It's been a year since I went back to work after cancer treatments, and almost 2 years since I went crazy with the anti-toxin issue. Researching an writing this blog was fine when I wasn't working, but keeping it up and working full time is practically impossible. I go to bed at 8pm, no kidding. Regardless, I'm still learning, and sharing what I know. I've convinced many friends to stop heating up lunched in plastic containers, and changing their baby's bottles to bpa-free alternatives. Many people have asked about my cosmetic and soap products and have tried them. I like knowing that I'm educating people, but whether they change their habits or not is up to them. At least, they know more now about toxins and xeno-estrogens, and their impact on our health.
As for me, I'm healthy, but my estrogen levels are still 3 times the norm. After all the phtalates and bpa I've eliminated in my life, it seems I am a natural estrogen-making machine. Good for my skin and my figure, bad for chances of recurrence. I won't worry about it though, since I can only control what I can --my exposure to toxins. So, 2 years later:
1. I use only toxin-free cosmetics and body products: Right now, Dr Bronner is the product of choice. We use it as hand soap, shampoo, body soap and face cleanser. Why would we need a different type of product on our face? It's the same skin we have everywhere else. What a great example of a made-up need. I still love Bare Organics and Rocky Mountain Soap Company, which I alternate with Dr Bronner.
In the bath I use baking soda just like my mother used to. It does a nice job of softening the water. If I rather have bath oil, I go down to the kitchen to get the olive oil since there is no such thing as bath oil. Oil is oil. Same with bath salts. Kitchen sea salt does the trick. And again, same with lotions. If I need to hydrate my skin, what does a better job then oil? At least I know what's going on and in my skin: Olives. I'm ok with that.
2. I don't use any plastic to store food. Many people ask me how we store food in the refrigerator or heat in the microwave. As simple as a plate with a bowl on top, or vise versa. For packed lunches, we use stainless steel containers and mason jars. Freezing is trickier -I keep breaking the jars, so I'm working on it. I'm still looking for waterproof organic cotton envelops or bags for sandwiches and snacks. I might have to make them myself.
3. I use only natural cleaning products, or vinegar and baking soda. I prefer having bacteria than chemicals in my house. It's a choice and believe me, everything is antibacterial now, even your underwear. A shame we are so triclosan-crazy now since it's proven that kids exposed to certain bacteria before the age of 2 are less likely to die from that bacteria as an elder.
4. I don't use pesticides on my lawn (no fertilizer either -why would I want the damn thing to grow faster?) and I buy the dirty dozen in the organic section or at least locally grown: apples, grapes, peppers, celery, peaches, and all other thin skinned fruit and vegetables. I don't worry about bananas, mangoes, pineapples, oranges, etc. I also stay away from produce that is not in season. I will never buy huge January strawberries. In winter, we eat Caribbean fruit; it isn't local but it is in season. It's fun the learn your location's growing season. In Ottawa, we have asparagus in May, strawberries in June, raspberries in July, blueberries and peaches in August, apples and potatoes in September, root vegetables in the fall.
5. We buy only local, hormone and antibiotic-free meat. We go to our local butcher/farmer who told us they "don't have the money for that fancy hormone thing", and we bought a quarter cow from La Ferme du Vallon Highlands, from someone we know who raises cows in summer. I know my cow was raised with respect and on milk and grass, as all cows should.
6. My house smells of nothing. Not of fabric softener (the devil incarnated and another made-up need), not of air fresheners or plug-ins, nothing. In fact, I don't use anything that has the word "fragrance" as an ingredient.
It was difficult at first, but once we got used to the change, it made sense. I feel good about protecting myself and my family, and I'm saving money too.
Showing posts with label cosmetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cosmetics. Show all posts
March 04, 2011
October 16, 2009
Cosmetics. Part 1.
I've added "Part 1" to this post since, like food, there's so much to say about cosmetics. What I forget to mention here will be addressed in future posts.
The toxicity of cosmetics was one of the first facts to come out about toxins and chemicals in our environment. Stacey Malkan's book Not Just a Pretty Face. The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry published in 2007 contributed to the awareness.
So here it is folks. The truth none of us want to hear.
How fast you age and how you look depend solely on these factors: genetics, sleep, stress levels, exercise, water intake, alcohol and caffeine intake, and what you eat.
Unfortunately and regardless of what magazines make us believe, no product can replace these factors.
The truth is hard to hear, but very liberating.
As I mentioned in the introduction to this blog, I owe my friend M for telling me the nasty truth about cosmetics two years ago and opening my eyes for good. She started by telling me about the harmful effects of sodium laureth sulfates and other ingredients in products we use every day, and how many we use. Think about your morning routine. It's worse for women, but men are not exempt:
The basics:
soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, moisturizer, makeup and remover, some sort of behave-yourself hair product (gel, moose, varnish, putty, spray, etc).
