Have you ever looked at the ingredients listed on your bar of soap or body wash before? If your answer is no than you definitely should. Most standard soaps have a long list of chemicals that have been shown to disrupt our natural hormone functions. Soap or anything for that matter that contains pthalates, parabens, triclosan and fragrances should be avoided.
Pthalates and parabens, also known as endocrine disruptors, have been shown to absorb into the skin and either stimulate or slow down the normal production of estrogen. More specifically pthalates, a plasticizer found in numerous cosmetics and in most plastic containers, has been linked to breast cancer. A recent study showed individuals with higher urinary levels of pthalates, meaning more exposures, had a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Another research study showed that parabens could also be linked to cancer as they were found in extremely low concentrations in the breast cancer tumors. If you are dealing with PMS, uterine fibroids, breast cancer, infertility or any other hormonally imbalanced condition you want to avoid these chemicals at all cost. Men and children are vulnerable as well as pregnant women. These endocrine disruptors can affect an unborn child as mom’s exposures can transfer to the fetus and negatively impact normal development.
Triclosan is an anti-bacterial chemical that can be toxic to the liver as well as disrupt thyroid function. Whereas, fragrances have been shown to be carcinogenic and cause symptoms like asthma, wheezing, headaches and contact dermatitis.
Below is a review of some of the soaps that I have tried that are effective without the exposure of unnecessary chemicals. Please check out www.ewg.org/skindeep to learn what chemicals may be in your current soaps as well as a long list of safe soaps for your body and face.
Safe Soap Options
Dr. Bronner’s liquid and bar soap are wonderful. They are made with all natural ingredients and have no synthetic fragrances. They can be purchased at most grocery stores in their organic or natural health sections.
Vermont Soap Organics makes several soaps that are great. I have tried: Butter Bar, Oats N’ Aloe Bar, Baby unscented body wash/shampoo and unscented foam hand soap. The baby shampoo works great for my little one and crates a nice lather and there is no over powering fragrance. I was pleased and pleasantly surprised with all of the soaps I tried. I purchased them online at www.vermontsoap.com.
MyChelle Dermaceuticals is another great company when it comes to face washes and moisturizers. I am currently using their Fruit Enzyme Cleanser and Scrub as well as their Ultra Hyaluronic Face Serum and really like it. You can find the MyChelle products at Whole Foods and Sprouts or online at www.MyChelle.com.
To read more about the dangers of pthalates and other chemicals to avoid in beauty products check out our Environmental Detox tab found on our home page of our website www.EastValleyND.com and read the article titled Are Your Personal Care Products Toxic?
