Is Your Shampoo Poisoning You?

Most personal care products contain a long list of harsh chemicals that can be far from safe for you and your family. Have you ever wondered what all those long words are in your shampoo? The ones that you cannot even pronounce. Have a look at your shampoo bottle and you will most likely find Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate or Propylene Glycol.

SLS is commonly found in industrial strength detergents and is used as a surfactant to break down the surface tension of water. Some of the other uses for SLS is in concrete floors cleaners, engine degreasers and car wash detergents – just to name a few.

So, why does this matter if the chemicals are not going in your mouth? Because anything that you put onto your skin topically will pass through the pores in your skin and then enter your bloodstream. Here are just a few reasons why these chemicals should not enter your body.

The Journal of the American College of Toxicology stated the following: “SLS is used in clinical studies to irritate skin tissue; SLS corrodes hair follicles and impairs ability to grow hair.”

“SLS enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain from skin contact (Shampoo?); SLS denatures protein, impairs proper structural formation of young eyes – permanent damage; SLS can damage the immune system, cause sparation of the skin layers and cause inflammation to the skin.”

Propylene Glycol is another chemical that is used in brake fluid, anti-freeze, laundry detergents, paints, coatings and floor wax. Propylene Glycol is used as a Humectant. A Humectant is a substance that helps retain moisture content. This is the reason why it is used in skin care and cosmetics. It makes the product feel soft and smooth on your skin and keeps the products from drying out.

The Material Safety Data Sheet for Propylene Glycol states that, with contact, “…it can cause dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities”. It can inhibit skin cell growth in human tests and can damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin and surface damage.

These and many other chemicals are used in personal care products because they are cheap and externally effective. But where is the long term proof that they are truely safe?

Consider this: fifty years ago the world was not exposed to as many chemicals as today. Fifty years ago, the cancer rate was also not as high as it is today.

But there are alternatives which are free from these harsh chemicals. and don't cost the earth. Emed stocks a great range of organic skin, body, hair and home care products.

Brands such as The Purist Company’s Al’chemy and A’kin, and Avalon Organics lines are certified organic, and contain no artificial chemicals or SLS.

We stock many items including shampoo, conditioner, skin care, and even lip balms that we completely trust and use ourselves.

Also, use natural cleaning products in your home. Chemicals don’t just have to be applied to skin to be dangerous.

“B_E_E“have a large range of house-cleaning products that are 100% natural,and will leave your home as clean as regular cleaning products.