What ingredients are No-No's??

[EmmaJean]

Ok, I need help understanding what "natural" means for body care products. What ingredients do I look for that are really bad? I know anything petroleum, and I understand why....mostly....but what else? Everything is in a different language, and I've never been educated on the topic, besides the pet. stuff. I know there's a whole continuum of what people consider natural vs. not, but what are some basics? Good websites for basic info? Sorry if this is a very repetitive question. I'm sure people post questions like this all the time, I just don't have the time to search right now!!

TIA!!! LOVE my MDC momma-friends!!! You're always there when I need you!

[RidentMama]

Sodium Lauryl/Lauraleth Sulfates are a bad one. Alum-anything is bad, especially if it goes directly on your skin (look at anti-perspirants for that one especially).

Gotta go, baby's crying.

[Rainbow Brite]

:
You are ahead of me, what is bad about petroleum (is that vaseline?), and what are parabeams?

[AngelBee]

This one is hard for me too. A lot of natural products are bad because they contain sls or whatever. It is soooooooooooooo confusing!

[kaydee]

This is a useful site:

Skin Deep: A safety assessment of ingredients in personal care products:
http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/

[LaffNowCryLater]

Originally Posted by Hbbg

:
You are ahead of me, what is bad about petroleum (is that vaseline?), and what are parabeams?

Petroleum is not good and parabens are preservatives that has been linked to breast cancer.

[RidentMama]

kaydeesac: Thanks so much for the link! Wow!!! I knew that most of the ingredients in mainstream products were bad...just didn't know how bad until now! Thanks for the eye-opening!

[Simply Nurtured]

Also, propylene glycol or ethylene glycol. (antifreeze)

[girlndocs]

Hbbg: Petroleum-based products are all made in some way from crude oil. Petroleum jelly (vaseline) is one petroleum derivative, but only one of hundreds (thousands?). Petroleum is used to make detergents, plastics, artificial fragrances ("perfume oils"), stabilizers I think, synthetic fabrics, and also artificial flavors, preservatives & fertilizers. I'm probably leaving some things out as well The extent to which our society relies on various petroleum products now is boggling.

I try to avoid petroleum-based ingredients for several reasons. First, I'm not convinced that they're good for us (see the threads on toxic plastic) especially when they're in something that comes in direct, repeated contact with my skin. I keep in mind that petroleum derivatives are enormous business for all the industries that use them in myriad applications, so I don't have much confidence in getting unbiased studies about their safety.

Second, I don't want to rely on the petroleum industry any more than I have to. A green-powered car isn't in the picture for us right now, but I try very hard to cut back on gas & the other petroleum products our family consumes. One of the reasons I like to use homemade no-poo recipes is that even the most natural storebought product would require me to buy something in plastic bottles regularly. (I get my acv in bulk at my health food store, so I can use the same plastic bottle over & over again, or I can use a glass Mason jar, a Ming porcelain vase, a clay amphora -- whatever floats my boat :LOL)

Third, I don't think petroleum-based products are good for my skin & hair. Petroleum-based detergents are really harsh, and mineral oil is really coating & suffocating (plus with mineral oil we're back to reason #1). I've been much happier with my skin and hair since I switched over to natural ingredients.

[JavaFinch]

Originally Posted by kaydeesac

This is a useful site:

Skin Deep: A safety assessment of ingredients in personal care products:
http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/

I was just looking on that site and they mentioned progesterone cream = very bad http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/...er.php#coaltar

Is this true? I just bought some and thought it may help me - is the "natural" progesterone cream different?

Please advise!! I hate all the conflicting info out there - you do things to be healthier only to find out you're actually killing yourself!

[Electra375]

I wasn't too thrilled with that website myself. It said that the seaweed extract in my toothpaste was cancer causing! Tom's of Maine antigingivitis

[kaydee]

Originally Posted by JDsMommy

I was just looking on that site and they mentioned progesterone cream = very bad http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/...er.php#coaltar

Is this true? I just bought some and thought it may help me - is the "natural" progesterone cream different?

Please advise!! I hate all the conflicting info out there - you do things to be healthier only to find out you're actually killing yourself!