And maybe:
conditioner, face cleanser and toner, more makeup and lip balm, shaving cream or other hair removal product, mouthwash, lotion, nail polish and remover, bubble bath and other bath products, massage oils and lubricants, and hair colour.
Most of these products contain chemicals to avoid like sulfates, parabens, preservatives and if scented, phtalates that don't need to be listed in the ingredients. Actually, even unscented products can contain fragrances to mask the smell of chemicals. These chemicals act as emulsifiers and as penetrating agents, as well as prolong fragrance life.
If you're wondering which of your products contain chemicals, enter the product name in the Skin Deep database and see for yourself. It will give you the ingredients in the product, if it's been tested or not and give you a level of toxicity. It feels like playing Russian roulette. Johnson & Johnson baby products for example, are terrifying. Which is why there's also a safety guide for children's products. This site was created by American lobbyists who call themselves the Environment Working Group and are working on a Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. It seems to be working since some companies have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics pledge, and American initiative. You can see the companies that have signed on here. In Canada and in the Europeean Union, cosmetics regulations are more strict, but there's still a long way to go to make them safe.
Changing your products can seem overwhelming. Start by thinking "multi-use". We don't need all these grooming products --their existence doesn't make them useful. In fact, some create problems we fix with other products. Take shampoo and conditioner for example. Most shampoos with sulfates strip you hair of its natural oils, which dries it out and makes it dull and unmanageable. We then use conditioner full of xenoestrogen to return its shine and softness. That's why our hair is in such bad condition when we stop --it's on hormonal withdrawal. That and we're still using stripping shampoo. Same goes for drying soap and hydrating lotions.
Here's what we really must use on a daily basis and the alternatives I've found:
a) Something to wash with. People used to wash with oil, and soap is made from lard so it shouldn't dry your skin. Also, our skin is the same everywhere so why use a different cleanser for your face? Here are soaps my family and I use.
Oatmeal baby soap. It's not just for babies and it lasts forever.
All in one cleanser. Mix one part soap with 4 parts water in a foaming bottle to make it last. I have it at every sink in the house.
Both these products come from the Ontario based company Bare Organics started by a mother who's child has overly sensitive skin. I order it through a friend or online. It's worth the shipping and if you have issues, questions or are not satisfied, you can talk to the owner directly.
I just ordered these handmade soaps from British-Columbia based Rocky Mountain Soap Company: the pumpkin (good for skin conditions), the goats milk (always very creamy), the Alpine and the Bar None. I'll let you know what I think of them.
b) Something to wash your hair with, and not every day. It's shampoos containing sulfates that force you to. Of course, if your hair gets stripped of it's natural oils every wash it will make it in excess to balance itself out. No conditioner is needed if your oils are left to work normally. This can take a week or longer. Hair withdrawal is hell but think of the freedom! In my case it's simple, I'm getting brand new undamaged hair. I use Burts Bees shampoo sold in most drugs stores.
c) Something to clean your teeth with. Toothpaste is filled with chemicals, yet alternatives are not great. Have you tried brushing your teeth with baking soda? It's absolutely disgusting. Nevertheless if you want, here's a homemade toothpaste recipe (scroll down to toothpaste). I'll let you know when I find something else.
d) Deodorant. Sweating is your body's natural way of getting rid of toxins. It's counter-productive to stop it considering the amount the toxins we ingest, but excessive stinky sweating is not acceptable. I started using Burst Bees deodorant instead of antiperspirant. It works most days unless I wear synthetic materials or if I'm dehydrated. It doesn't prevent sweating, so I ordered this one from Rocky Mountain, which was suggested by a friend.
e) Moisturizer (if your skin is dry). This is very simple. I use oil. When I go camping, I use olive oil. Why not? I need something to hydrate my skin and protect it from the elements. Oil does that very well. Since I know there's no product out there that will make my wrinkles disappear, I don't waste my money. If your skin is oily, good for you, it has it's own natural protection. Like with hair, if you stop stripping it, it might work well.
f) Make-up (if you're a women, or not). I've known for a long time that make-up is full of harsh somethings, since my face would break out and my eyes don't tolerate mascara. Think of waterproof mascara, what makes it waterproof? I rather not know. I found two brands of cosmetics without parabens or so I was told. One is Plant Love by Cargo and unfortunately, I don't remember the other one. I also use products from the new organic line from Cover girl (I can't find a link) and Burts Bees makes great lip glosses.
Of course, this list can get longer if you choose but you can use more natural alternatives and reduce your exposure to toxins and xenoestrogens. Really, that's a lot of products we use on your body every day, so if they all contain an "acceptable" amount of harmful toxins, how much are you absorbing then?
