to cope, and other behavioral changes.

It is therefore understandable why some countries have declared 
many scented products to be hazardous to public health. And have 
even gone to the extreme of banning the wearing of all cosmetic 
fragrances in most indoor public places.

Color Pigments. As with smell, looks can also be deceiving. Just 
because it looks pretty doesn't mean it is.

Color pigments are used to make the product look attractive. It 
does not really serve any  beneficial purpose for any part of the 
body. Color pigments found in personal care products are made 
from synthetic and chemical ingredients such as coal tar. They 
also contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins onto the skin, 
causing skin sensitivity and irritation.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). You 
will find these ingredients in almost all cleansers that foam. 
These chemicals are even used in car washes, garage floor 
cleaners and engine degreasers.

Research indicates that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate causes inflammation 
of the skin and can weaken the immune system. Young eyes will 
not develop properly if exposed to SLS because proteins are 
dissolved. Be alert about these chemicals especially on baby 
shampoos.

Triclosan. The EPA registers Triclosan as a pesticide and is 
classified as a chlorophenol, a class of chemicals suspected of 
causing cancer in humans. Triclosan is so toxic it is measured 
in parts per trillion. These chemicals are the same ones used on 
personal care products as they are known for their antibacterial 
ingredient. Most often found in soaps and toothpastes.

How to show how harmful these chemicals are; one drop of 
Triclosan in 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools can cause hormonal 
disruption. 

Mineral Oil. A petroleum by-product that coats the skin like 
plastic and clogs the pores. It interferes with the skin's 
ability to eliminate toxins thus promoting acne and other 
disorders. It slows down skin function and cell development.

Where can you find mineral oil in its largest portion? Baby Oil. 
Note that Baby Oil is 100% mineral oil.

Contrary to what people believe, it is possible to create 
personal care products without the use of any harmful chemicals. 
The answers and solutions are found in nature. All it takes is 
study, research and a sincere desire to meet the health needs 
of consumers equally with profit needs.

Consider very carefully the health risks associated with exposing 
yourself to harmful chemicals and make it your resolve to no 
longer buy questionable personal care products from companies 
that have little regard for your health. 

Dee Cohen is a social worker and yoga teacher. She incorporates 
chemical free products into her practice to enhance her clients' 
health. http://www.mangolife.com/miracle2webpage2.html
Chemical Free Products