Many personal care products are dangerous
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We all know, or at least we think we know, about most of the things that are harmful to our bodies. Alcohol, tobacco, not exercising, junk food, too much caffeine and soft drinks, too much sugar and many others that we deal with daily. But what about the personal care products that we use daily like shampoo, creams, and lotions? This is not something that I thought about at all. Can these products be harmful to my body?
My eyes opened when my better half, Lemvia, started to research this years ago and educated me about the bad stuff I use on my body daily. It shocked me, to say the least. Many of the mass-produced everyday hair and body care products contain chemicals that are not just harmful to us, but downright dangerous. I could list at least 50 of them but will stick to just a few in this article. Some of these dangerous chemicals are:
Parabens
Parabens, a widely used and harmful additive, are present in many hair and body care products. They serve as “volume fillers” to increase the filling volume of products and as preservatives to extend the shelf. These additives, also known as xenoestrogens, can disrupt your natural hormone balance, lead to skin irritation, affect reproductive health, cause neurotoxicity and have even been discovered in breast cancer tumours.
Sulfates
Manufacturers often use sulfates in hair care products and in some body care products. These chemical detergents create the foamy lather when you massage shampoo into your hair, for example.
Unfortunately, once rinsed, sulfates can strip away the natural oils, moisturizers, and color from your hair and scalp, resulting in dryness, flaking, and irritation. What’s more concerning is that sulfates have the potential to form carcinogens, which can ultimately lead to kidney damage and hormone disruption.
Triclosan
Triclosan, an antibacterial agent, was used in antibacterial soaps but has since been banned due to its potential harm. However, it is still used by some manufacturers in other personal care products like shampoos, deodorants, and toothpaste. This ingredient disrupts the endocrine system, which can lead to various health issues such as infertility, fetal harm, and even cancer.
Synthetic fragrances
Synthetic fragrances can be quite problematic for your health. They are often made from a mixture of chemicals, including phthalates, which can be potentially harmful. This is especially concerning for those with sensitive skin or allergies, as these fragrances can cause itching, redness, and flaking. Manufacturers often use the label “Fragrance” to hide some of the harmful ingredients in products.
Lemvia’s research led to her developing a range of 100% Natural Hair and Body Care products that are not harmful to our bodies and contain no dangerous chemicals. Next time you wash your hair or put lotion on your body, perhaps you should think a bit about the chemicals it contains.
Gerhard Strydom