One thing I like about the EWG site is that it provides links to more original data on the health hazards of the product. In the case of the progesterone, the page said:

Progesterone. Progesterone is a probable human carcinogen, linked in animal studies to tumors of the mammary gland and abnormal growth of reproductive tissues (NTP 2002, OEHHA 2004). It is produced naturally by all mammals and is an approved drug used for treatment of abnormal menstruation and other reproductive problems. It is also an ingredient in 23 cosmetic products in EWG's product database, including ten “menopause creams”, hair thinning serums, and two sunscreens. According to the National Toxicology Program’s review of progesterone, “FDA regulates progesterone under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&CA) as a prescription drug approved for human use. FDA has ruled that progesterone must carry a warning label for patients and physicians concerning use, risks, and contraindications. FDA also requires that no residues of progesterone be found in the uncooked edible tissues of lamb and steer” (NTP 2002). Given its status as a regulated drug, it is not clear why progesterone appears in non-prescription cosmetic products. On labels it is listed as both progesterone and lutein, a common synonym (ChemFinder 2004).

Listed on Packages As

USP Progesterone
Lutein
Progestiplex(TM) (A Proprietary Blend Of Progesterone and Copper Peptide)
Progesterone USP
Progesterone
Natural Progesterone USP


References

[OEHHA, 2004]: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHAA) (2004). State of California Environmental Protection Agency. Chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop6...41604list.html.

[NTP, 2002]: National Toxicology Program (2002). Report on Carcinogens, Tenth Edition; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program, December 2002. Available online at http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/roc/toc10.html.

This looks like it includes natural progesterone, but to learn more, I would look at the links in the references section.

Regarding Electra375's toothpaste: I have heard mixed reports about the ingredient in question, carageenan. But it sounds like there's not much strong evidence that it is a human carcinogen. The EWG detailed report says of carageenan:

Government & Industry Toxicity Category Explanation

Group 2B: The agent (mixture) is possibly carcinogenic to humans: The exposure circumstance entails exposures that are possibly carcinogenic to humans. This category is used for agents, mixtures and exposure circumstances for which there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and less than sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. It may also be used when there is inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans but there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. In some instances, an agent, mixture or exposure circumstance for which there is inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans but limited evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals together with supporting evidence from other relevant data may be placed in this group. [IARC, 2004]

References

[IARC, 2004]: International Agency for Research on Cancer (2004). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans and their Supplements: A complete list. Available online at http://monographs.iarc.fr/monoeval/allmonos.html.

Again, you'd probably need to go to the original source for detailed information. FWIW, carageenan is in TONS of products!

[JessicaS]

http://www.snopes.com/toxins/shampoo.htm

SLS isn't actually as dangerous as it is reputed to be. It is just not factual.

[littleteapot]

Originally Posted by abimommy

http://www.snopes.com/toxins/shampoo.htm

SLS isn't actually as dangerous as it is reputed to be. It is just not factual.

The thing about SLS is complicated.
By itself, no it's not a carcinogen and it's not going to cause cancer. The information snopes is quoting relates to SLS as a singular ingredient not as one of many. It also restates that there is a 'safe amount' to be used.
The thing is, SLS can react to other ingredients commonly found in things like shampoo and may form carcinogenic nitrates.

In its final report on the safety of sodium lauryl sulfate, the Journal of the American College of Toxicology notes that this ingredient has a "degenerative effect on the cell membranes because of its protein denaturing properties." What's more, the journal adds, "high levels of skin penetration may occur at even low use concentration."

Interestingly, sodium lauryl sulfate "is used around the world in clinical studies as a skin irritant," notes the journal. The publication expressed additional concerns:

* Carcinogenic nitrosamines can form in the manufacturing of sodium lauryl sulfate or by its inter-reaction with other nitrogen-bearing ingredients within a formulation utilizing this ingredient.
* Other studies have indicated that sodium lauryl sulfate enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain from skin contact. This poses the question whether it could be a serious potential health threat from its use in shampoos, cleansers, and toothpastes.
* Still other research has indicated sodium lauryl sulfate may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin. Skin layers may separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties.
* Although sodium lauryl sulfate is not carcinogenic in experimental studies, it has been shown that it causes severe epidermal changes in the area it is applied, indicating a need for tumor-enhancing assays.
* Additional studies have found that sodium lauryl sulfate is heavily deposited on the skin surface and in the hair follicles. Damage to the hair follicle could result from such deposition.

Although, it's really hard to find anything about SLS that isn't "OMGZ CANCER" or "It's perfectly safe! Our products have it and it's good for you, buy from us!". I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. It's probably not going to kill you, even a lot of it, but certainly it's not improving your health.

ETA: If anyone can find any good, reputable articles about the safety of mineral oil I'd really appreciate them. I mentioned something about it recently, and had someone who used to be a masseuse say that she disagrees and thinks it's wonderful for your skin and an amazing moisturizier, perfectly healthy, etc... I'd really like to give her some info but can't find a lot all in one place.