There are many harmful chemicals in every day skin products. As I become more curious about the products I use every day I find myself doing a lot of research. The more research I do the more information I find that disturbs me. There are several chemicals that are used in commonly used house hold products that you should look out for. We have been using these products for years with out even a clue as to how harmful these chemicals are for our bodies.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)- are chemicals which are derived from sulpheric acid. They are frequently used in every day products. Not only are they the top active ingredient in almost all cleansers, soaps and shampoos, the basic reason they are used in clinical studies is to generate irritation in the skin. Researchers do this so that they can recognize the components of the other ingredients. SLS is the accepted universal choice, by which a calculated amount is observed to generate a certain level of irritation and reaction. This amount of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate caused irritation they can study the healing components of other formulas or ingredients that is used on the irritated skin. The same SLS used in making soap for human bodies is also used in making soaps to degrease your car’s engine. It dissolves the grease on your car the same way it dissolves the natural oils in your skin. This can result in dried skin and deteriorates skin proteins, making your skin more susceptible to environmental contaminants. SLES is less irritating that SLS however it is more dangerous because it can not be metabolized by the liver so the side effects are much longer lasting. SLS and SLES are most often used in:

• Shampoos
• Soaps
• Products that we expect to "foam up".
• Toothpastes
• Detergents

Side effects are:

• Skin corrosion
• Skin irritation
• Protein Denaturing
• Eye irritation
• Carcenogenicity

In Men:

• Breast enlargement
• Reduction of male hormone levels
• Massive drop in sperm count
• Massive drop in sperm motility

In Women:

• Menstrual problems
• Menopausal symptoms
• Potential infertility

Diethanolamine (DEA)-is generally reacted in fats, oils or derived fatty acids so that amides that are usually used as a foam thickener, emulsifiers and stabilizers can be formed. These are used in cosmetics, shampoos and dish soaps. DEA is also used in the treatment of refinery gas, natural gas and liquid steams, in which hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are the contaminants that are removed. It holds a low acute toxicity level but a heavy cumulative toxicity. This it because DEA can not be excreted from the body. Instead it builds up in fatty tissues of the brain, spleen, kidneys, or liver when frequently exposed orally or absorbed through the skin. As it compounds in the tissues DEA provokes the build up of unnatural phospholipids. Side effects are:

• Mounting tissue
• Nerve damage
• Premature death.
• Liver damage
• And damage to other organs
• Anemia
• Kidney degeneration
• Nerve damage to the brain
• Nerve damage to the spinal cord

Parabens are a group of chemicals that are derived of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. They are used as preservatives in at least twenty five thousand cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Parabens are used mostly for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. Parabens copy the hormone estrogen, which is known to stimulate breast cancer. They are also suspected to cause the skin to age, when exposed to UV rays and dermatitis. So all those anti aging products people sink all their money into are all for nothing. They can actually make you age faster with sun exposure. Parabens can be absorbed through the skin and are most commonly used in:

• Shampoo
• Moisturizers
• Shaving Gel
• Personal lubricant
• Topical pharmaceuticals
• Tanning solution
• Toothpaste
• Side effects are:
• Increased risk of cancer (especially breast cancer)
• Skin Irritation
• Rashes
• Other allergic reactions
• Interference of hormone levels in men and women

　These are only a few of the harmful chemicals in every day skin products. If you would like to ensure that you are not using a product that contains harmful chemicals, the best option is to use organic products. Organic skin products are made with all natural ingredients with out the use of harmful chemicals. They are healthier for your skin and they will not dry our the natural oils in your skin. There are many herbal ingredients in organic skin products that have healing properties. Such as:

• Raw coconut oil
• Calendula
• Chamomile
• Lavender

And those are just a few of the most common ingredients. Organic skin care products are becoming more popular as people are discovering the dangers of the harmful chemicals in every day skin products. So they are much easier to find. Some of the local stores you can find organic skin care products in are:

Whole Foods Market

www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Target

www.target.com

There are also many stores online where you can find organic skin care products

Eminence Organics

www.eminenceorganics.com

Saffron Rouge

www.saffronrouge.com

Lily Organics

www.lilyorganics.com