How to Make Your Own Personal Products: Why do it, Anyway?

Transcription

1 How to Make Your Own Personal Products: Why do it, Anyway? We love to smell great. But, some of the ingredients in beauty products are not that pretty. The U.S. researchers report that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors. Many products include plasticizers (chemicals that keep concrete soft), degreasers (used to get grime off auto parts), and surfactants (they reduce surface tension in water, like in paint and inks). Imagine what that does to your skin, and to the environment. Why do we buy these products? For hygiene, right? Have you ever wondered what it is you are applying on your body every day? Is it harmful to you? What about the environment? The personal care industry has been hijacked by misleading messages and false advertising. More concerning is that companies are putting their profits before the health and wellbeing of their consumers. Here are the most common ingredients in your deodorants, soaps, hair gels, moisturizers, shampoos and conditioners, that should just straight up be avoided: 1. Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl and butyl) Parabens are the most widely used preservative in cosmetics. They are also used as fragrance ingredients, but consumers won't find that listed on the label. Fragrance recipes are considered trade secrets, so manufacturers are not required to disclose fragrance chemicals in the list of ingredients. An estimated 75 to 90 per cent of cosmetics contain parabens.

2 Parabens have been linked to breast cancer and are said to disturb the body s hormonal balance and to mimic estrogen, as estrogen is said to play a part in breast cancer formation. 2. Aluminum compounds (aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly) Aluminum compounds within deodorants act as a plug within the sweat ducts and temporarily stop the flow of sweat. However, these compounds can be absorbed by your skin. Just as the parabens, these compounds can mimic estrogen, which promote growth of breast cancer cells. 3. Triclosan Triclosan is another ingredient that can irritate your skin and cause contact dermatitis. Your body contains good as well as bad bacteria, but triclosan kills both. The FDA classifies triclosan as a pesticide, while the IARC has it listed as a possible carcinogen. 4. Talc The IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), claims that if Talc contains asbestiform fibers (resembling asbestos), then it is considered a carcinogen. The quantity of asbestiform fibers in deodorants is unclear as it is not regulated in cosmetic products. 5. PEG Compounds and their contaminants PEGs (polyethylene glycols) are petroleum-based compounds that are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers. PEGs are commonly used as cosmetic cream bases and may be contaminated with measureable amounts of ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide is classified as a known carcinogen that affects the nervous system and is considered a developmental toxicant that interferes with human development. 6. Dibutyl Phthalate Dibutyl phthalate (pronounced thal-ate), or DBP, is used mainly in nail products as a solvent for dyes and as a plasticizer that prevents nail polishes from becoming brittle. Phthalates are also used as fragrance ingredients. DBP is absorbed through

3 the skin and can enhance the capacity of other chemicals to cause genetic mutations. In laboratory experiments, it has been shown to cause developmental defects. The European Union classifies DBP as a suspected endocrine disruptor and as very toxic to aquatic organisms. 7. Petrolatum Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly (i.e. petroleum jelly). It is used as a barrier to lock moisture in the skin in a variety of moisturizers and hair care products. petroleum product, petrolatum can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Studies suggest that exposure to PAHs including skin contact over extended periods of time is associated with cancer. On this basis, the European Union classifies petrolatum a carcinogen 8. Siloxanes Cyclomethicone and ingredients ending in "siloxane" These silicone-based compounds are used in cosmetics to soften, smooth, and moisten. They make hair products dry more quickly and deodorant creams slide on more easily. Siloxanes can also be found in medical implants, water-repelling windshield coatings, building sealants and lubricants. Environment Canada assessments concluded that cyclotetrasiloxane and cylcopentasiloxane also known as D4 and D5 are toxic, persistent, and have the potential to bio-accumulate in aquatic organisms. In laboratory experiments, exposure to high doses of D5 has been shown to cause uterine tumours and harm to the reproductive and immune systems. D5 can also influence neurotransmitters in the nervous system. Most common products on the shelves like Axe, Secret, Old Spice, Dove, Right Guard and Estee Lauder typically contain at least one of the above ingredients.

4 Let s take a look at the deodorant and personal products we have on us right now. Can you find any of these ingredients? So what can we do about it? Well, why not make our OWN products! Not only is it far safer for your health AND for the ecology of our environment, but it is better on your wallet! Everyone wants to save a few bucks so, there is really no excuse! Homemade Natural Deodorant Recipe So, what does it take to make a chemical-free, environmentally friendly, cost affective deodorant? Ingredients: Arrowroot, potato Baking Soda Coconut oil Or corn starch ¼ cup of arrowroot starch flour OR Potato starch flour ¼ cup coconut cooking oil (solid) ¼ cup baking soda Essential oil (optional for a great scent) Measure and mix all ingredients together in a bowl until you have a solid texture (some coconut oils may be more liquid than others so you may need to add small amounts of starch to solidify the mixture). Place the mixture in a jar or container try re-using your old/empty deodorant stick! YOUR DONE!

5 Homemade Natural Shampoo Recipe So, what does it take to make a chemical-free, environmentally friendly, cost affective shampoo? Well, there are quite a few ways but, here is the easiest: Cornstarch thickening shampoo Ingredients: Arrowroot, potato OR corn starch Baking soda One tablespoon of baking soda One cup of water Add starch until desired thickness is reached Add essential oil for awesomeness! Just mix it all together and enjoy! Note: Add lemon and/or olive/almond oil for some extra zest!

6 Homemade Eco Laundry Soap Recipe This one has been adapted and designed for the backpacker in mind. Ingredients: Coconut oil Baking soda Vinegar One cup of baking soda ½ cup of coconut oil Lemon essential oil (great degreaser) Mix ingredients together according to how many clothes you are washing. Scrub clothing with water by hand. Rinse well!

7 Homemade Toothpaste Recipe By now, you have probably realized that most of the ingredients we are using here are the same thing. This is going to seriously limit the amount of things you need to carry on you if you are out in the wilderness or just travelling around. These ingredients are available in most places in the world and are quite cheap. The last thing we will go over is toothpaste. Ingredients Coconut oil Baking soda 6 tbsp. of coconut oil 6 tbsp. of baking soda 25 drops of an essential oil (ensure it is real organic oil. If you are not sure, skip the oil) Mix together and brush! (Adjust the measurements to make more or less accordingly). Note: Instead of coconut oil, mix sea salt (to taste), baking soda and water. You can add some mint leaves if available instead of the essential oil. For more information, visit: