When I say that I’m guilty, I literally mean it. I have had this 1/2 finished soap bottle in my bathroom, but have just been waiting for it to get all used before I tried my “Germ-buster” DIY soap!

So, finally I have an empty foaming soap dispenser. Now to make my first bathroom toiletry that is free of “fragrance”, “sodium lauryl sulfates”, “PEG’s”, and synthetic dyes. (Just to name a few).

*Fragrance can be literally hidden is hundreds of ingredients in “parfum” or “fragrance”:  a “trade secret”in the industry. More than 75% of the time if you have a fragrance, you have legally hidden phthalates (THAL ates), known endocrine disruptors, that are linked with birth defects, breast cancer, infertility, liver, cancer, diabetes, obesity and now with autism and ADHD in pregnancy by Dr. Philip Landrigon, Mt Sinai, Children’s Environmental Health Center. 

* PEG’s (polyethylene glycol) are petroleum byproducts. During manufacturing process, carcinogenic contamination is created: 1,4 dioxane, which is a known human carcinogen, with liver and kidney effects.

* Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are considered carcinogens. SLES is sometimes contaminated with 1, 4 dioxane (remember from above?). You will never see 1,4 dioxane on a label, as companies are not required to list carcinogenic contaminants. (CRAZY, right??!)

*Synthetic dyes/colors are made from coal tar, which is a mixture of many chemicals, derived from petroleum. These colors may be contaminated with low levels of heavy metals and some are combined with aluminum substrate. Aluminum compounds and many heavy metals are toxic to the brain. i.e. FD&C Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5 & 6, Red 33.

Like I mentioned above, until very recently, these were ingredients in my soap. It is a name brand that is not that expensive. Most people probably have used this handsoap in their homes.  This week, I made the switch to a “safer” soap option:

“FOAMING GERM-BUSTING HAND SOAP”:

(What you’ll need: a foaming hand soap dispenser, liquid Castile Soap, Thieves Essential Oil Blend)

1 part Castile Soap

+

4 parts Water

+

5-10 drops Thieves Essential Oil Blend

 (You can always tweek it if it doesn’t feel right to you. Be sure you’re using a foaming pump as the Castile soaps do not work well in a regular soap pump without clogging or shooting the soap sideways or up!! (I use Thieves Essential Oil blend because it is a blend of Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Cloves and Rosemary….talk about great a great safe-guard oil!) 

This DIY hand soap avoids dangerous chemicals AND saves money! What changes can you make?

Stay tuned to the next part of the series!
-Kim

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I hadn’t the slightest idea what any of these ingredients were or what they (could) do to the body. It’s scary once you know what you’re looking for. The key 6 ingredients below are found in so many products that you use daily. Go ahead….I challenge you to go grab a lotion, or shampoo, or household cleaner right now. These ingredients are “endocrine disruptors”. This is important to know because your endocrine system regulates ALL biological processes in the body: development of the brain and nervous system, growth and function of the reproductive system, metabolism and blood sugar levels, ovaries, testes, pituitary, thyroid and the adrenal glands (Natural News)

Here are 6 key ingredients to look for and avoid:

FRAGRANCE:  can be legally hidden in hundreds of ingredients in “fragrance” or “parfum”. More than 75% of the time if you have fragrance, you have legally hidden phthalates (THAL ates), known endocrine disruptors, that are linked with birth defects, breast cancer, infertility, liver, cancer, diabetes and now with autism and ADHD in pregnancy. (Dr. Philip Landrigan, Mt Sinai, Children’s Environmental Health Center)

PARABENS: Preservatives linked to breast cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity and developmental defects. California Study (10/11) of BPA and methylparaben combination turned healthy cells into cancer cells, and rendered tamoxifinn ineffective

TRICLOSAN: is the active ingredient in “anti-bacterial” products, is registered with the government as a pesticide and is a known endocrine disruptor. Triclosan is believed to disrupt thyroid function and contribute to liver and inhalation toxicity.

OXYBENZONE and OCTINOXATE: (and other chemical sunscreen “active ingredients”) are UV ray filters are also known endocrine disruptors.

PETROLATUM & PETROLEUM INGREDIENTS: endocrine disruptors and carcinogens.
Here’s an example of a conventional lip balm vs. an Ava Anderson Non Toxic lip balm:

You can see that the conventional brand has many ingredients to avoid: Petrolatum, Fragrance, Mineral Oil, Polyparaben… just to name a few (although anything with a * next to it is an ingredient to avoid).  Ava Anderson’s lip balm has only 8 ingredients, including Shea Butter which has a natural SPF of 6 (if you want an SPF in your lip balm) or you can make your own like I did in my last post!

I will admit that it has taken time to slowly go through my stash of household items and TRY alternatives. I am still learning what these ingredients are in search for non-toxic products to replace them.

So far, we have changed our soap, lotions, face products, hair products, dish soaps, and air fresheners to include products from Ava Anderson Non Toxic and Young Living Essential Oils.

This weekend, I make a DIY safe alternative detergent and liquid hand soaps! Must head out to Whole Foods and Michaels to get supplies! Post to follow!  

Well…….what did you find from your household item? Did it contain any of these?  If so, does it mean anything to you? Are you going to throw it out today and look for a safer alternative?  Or better yet, go back to the place you bought your toxic products and return them. Tell them you do not want these toxic chemicals in your house and that you are not willing to be a guinea pig.

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