Sources
Campain for Safe Cosmetics
"Canadian Laws"
Sexy Hormones. F & W Ltd, Markham, 2007.
Smith, R. and B. Lourie. Slow Death By Rubber Duck, Toronto, Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2009.
Rocky Mountain Soap Company
"Elements to avoid"
The toxicity of cosmetics was one of the first facts to come out about toxins and chemicals in our environment. Stacey Malkan's book Not Just a Pretty Face. The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry published in 2007 contributed to the awareness.
So here it is folks. The truth none of us want to hear.
How fast you age and how you look depend solely on these factors: genetics, sleep, stress levels, exercise, water intake, alcohol and caffeine intake, and what you eat.
Unfortunately and regardless of what magazines make us believe, no product can replace these factors.
The truth is hard to hear, but very liberating.
As I mentioned in the introduction to this blog, I owe my friend M for telling me the nasty truth about cosmetics two years ago and opening my eyes for good. She started by telling me about the harmful effects of sodium laureth sulfates and other ingredients in products we use every day, and how many we use. Think about your morning routine. It's worse for women, but men are not exempt:
The basics:
soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, moisturizer, makeup and remover, some sort of behave-yourself hair product (gel, moose, varnish, putty, spray, etc).
And maybe:
conditioner, face cleanser and toner, more makeup and lip balm, shaving cream or other hair removal product, mouthwash, lotion, nail polish and remover, bubble bath and other bath products, massage oils and lubricants, and hair colour.
Most of these products contain chemicals to avoid like sulfates, parabens, preservatives and if scented, phtalates that don't need to be listed in the ingredients. Actually, even unscented products can contain fragrances to mask the smell of chemicals. These chemicals act as emulsifiers and as penetrating agents, as well as prolong fragrance life.
If you're wondering which of your products contain chemicals, enter the product name in the Skin Deep database and see for yourself. It will give you the ingredients in the product, if it's been tested or not and give you a level of toxicity. It feels like playing Russian roulette. Johnson & Johnson baby products for example, are terrifying. Which is why there's also a safety guide for children's products. This site was created by American lobbyists who call themselves the Environment Working Group and are working on a Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. It seems to be working since some companies have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics pledge, and American initiative. You can see the companies that have signed on here. In Canada and in the Europeean Union, cosmetics regulations are more strict, but there's still a long way to go to make them safe.
Changing your products can seem overwhelming. Start by thinking "multi-use". We don't need all these grooming products --their existence doesn't make them useful. In fact, some create problems we fix with other products. Take shampoo and conditioner for example. Most shampoos with sulfates strip you hair of its natural oils, which dries it out and makes it dull and unmanageable. We then use conditioner full of xenoestrogen to return its shine and softness. That's why our hair is in such bad condition when we stop --it's on hormonal withdrawal. That and we're still using stripping shampoo. Same goes for drying soap and hydrating lotions.
Here's what we really must use on a daily basis and the alternatives I've found:
a) Something to wash with. People used to wash with oil, and soap is made from lard so it shouldn't dry your skin. Also, our skin is the same everywhere so why use a different cleanser for your face? Here are soaps my family and I use.
Oatmeal baby soap. It's not just for babies and it lasts forever.
All in one cleanser. Mix one part soap with 4 parts water in a foaming bottle to make it last. I have it at every sink in the house.
Both these products come from the Ontario based company Bare Organics started by a mother who's child has overly sensitive skin. I order it through a friend or online. It's worth the shipping and if you have issues, questions or are not satisfied, you can talk to the owner directly.
I just ordered these handmade soaps from British-Columbia based Rocky Mountain Soap Company: the pumpkin (good for skin conditions), the goats milk (always very creamy), the Alpine and the Bar None. I'll let you know what I think of them.
b) Something to wash your hair with, and not every day. It's shampoos containing sulfates that force you to. Of course, if your hair gets stripped of it's natural oils every wash it will make it in excess to balance itself out. No conditioner is needed if your oils are left to work normally. This can take a week or longer. Hair withdrawal is hell but think of the freedom! In my case it's simple, I'm getting brand new undamaged hair. I use Burts Bees shampoo sold in most drugs stores.
c) Something to clean your teeth with. Toothpaste is filled with chemicals, yet alternatives are not great. Have you tried brushing your teeth with baking soda? It's absolutely disgusting. Nevertheless if you want, here's a homemade toothpaste recipe (scroll down to toothpaste). I'll let you know when I find something else.
d) Deodorant. Sweating is your body's natural way of getting rid of toxins. It's counter-productive to stop it considering the amount the toxins we ingest, but excessive stinky sweating is not acceptable. I started using Burst Bees deodorant instead of antiperspirant. It works most days unless I wear synthetic materials or if I'm dehydrated. It doesn't prevent sweating, so I ordered this one from Rocky Mountain, which was suggested by a friend.
