The Tree Hugger

You buy personal care products to look and feel good. However, did you know that your favorite shampoo, make-up or nail polish contains ingredients that may contribute to cancer development? Moreover, because of the popularity of the so-called “Green Revolution”, companies have learned to stamp their products with attractive words such as “natural” and “organic” even when they aren’t made of authentically natural and organic ingredients. The word “natural” only loans the name and face value, but not the principle and advocacy.

It’s very important to be educated about what we are putting on our body. Even when brands scream “natural and organic!” in their labels, you have to be discerning. You have to carefully read labels and understand, or at least, be familiar with the ingredients listed. Constant exposure to these chemicals in huge amounts is potentially fatal. Unless you purchase from genuine and trusted green brands, most likely you’re picking up products than do you more harm than good.

Lead: Do you know that most lipsticks contain lead? Lead is a neurotoxin that doesn’t have any exposure-safe levels. It’s not listed in the list of ingredients but it’s there. An independent test conducted by Campaign for Safe Cosmetics revealed that 61% of 33 brands tested contain lead. Whether it’s a drugstore or a luxury brand, lead is what they have in common.

Carmine: Carmine, also called natural red #4, is a bright red color pigment in powder form that comes from crushed insects. Yes, insects such as beetles and cochineals. Carmine is generally used as food dye to achieve a red color in candies, ice cream, yogurt and in personal care products, such as make-up.

Formaldehyde: This toxic industrial material and embalming agent is present in many everyday products. Some manufacturers put them in labels as Phenol Formaldehyde, Methylaldehyde, Methylene Oxide or Urea, so be very careful. The US Dept. of Health and Human Services have listed household products such as shampoos, body washes and even baby lotions. It’s also one of the main ingredients of nail polishes and hair straighteners.

Mineral Oil: Mineral oil is a petroleum byproduct in liquid form and used as moisturizer and emollient in most personal care products. The World Health Organization classifies untreated mineral oil as a human carcinogen but is considered safe for consumption by the FDA in controlled amounts.

SLS/SLES: Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or Sodium Laureth Sulphate is a surfactant that makes most household products produce suds. This foaming agent is an an eye and skin irritant.