TODAY’S GREEN MANTRA“I will not use soaps with synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulfates, or triclosan, which cause me, my children, the earth, and her inhabitants horrid health harms” – YOU
One of the ways our bodies acquire
nutrients (apart from eating) is through our skin. 60% of the substances we put on our skin are eventually absorbed into our bloodstream, which is one of many reasons we must
be careful what we wear (there are toxic dyes in clothing), and what we wash
with as cancers, allergies and reproductive issues are the side effects to
ignoring these health harms and purchasing products that are poorly produced.
To top it all off, after we toxify ourselves in the shower, all the junk I’m about to list ends up in our waterways, infiltrating our wildlife and causing THEM health issues as well …
nutrients (apart from eating) is through our skin. 60% of the substances we put on our skin are eventually absorbed into our bloodstream, which is one of many reasons we must
be careful what we wear (there are toxic dyes in clothing), and what we wash
with as cancers, allergies and reproductive issues are the side effects to
ignoring these health harms and purchasing products that are poorly produced.
To top it all off, after we toxify ourselves in the shower, all the junk I’m about to list ends up in our waterways, infiltrating our wildlife and causing THEM health issues as well …
– The Problem –
Most of the
fragrances found in soaps are made with synthetic, potentially cancer-causing toxins. Soap
companies put PHTHALATES in their products to make the fragrance last
longer, which is the stupidest reason for doing anything, but hey ho, that’s how we go. These magnificent fragrances can trigger allergies, migraines and cause asthma symptoms in adults
and children. The dinkiest part of this is that all the fragrances we need exist in nature already in a non toxic format, so it’s really just a case of laziness and greediness that these harmful ingredients exist.
fragrances found in soaps are made with synthetic, potentially cancer-causing toxins. Soap
companies put PHTHALATES in their products to make the fragrance last
longer, which is the stupidest reason for doing anything, but hey ho, that’s how we go. These magnificent fragrances can trigger allergies, migraines and cause asthma symptoms in adults
and children. The dinkiest part of this is that all the fragrances we need exist in nature already in a non toxic format, so it’s really just a case of laziness and greediness that these harmful ingredients exist.
[PARABENS]
Parabens are estrogen
mimickers and thus, when these sinister creatures make there way into our bloodstream via our skin, our body will react negatively to the spike in what it is reading as estrogen by decreasing muscle mass,
increasing fat deposits, causing early onset puberty, and creating reproductive
difficulties in both men and women.
mimickers and thus, when these sinister creatures make there way into our bloodstream via our skin, our body will react negatively to the spike in what it is reading as estrogen by decreasing muscle mass,
increasing fat deposits, causing early onset puberty, and creating reproductive
difficulties in both men and women.
[SULFATES]
The lather
we see in our soaps is created by SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES
(sodium laureth sulfate), two chemicals which strip your skin of natural oils. This, quite obviously, is bad for us, as we
need our oils for protection and lubrication. SLS is another estrogen mimicker, so as explained above with parabens, it linked to numerous health implications including a drop in male fertility and an increase in female cancers.
The lather
we see in our soaps is created by SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES
(sodium laureth sulfate), two chemicals which strip your skin of natural oils. This, quite obviously, is bad for us, as we
need our oils for protection and lubrication. SLS is another estrogen mimicker, so as explained above with parabens, it linked to numerous health implications including a drop in male fertility and an increase in female cancers.
[TRICLOSAN] You’ll find this worst guy in antibacterial soap. Which
is less a than ideal place for it as it creates bacteria RESISTANT to antibiotic cleansers. Yet another ass backwards technique. It also creates dioxin (that toxic component
of Agent Orange) which negatively affects thyroid functions and disrupts
endocrine production, promoting cancers, causing learning disabilities, and even
infertility.
is less a than ideal place for it as it creates bacteria RESISTANT to antibiotic cleansers. Yet another ass backwards technique. It also creates dioxin (that toxic component
of Agent Orange) which negatively affects thyroid functions and disrupts
endocrine production, promoting cancers, causing learning disabilities, and even
infertility.
– – The
Solution –
Much
like the story on the microbead issues, there is no reason for us to have these
ingredients in our products. Nature provides all we need. There are hundreds, likely thousands, of soap
brands which make soaps that are perfectly safe to use for yourself and your children and free
of harmful chemicals.
like the story on the microbead issues, there is no reason for us to have these
ingredients in our products. Nature provides all we need. There are hundreds, likely thousands, of soap
brands which make soaps that are perfectly safe to use for yourself and your children and free
of harmful chemicals.
Here
are a few of the brands we use in my home, as well as some picks for little ones around the world:
are a few of the brands we use in my home, as well as some picks for little ones around the world:
Eco
friendly, ethically sourced and fair trade, this soap is biodegradable, not
tested on animals, GMO free, organic, vegan, delicious smelling, affordable,
can be used for any purpose AND the liquid version is refillable. They sell around the world so just search online for a retailer near you. Peppermint is our favourite of all! You’ll find their website HERE.
friendly, ethically sourced and fair trade, this soap is biodegradable, not
tested on animals, GMO free, organic, vegan, delicious smelling, affordable,
can be used for any purpose AND the liquid version is refillable. They sell around the world so just search online for a retailer near you. Peppermint is our favourite of all! You’ll find their website HERE.
Roots (pictured above), is a Portland based company, who makes eco artisans soaps. My sister-in-law sent us some for Christmas
and I’m a huge huge fan! Their Wood & Smoke soap is like bathing in a
campfire … might not sound appealing to you, but to me it is heaven.
Unfortunately, and I’m not sure why, they’re closing down, but you can take
advantage of their closing sale and buy in bulk if you’re nearby. You’ll find them on etsy HERE.
and I’m a huge huge fan! Their Wood & Smoke soap is like bathing in a
campfire … might not sound appealing to you, but to me it is heaven.
Unfortunately, and I’m not sure why, they’re closing down, but you can take
advantage of their closing sale and buy in bulk if you’re nearby. You’ll find them on etsy HERE.
It is better to buy as near to you as you can, the easiest online way I know if is to have a look on ETSY, you can search companies near you by putting “eco, organic, natural soaps” in the search box – then choosing your
custom location in the bottom left hand side of the page. You can also find
artisans near you in your local market or bio store. Make sure you read the ingredients list just to be sure!
custom location in the bottom left hand side of the page. You can also find
artisans near you in your local market or bio store. Make sure you read the ingredients list just to be sure!
BABIES
& CHILDREN
Do You Know A Good Soap Brand?
Comment with a link below and I’ll add it to the suggestions list!
 |
| you want soap so green you can guiltlessly shower in a Texan flash flood! |
Sources: CDC, Breast Cancer Fund 1, and 2, Natural Health, The Washington Post, Agent Orange Record
Photos: Shane Woodward
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