Chemicals to watch out for in products

[Sherra]

It occurred to me after researching replacement products for what I use to make a list of bad ingredients so I knew what NOT to get but I was just too lazy to put it together. After looking over a website that someone suggested here on the bedding, I noticed this list:

http://www.lifekind.com/catalog/chemical_glossary.php


Anyone else have a list of bad chemicals that they like to use when critiquing a new product? It would make it more helpful to people if they wish to choose a more naturally made item. I know I've bought several "natural" products just to find out they have sls or parabens in them .

I love this site: http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/index.php but I don't think it has a list of bad ingredients to print out unless I completely missed it and it doesn't cover all products but it does cover a lot.

[paisley]

: This is exactly what I've been wanting to know too.

[Ruthla]

Why exactly is SLS (sodium laurel sulfate, right?) bad? Isn't it made from coconut oil?

[Sherra]

According to the chemical link up there:

Skin irritant. Reported as toxic in many studies. Has tendency to react with other ingredients to form carcinogenic nitrosamines. The FDA has stated that levels of dioxin formation in products containing sodium laureth sulfate are unacceptable. Studies have shown eye and systemic tissue (heart, liver, brain) penetration. Main ingredient in shampoo, baby shampoo, toothpaste.

it isn't just that link though, it's in some natural health books I've read. This is in a ton of things but it is entirely possible to get a product without it. I had to look hard for products without it. Companies that truly want to help out with health don't have sls in their products. Jason's comes to mind..they specifically put this on their ingredients that they are substituting something for SLS. This is one of the main reasons why I won't use Tom's of maine anymore. Not only does it have SLS in their toothpaste (Jason's doesn't ) but they also have Propylene glycol in their anti perspirants too! I mean if a product is going to go "natural", umm..they need to also make sure they have safe and non irritating ingredients. Just goes to show you that you need to still read labels. Tom's of maine also scoffs at the findings of SLS and propylene glycol which is sad. I'd think people would have better things to do with their money than chase something like SLS if it wasn't really bad.

here is another link to the story on SLS that is interesting:

http://www.aubrey-organics.com/about...es/shampoo.cfm

And others:

http://www.safe2use.com/data/sls-sles.htm
http://www.zellersnaturalhealth.com/danger.html
http://www.gardenofgood.com/SodiumLaurelSulfate.htm


On another link I found this list that was kinda neat:

Great products like the Giovanni line of hair care, Weleda toothpastes, Avalon Organics, the Nature's Gate Organic line, Dr. Bronners (except Sal Suds), Sun Dog, and Jason products, are all SLS free. So, who uses SLS? Tom's of Maine, Earth Science, Kiss My Face, Dessert Essence, Pure and Basic, Nature's Gate, Shikai and King Fisher.

Propylene glycol
Reported to have severe adverse health effects including contact dermatitis and allergies, kidney and liver damage. Used widely in cosmetics, personal care products, baby products (wipes and lotions).

here is another quick and dirty list:

http://www.aubrey-organics.com/about/treat_10synth.cfm