Would you wash your hair with engine degreaser? I am sure that everyone would say 'NO WAY'.Well, unfortunately, most products that are on the market have engine degreasers in their ingredients. Do you bother to check what you buy at all? Or do you just go for the product because it is cheap or because it's what is most popular. First of all, some of the products that are used are cheap for one reason - because the chemicals used to make that product are cheap - but not necessarily healthy.

I used to buy anything as long as it had a popular brand name, but when I learnt what is used to make certain products - well - I decided, prevention is better than cure!! Do you think that anyone cares what you use as bathroom products? When people come to your house, do you honestly think that friends are going to have a better opinion of you simply because you use the most advertised product on the market?

Did you know that the lotions are absorbed by your body faster than tablets? Next time you are putting any sort of lotion on your body, hand cream, body lotion etc, look at the ingredients that it has - check this list - and find out what harm you are doing to your body!

When using products that contain less harmful chemicals and more natural ingredients you are helping yourself live a healthier life. Personally, i think that is more important! Still, I am sure that not everyone agrees with me.

Don't just believe me though. Check on the internet about where alcohol is used, or aluminium - what products contain these chemicals and what harm they do! You will be shocked. At least, I was!!

Alcohol - Alcohol is used frequently as a solvent and is also found in beverages and medicine. As an ingredient in ingestible products, alcohol may cause body tissues to be more vulnerable to carcinogens. Mouthwashes have been implicated in mouth, tongue and throat cancers.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid - Skin care products containing AHA exfoliate not only damage skin cells, but the skin's protective barrier as well. Long term skin damage may result from its use.

Aluminium - A metallic element used in the manufacture of aircraft components, and an ingredient in antiperspirants, antacids and antiseptics. Aluminium has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease.

Animal Fat (Tallow) - the chief ingredients in a bar of soap; a cleaning and emulsifying product that may act as a breeding ground for bacteria.

Bentonite -Bentonite, commonly found in many cosmetic foundations, may clog pores and suffocate the skin.

Collagen -The collagen found in most skin care products is derived from animal skins and ground up chicken feet. This ingredient forms a layer of film that may suffocate the skin.

Dioxins - A potentially carcinogenic by-product that results from the process used to bleach paper at paper mills. Dioxin treated containers sometimes transfer dioxins to the product itself.

Elastin of High-Molecular Weight - Elastin is derived from animal sources. Its effect on the skin is similar to collagen.

Fluorocarbons non-flammable gas or liquid that can produce mild upper respiratory tract irritation. Fluorocarbons are commonly used as a propellant in hairsprays.

Formaldehyde - A toxic, colorless gas that is an irritant and carcinogen. When combined with water, it is used as a disinfectant, fixative or preservative. Formaldehyde is found in many cosmetic products and conventional nail care systems.

Glycerin - Glycerin is used as a solvent. Used also in skin care products - this dries the skin from the inside out.

Kaolin - A fine white clay used in making porcelain. Like bentonite, kaolin smothers and weakens the skin.

Lanolin - A fatty substance extracted from wool, which is frequently found in cosmetics and lotions. Lanolin is a common skin sensitiser that can cause allergic reactions, such as skin rashes.

Lye - Lye is combined with animal fats to make bars of soap, which may carrode and dry out the skin.

Sodium Laurel Sulphate - Harsh detergents and wetting agents used in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers, and auto cleaning products. SLS is well-known in the scientific community as a common skin irritant. It is rapidly absorbed and retained in the eyes, brain, heart and liver, which may result in harmful, long-term effects. SLS could retard healing, cause cataracts in adults, and prevent children's eyes from developing properly.

Sodium Laureth Sulphate - It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may cause more drying. Both SLS and SLES may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from just one shampooing.

Talc - Used in personal hygeine and cosmetic products. Inhaling talc may be harmful as this substance is recognised as a potential carcinogen.

There are many products out there that do not contain these chemicals. So when you go shopping next time, make sure you know what you are using on your body!! I have made my choice of products, but that does not mean that you have to follow my lead:) You can still look on store shelves and see which products are healthiest and to your taste too!!

Till next time,

To your success

Mimi

http://mimivercellono.info