Some not too sweet facts about your fragrance

Image by John Rohan via Flickr

After a steaming hot shower with your favorite deodorant soap or body gel, do you step immediately reach for your favorite perfume or cologne to layer your fragrance so tht you can feel fresh all day long?  Most of us do.  Our love for artificial fragrances and masking body odor at all expense has exposed us to a dangerous mix of chemicals and preservatives.

What are these chemicals and what is their potential for danger?

A deadly brew

Below is a list of 10 of some of the more popular ingredients found in personal care products from the article "List of 15 toxic chemicals to avoid in personal care products" http://www.naturalcosmetics.com/:

1.Phthalates are synthetic chemicals used to make fragrances stable.  These chemicals can cause endocrine disorders in the body.

2.Parabens - are everywhere.  These preservatives can cause hormone-like changes in breast tissue.

3.Ureas - release formaldehyde in small amounts.  Can also cause contact dermatitis.

4.1,4 dioxane - or aluminum laureth sulfate, polyethylene glycol (PEG) - chemicals that are carcinogenic.

5. Petrochemicals which include petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin. They can cause allergies, skin and eye irritation as well.

6.MEA/TEA/DEA - are ammonia compounds or "amines" which form nitrosamines when they come in contact with nitrates.  These are cancer causers.

7. Sulfates - These include sodium lauryl and sodium laureth.  These are chemicals that give soaps and shampoos their latherability. They can cause skin and hair follicle damage as well as liver damage.

8.Sunscreen chemicals such as oxybenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate disrupt endocrine activity.

9. Benzylkonium chloride, steardimonium chloride - these chemicals prevent static. They are corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

10.Triclosan and chlorphenesin - antibacterials that are added to personal care products which inhibit the growth of bacteria. The can cause endocrine problems, particularly with the thyroid.  They also affect immune function and can cause birth defects.
To view the full list, please visit: http://www.naturalcosmeticnews.com/, "List of 15 Toxic chemicals to avoid in personal care procuts."

The bottom line

Research the products that you and your family commonly use.  With a little ingenuity, you can find safer and very pleasant alternatives.

For some suggestions, please read the related articles below.

Related articles

• The Relationship Between Perfumes and Allergies (brighthub.com)
• Feds should ban "dirty dozen" chemicals from personal care products: study (canada.com)
• Maria Rodale: Don't Just Be Pretty: Have a Smart Beauty Routine (huffingtonpost.com)
• David Suzuki targets 'dirty dozen' toxic ingredients (cbc.ca)
• Marcia G. Yerman: What Price Beauty? New Legislation Seeks Safety Regulations (huffingtonpost.com)