We all know that getting sunburnt is not a good idea and
that sunscreen is the way to prevent sunburn… but what
are those chemicals in commercial sunscreens? Latest
research has begun to discover some serious problems:

● Octyl-methoxycinnamate – produces free radicals
(singlet molecular oxygen) known to be toxic to cells (1)
● Titanium dioxide – causes DNA damage (the cells genetic
material) due to superoxide radicals, active oxygen
radicals & hydroxyl radicals when exposed to light (2) (3) (4)
● Oxybenzone – is rapidly oxidised in the presence of light
and inactivates important antioxidant systems in the skin
(the skin’s natural protection system) (5)
● PABA – produces free radicals in the presence of light (1)
● Cinoxate – causes DNA damage (sister chromatid
exchanges) (6)

Medical Research Papers
1) Chem Res Toxicol 1996 Apr-May; 9(3):605-9; 2) Mutat Res 2000 Mar 3; 466(1):1-7; 3) Free
Radic Biol Med 1999 Aug; 27 (3-4);294-300; 4) FEBS Lett 1997 Nov 24; 418(1-2):87-90; 5) J
Invest Dermatol, 1996 Mar 106(3):583-6; 6) Mutat Res 1989 Jun 21;2(2): 213 -21

Is there a alternative?
Yes its called Reflect Outdoor Balm
Reflect is a water-free nourishing balm with natural
minerals that help reflect damaging ultraviolet
radiation.

Micro-fine zinc oxide offers protection from
harmful UVB and UVA rays (not nano-zinc)

Organic olive oil keeps the skin supple.

SPF 15

Beta carotene to prevent skin damage caused by the elements

Vitamin E to protect the skin from premature aging

Potent antioxidants including vitamin E, beta carotene & polygonum extract, protect the skin from premature aging and prevent damage caused by the elements.

Use any time you are exposed to the sun.

Click here to order Reflect now
 
 
In April 2009, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.- USA), a mother and lawmaker, responded to the Campaign's "No More Toxic Tub" report by introducing the Safe Baby Products Act, which directs the Food and Drug Administration to investigate and regulate hazardous contaminants in personal care products for kids.

Sen. Gillibrand's bill is a good step forward. It would give parents the right to know what's in the bath products they use on their kids, and would give the FDA the authority to keep some dangerous chemicals out of children's bath products.

The next step: all-ages safety. We have our sights set on a total overhaul of cosmetics laws, which would allow the FDA to fully assess and ensure the safety of ingredients in all personal care products before they hit store shelves.

Source: The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Date: June 3, 2009
Web: www.safecosmetics.org

Do you know that conventional baby care products frequently contain the same harsh and toxic chemicals that are in personal items designed for adults. Such chemicals can include:

Surfactants are used to make things foam up e.g. bubble bath, soaps, shampoos, even toothpaste e.g.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers - and in 90% of products that foam.

Animals exposed to SLS and ALS experience eye damage, central nervous system depression, laboured breathing, diarrhoea, severe skin irritation, and even death.

Young eyes may not develop properly if exposed to SLS and ALS because proteins are dissolved. SLS and ALS may also damage the skin's immune system by causing layers to separate and inflame. It is frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics with the explanation "comes from coconut".

From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):
EYE CONTACT:INSTILLATION OF A 29% SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE SOLUTION INTO THE EYES OF SIX ALBINO RABBITS PRODUCED SEVERE IRRITATION. THE MATERIAL WAS CLASSIFIED AS A SEVERE SKIN IRRITANT.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES)

When combined with other chemicals, SLES and ALES can create nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens. It is frequently disguised in semi-natural cosmetics with the explanation "comes from coconut".

From Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):
WARNING! CAUSES SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION! AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES, SKIN AND CLOTHING. THE MATERIAL WAS CLASSIFIED AS A MODERATE TO SEVERE EYE IRRITANT.


Mineral Oil is a petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin's ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. Used in many products Any mineral oil derivative can be contaminated with cancer causing PAH's (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons).

Mineral oil is also known as
    * Liquidum paraffinum (also known as posh mineral oil!)
    * Paraffin oil
    * Paraffin wax
    * Petrolatum

Manufacturers use petrolatum/mineral oil because it is unbelievably cheap.
 
