Do Chemicals Concern You?

You want the best for your baby. So why even consider a skincare product that contains harmful chemicals and additives?

As CBC’s widely viewed television show “Marketplace” demonstrated on an episode aptly called Lousy Labels, products that claim to be “natural and organic” could be anything but. You can watch the entire report on the following link:

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2011/lousylabels   

Learn more about the chemicals we leave out and why.

Alcohol. When listed as an ingredient, the product likely contains ethyl alcohol, which can dry out skin and hair. This could potentially damage the hydro-lipidic layer of the skin which protects the skin from losing the natural moisture; that can lead to developing a sensitive skin condition.

Colorants/dyes. These are pigments or coloured chemicals that improve the appearance of skincare products. They do not affect, and certainly do not improve, how the products work. Some contain or come from crude oil or minerals that may contain carcinogenic chemicals.

Fragrance/perfume. Skincare product manufacturers can choose from a hundred or more artificial fragrances to give the products a more cosmetic appeal but having a pleasant fragrance does not have an effect of the efficacy of the product. Many irritate or harm skin, and some have toxic properties.

Parabens. Parabens are chemical preservatives used in personal care products that have been identified as estrogenic and disruptive of normal hormone function. There are six commonly used forms Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, p-Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, n-Butylparaben and Benzylparaben

Phthalates. Phthalates are a family of industrial chemicals that are used in different cosmetics and personal care products. They can be absorbed through the skin and are known to cause a broad range of birth defects and lifelong reproductive impairments. They could appear on labels as dibutyl phthalate, dithylhexyl phthalate, DEHP and/or DBP. The European Union has banned the use of some phthalates in toys, listing it as a “substance of very high concern.”