My Thoughts On The Organic Trend and Green Living

Recently, I read an interesting post about organic shampoo at Natural Organic Products. I wouldn't say I've completely switched over to an organic lifestyle because of the cost factor. I have, however, embraced green living and do my best to conserve, compost, and using green products. Green living isn't hard but it requires effort and changing our habits which is not easy for some people to do. For example, sorting our trash to reduce the amount of garbage we dump in our landfills isn't hard but it takes effort. I mentioned in my older post about recycling and composting in San Francisco and how the residents get a free green bin to compost their leftover foods and hundreds of other things. San Francisco has a free compost program unlike other cities that require a pick-up service fee. Even though the idea of composting doesn't seem like a big deal and it's free, many residents don't bother to do it. The answer: No time. Seriously? No Time? Just lazy in my opinion. If people would just take a bit of time to do their part for our environment and future generations, we will help alleviate a huge burden off the backs of our future generations. 


Now as for switching over to an organic lifestyle, I do try to buy natural products and eat organic foods. I have become an avid label reader and I think because of what I have been learning about ingredients in our products, I'm more conscious about what I use and eat. The cost factor of organic products does restrict me from buying everything organic though. A certified organic shampoo for instance can cost over $30 and that's for only 8oz. A regular drugstore shampoo costs around $5. It's the same with organic and non-organic foods. Big price difference. I understand why an organic shampoo would cost more than a regular shampoo. Regular shampoos contain cheap synthetic ingredients whereas an organic shampoos, certified organic shampoos that is, contain naturally derived ingredients. In addition to this, organic products are not mass produced which can bring down the cost because the demand is low. I hope as demand rise, the prices for organic products will be more affordable. Maybe then, we will see a decline in cancers and other health problems that have risen in the past 20 years.

Common Deadly Ingredients In Skin Care and Cosmetics

After reading this list of 10 things we should know about ingredients in our products, things are starting to make sense to me now. Like why my kids scalp gets itchy after they washed their hair and why I sometimes get skin irritation after putting on a certain brand of moisturizer. Yes, moisturizer! So now I know that some moisturizers actually dry out your skin depending on what stuff gets thrown inside the bottle. Worst yet, the bad stuff could be absorbed by our skin and into our bloodstream. If our body can not process these chemicals, they are stuck inside and that's when damage to our organs occur. Funny thing is up until today, I've always suspected that maybe it's the ingredients in the moisturizer that is causing my allergic reaction but I never really gave it much thought. I also know to avoid using products with ingredients like parabens and sulfates because these chemicals have been linked to several types of cancers and other health issues. A while back, I wrote about why paraben and sulfate free shampoos are good for us. So back to the 10 things that I read, I encourage everyone to read the ingredients label of their skin care and personal care products. Our health is priceless and it's way too important for us to assume that the products we use are safe for us. I used to think that in the United States, the government regulates the industry that makes our makeup, shampoos, deodorants, and etc. but the truth to the matter is, they don't. Good thing is we have organic and natural alternatives that are safe and healthy. 

1. Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol - petroleum derivatives that act as solvents, surfactants, and wetting agents that can easily penetrate the skin, and can weaken protein and cellular structure.
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) - foaming agents and dissolve the oil in our skin. They are known to cause eye, scalp, and skin irritation as well as damage to  the hair follicle. These chemicals are used in engine degreasers, laundry detergent, and carpet cleaners.
3. Diethanolamine(DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA) & Ttriethanolamine(TEA) - these chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. They are used as emulsifiers, thickeners, wetting agents, detergents, and alkalizing agents. Repeated skin application of DEA was found to cause liver and kidney damage in laboratory animals.
4. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) - PEG compounds often contain small amounts of ethylene oxide. According to experimental results reported on in the National Toxicology Program's Eighth Annual Report on Carcinogens, ethylene oxide increases the incidences of uterine and breast cancers and of leukemia and brain cancer.
5. Sodium Hydroxide - an additive that is a strong irritant and corrosive to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal system if ingested.
6. Triclosan - artificial antimicrobial chemical used to kill bacteria on the skin and other surfaces. Recent studies suggest this chemical may disrupt thyroid function (Veldhoen 2006) and may also disrupt other critical hormone systems.
7. DMDM and Urea (Imidazolidnyl) - a preservative used to to prevent molds, mildews, and bacterial spoilage. It may irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations.
8. Parabens (Begins with: Ethyl, Methyl, Butyl, Propyl, Isoprobly, Isobutly) - antimicrobial preservatives to help products last longer. Samples of breast cancer tissues have shown six different parabens used in cosmetic products. 
9. Alcohol (Ethyl, Ethanol, Isopropyl) - a solvent and denaturant (substance that changes another substance's natural qualities) and has a drying effect on your skin or hair.
10. Phthalates - used to moisturize and to help chemicals absorb into the skin. Phthalates are considered hazardous waste and are regulated as pollutants in air and water buts are unregulated in food, cosmetics, and medical products in the U.S. In contrast, the European Union restricts use of some phthalates.
11. FD&C Color Pigments - "Food, Drug, and Cosmetic" artificial color pigments that are usually made from coal tar that deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation.
12. Fragrances - 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum that are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. (Neurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace, Report by the Committee on Science & Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Sept. 16, 1986. (Report 99-827))

Source:

Organic List