Baby oil is 100% mineral oil!

Source: ONEgroup toxic ingredient glossary

 
 

Green-wash (green’wash’, -wôsh’) verb:
The act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.

1: Sin of the Hidden Trade-off
A claim suggesting that a product is ‘green’ based on a narrow set of attributes without attention to other  important environmental issues. Paper, for example, is not necessarily environmentally preferable just because it comes from a sustainably harvested forest. Other important environmental issues in the paper-making process, such as greenhouse gas emissions, or chlorine use in bleaching may be equally important.
2: Sin of No Proof
An environmental claim that cannot be substantiated by easily accessible supporting information or by a reliable third-party
certification. Common examples are facial tissues or toilet tissue products that claim various percentages of post-consumer recycled content without providing evidence.
3: Sin of Vagueness
A claim that is so poorly defined or broad that its real meaning is likely to be misunderstood by the consumer. ‘All-natural’ is an example; Arsenic, uranium, mercury, and formaldehyde are all naturally occurring, and poisonous. ‘All natural’ isn’t necessarily ‘green’.
4: Sin of Worshipping False Labels
A product that, through either words or images, gives the impression of third-party endorsement where no such endorsement exists; fake labels, in other words.
5: Sin of Irrelevance
An environmental claim that may be truthful but is unimportant or unhelpful for consumers seeking environmentally preferable
products. ‘CFC-free’ is a common example, since it is a frequent claim despite the fact that CFCs are banned by law.
6: Lesser of Two Evils
A claim that may be true within the product category, but that risks distracting the consumer from the greater environmental impacts of the category as a whole. Organic cigarettes could be an example of this sin, as might the fuel-efficient sport-utility vehicle.
7: Sin of Fibbing
Environmental claims that are simply false. The most common examples were products falsely claiming to be Energy Star certified or registered.

Source:
http://sinsofgreenwashing.org/findings/the-seven-sins/#fibbing

For products without green washing click here

 
 

Did you know that you skin is your largest organ? Skin is capable of absorbing topically applied ingredients which can enter the bloodstream. There are also bits of your skin that absorb more than others, like the hairy bits with large hair follicles e.g. your under arms. Underarm deodorants have attracted a bad reputation for the aluminium salts present in them, which are the ingredients having antiperspirant action.

Conventional deodorants however, tend to contain one or more of the paraben group of chemicals which act as preservatives. Examples are methlyparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, benzylparaben and ethylparaben.

The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) states: Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Highly toxic.

The estrogen/breast cancer connection is well known with the greater exposure a woman has to estrogen in her lifetime, the greater risk of breast cancer. This raises concerns about chemicals such as parabens that behave like estrogen (estrogen mimicking chemicals are also called xenoestrogens)

These concerns include:

•      A report published in the Journal of the American College of Toxicology in 1984 estimated that parabens could be found in over 13,000 cosmetics products.

•    Parabens are just one type of xenoestrogen to which women are exposed. Consequently, another cause of concern is both the cumulative effect and the interaction of parabens with other xenoestrogens, and with the body’s own estrogens – all of which affect endocrine function.

•    A 2004 UK study detected traces of five parabens in the breast cancer tumours of 19 out of 20 women studied.  This small study does not prove a causal relationship between parabens and breast cancer, but it is important because it detected the presence of intact parabens -- unaltered by the body’s metabolism -- an indication of the chemicals’ ability to penetrate skin and remain in breast tissue.

source: The breast cancer fund chemical fact sheet (available on side bar)

What can you do to avoid parabens? Use deodorants and other personal acre items that don't contain parabens. You also want deodorants that don't contain aluminium. Miessence deodorants are bicarb soda based and scented with pure essential oils, they contain no synthetic chemicals at all and unlike many natural deodorants they really work.

Click here to find out more about Miessence deodorants

 
 

Thank you for reading my new organic skin blog!  Here I plan to post information and education about Miessence, skin care, toxic ingredient issues, certified organics and more related topics.

Feel free to leave comments and let me know if there is something you would like me to write about.

Warm regards, Kristine x