The Nitty Gritty Toxins in Personal Care Products, Who Cares?

Does your shampoo back label happen to say "Do not apply to scalp" or does it just say "lather on hair"? Maybe it takes it a step further and says "massage into scalp". If you just got the urge to check, go ahead, grab your shampoo and take a look. If you can't apply to scalp, why not? And if you should massage into scalp, what are you massaging in through those large scalp follicles? There are yet tons of questions to be answered for deodorants that cause breakouts, rashes, leave residue stains on clothing, or just leave people stinkin' after a hards day of work. Then there's soaps and body washes that we put on our skin that leave skin dry, not to mention soap scum in the tub or glass doors. How about lotions that make you wonder why your hands are still hard, stretchy and dry, or leave your arms and legs ashy. The skin care that peels women's skin off, or burns, stings, irritates, or causes redness and all sorts of crazy reactions. Lip balms that can't seem to quench the dry lips and constantly must be reapplied. Oh and those pesky perfumes that give people headaches, cause scratchiness to the throat, and can't get by without making someone sneeze, even causing nausea. How about those lovely scented candles that after a few minutes only smell like fire or just start giving headaches and stuffy noses. I for once got fed up with the inevitable must have products like shampoo and deodorant yet had to stay clear from scary products out there like skin care.  Thankfully, I found the solution to my lack of skincare with safe personal care for my family, but not before first making some gruesome discoveries.

I'm sure many of you are thinking, "well not me, I have my organic and natural shampoo, lotion, deodorant, skincare" that you get from the organic section of the pharmacy, the "organic" store, health store, or that "vegan" advertised line of products. Maybe your saying "who cares, I'm happy with my products, they work for me". Is it the store or those claims that make "GREEN" personal care products SAFE? Or is it those new green labeled products that say natural, organic, vegan, and even just point out that they have no parabens, no sulfates, no this, no that? What about that oh so doubtless certified organic seal? What really makes our personal care products safe, then? Well, it comes down to the actual containing INGREDIENTS!

Toxic Ingredients Not To Be Ignored

Did you know that in America, there is really no regulations on ingredients let alone what goes on labels? Let's take a look at the some nitty gritty toxins that Americans need to start paying attention to so they can avoid them. I can not possibly list them all but I will list the most common ones and the ones that supposed organic products still compromise into their claimed safe green and  organic products.

Diethanolamine (DEA) & Triethanolamine (TEA) - an emulsifiers and foaming agents that can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation and skin/scalp dryness. "Where'd all that dandruff come from, scratching head".

Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea - Preservatives shown in studies to be the primary cause of contact dermatitis. Germall II and Germall 115 are trade names of these chemicals - both of which release toxic formaldehyde. "Wow, that cream looks so good to use after so many years."

1,4-Dioxane - a chemical "known to the State of California to cause cancer.” It is a byproduct of the cancer-causing petrochemical Ethylene Oxide, which is used as part of a short-cut process called Ethoxylation, which makes harsh ingredients milder. Also suspected of being a kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant, among others, according to the California EPA. It is also a leading groundwater contaminant.

FD&C or D&C - ending with a number are synthetic colors that can be carcinogenic. "Do we really need a pink lotion? Is that red shampoo really gonna turn our hair red?"

Formaldehyde - a chemical used mostly as a preservative.  Formaldehyde is frequently combined with other chemicals, which is given a different name, such as methenamine, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, etc. 

Fragrance (Phthalates)- In other words hundreds of fake chemicals in one easy sounding word but is the worst deceiver of all because included or I should say, these are the ingredients excluded in the ingredient list.  These fake fragrances cause headaches, coughing, dizziness, vomiting and skin irritation to name a few. "Did you really think that was real roses you were smelling?"

Methyl, Propyl, Butyl & Ethyl Parabens - Toxic preservative known to cause rashes and allergic reactions. "Oh, that's where that itchy redness came from?"

Mineral Oil, Paraffin - Just cover the skin and slow cellular development, which can cause you to show earlier signs of aging, and are a suspected cause of cancer and disruption to hormonal activity.

Petrolatum -  In other words, Petroleum as you hear it. An emollient thats supposed to soften and smooth the skin, but instead interferes with the body's own natural moisturizing processes. "So people will tend to reapply thinking that will help."

Phenoxyethanol - a preservative used in cosmetics and personal care products that can cause irritation to skin, eyes or lungs. Also may cause organ system toxicity.

Propylene Glycol -  Supposed vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, but instead often replaced by the fake PEG (polyethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol). Both of these chemicals cause eczema, hives and other allergic reactions. "Well no wonder!"

PVP/VA Copolymer - A petroleum derived chemical often used in hair products known to be toxic when inhaled in the lungs.

Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate - Cheap foaming agent in shampoos, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate causes several allergic reactions, scalp scurf, eye irritation and skin rashes. "Wow, who thought foam meant effective?"

Stearalkonium Chloride - Often used in hair conditioners and creams, originally used to soften clothes but used in personal care products because its cheaper than good ole proteins and herbals. "How long does it take to feel rinsed after conditioning?"

Triclosan - is an antibacterial chemical used in soaps, face washes, deodorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes and some other personal-care products. It accumulates in our bodies and is linked to skin irritation, liver toxicity and hormone disruption. Triclosan can also accumulate in waterways, killing beneficial bacteria that contribute to healthy ecosystems.

So many of these tongue twisting ingredients in your products may fall into the listed toxic ingredient categories. It can get deceptive and tricky, especially when you start reading an ingredient list that begins with pretty plant extracts and slowly turn into some of the above type ingredients.

I know it may seem hard to find perfect products, or you may be satisfied with the products you have entrusted your skin to because of its certified organic, natural or green promises but if you are willing to face the ingredients, the truth will set you free. Toxic free that is.

The Non Toxic Discovery

Well, to my surprise I did find what I was wishing to see in products, good ole truly SAFE ingredients regardless of "greenwashing" labels. Greenwashing is when products are claimed to be safe and environmentally harmless but really are not when it comes down to their ingredients. When I set out on my serious search to find only the best ingredients in shampoo, sunblock, and lotions out there, I thought I had no choice but to use the words "organic", "natural" or even "vegan" to find them. I quickly became disappointed and distraught to find that the complete ingredients in said products did not match with the implication of their labels and self claimed promises. Finally, after months of hunting I found Ava Anderson Non Toxic, by then I felt like I had seen it all that I almost passed up looking into Ava's products. I was shocked at the word "toxic" wondering if that's what all those chemical ingredients really are, toxic. All along, I could have taken a short cut in finding the right products if I would have searched using the term Non Toxic, I was naive apparently. Something good came out of my long search, I learned what ingredients I did not want to be fooled by and the ingredients I did want my products to contain. Ava Anderson Non Toxic lists their ingredients openly on their website and they don't compromise any of them, therefore none are harmful as they are mainly organic. Needless to say, I was joyous to find harmless skincare, a pure shampoo, and safe products for my family and home. I was done trying non-sulfate shampoo, supposed organic shampoo, recommended shampoos, that by golly their labels meant nothing. Well, Ava's product ingredients are not only extremely effective but give me peace of mind that I am not absorbing toxins into my bloodstream. I now have a clean conscious and don't feel guilty of what my kids use on their skin.

So I say to all in this information age, there's no excuse, know whats in your products and go non toxic. Ava Anderson Non Toxic does care about America's health and the environment. I have made it a mission to share the toxic message and let Americans know, especially my local community, that Ava's SAFE ingredient products exist and we do deserve to use the best healthy option there is.

You can learn more about Ava Anderson Non Toxic here: www.AvaAndersonNonToxic.com/ArelyPosz

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