e) Moisturizer (if your skin is dry). This is very simple. I use oil. When I go camping, I use olive oil. Why not? I need something to hydrate my skin and protect it from the elements. Oil does that very well. Since I know there's no product out there that will make my wrinkles disappear, I don't waste my money. If your skin is oily, good for you, it has it's own natural protection. Like with hair, if you stop stripping it, it might work well.
f) Make-up (if you're a women, or not). I've known for a long time that make-up is full of harsh somethings, since my face would break out and my eyes don't tolerate mascara. Think of waterproof mascara, what makes it waterproof? I rather not know. I found two brands of cosmetics without parabens or so I was told. One is Plant Love by Cargo and unfortunately, I don't remember the other one. I also use products from the new organic line from Cover girl (I can't find a link) and Burts Bees makes great lip glosses.
Of course, this list can get longer if you choose but you can use more natural alternatives and reduce your exposure to toxins and xenoestrogens. Really, that's a lot of products we use on your body every day, so if they all contain an "acceptable" amount of harmful toxins, how much are you absorbing then?
Sources
Campain for Safe Cosmetics
"Canadian Laws"
Sexy Hormones. F & W Ltd, Markham, 2007.
Smith, R. and B. Lourie. Slow Death By Rubber Duck, Toronto, Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2009.
Rocky Mountain Soap Company
"Elements to avoid"
September 21, 2009
Phthalates
I like to think of phthalates as the Monica Cruz of toxic chemicals--less famous than the sibling but just as striking, if not more so.
Phthalates are a grouping of more than a dozen xenoestrogens that can be inhaled or absorbed through skin, hair and nails. They have the same hormonal effects as Bisphenol A such as hormonal receptive cancers and estrogen dominant conditions, yet most people are unaware of their existence. Lab tests have proven that they also damage lungs (asthma anyone?), liver and kidneys in rats. In 2005, a scientist by the name of Swan published a report showing how phthalates are responsible for what she calls "demasculinization". More specifically, they cause the "phthalate syndrom", a conditions where male rats are born with abnormal genitals --then she proved it in humans in the US. Similarly, other scientists have shown that phthalates cause "testicular dysgenesis syndrome", which includes impaired sperm quality and testicular cancer.
Phthalates are used mostly as plasticizers, making plastics soft and flexible. They're also use to extend the life of fragrances and used as solvents in cosmetics. I'll let that sink in for a moment...
There are 3 main types of phthalates --I quote this directly from the Canadian Cancer Society's website:
1) DEHP (diethylhexyl phthalate) is the most common and is used mostly in PVC plastics. It can be found in vinyl products and in many medical plastics such as IV bags and tubes;
2) DINP (di-isononyl phthalate) is sometimes used in PVC plastics, including children’s toys. In Canada, other phthalates are more likely to be used in children’s toys;
3) DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate) are most often used in cosmetics.
Although the Canadian Cancer Society is cautious about the information it provides on BPA as previously states in my BPA post, it's definitely taking a clearer stand against phthalates, even urging people to contact their member of Parliament about it. The reason is phthalates are in pretty much everything, from medical tubing and saline bags to children's toys and shampoos. The American Chemistry Council will not only tell you they're safe, but fun as well! I'm not kidding, the tag line on their home page with the nice healthy landscape in the banner is "Performance, Convenience, Fun". They even tell us that conclusions drawn from lab test on animals are not transferable to people. But go to their "About Us" page and you'll see that they are composed of corporations and companies who all have a financial stake in your use of phthalates. Phthalates.com tells us they're safe too, just as the Biphenol.com site did with BPA (did I mention it's an initiative of the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates?). When it comes to cancer, the link between it and phthalates hasn't been proven without a shadow of a doubt yet but just like BPA, it fits in estrogen receptions in hormonal receptive cancers. So it's up to you to decide, but who are you going to trust, the Chemical Council or the Cancer Society?
Some of the products* that contain phthalates include:
All plastics #2, #4 and #5;
Cosmetics (make-up, deodorant, hair gel, shampoos and conditioners, body lotion, lubricants, soap, etc). "Fragrance" or "Perfumes" are often used for phthalates ingredients;
Toys (both the kid's kind and the sex kind);
Vinyl (shower curtains, furniture, clothing);
Flooring and building materials;
Medical supplies (blood and saline bags, drain tubes, picc lines, IVs);
Car interiors;
Fatty foods such as dairy, meats and processed foods (because they're fat soluble);
Laundry detergents,
Air fresheners;
Scented cleaning products;
Contaminated dust in your house (when they leach, they go in the air).
The danger is not only that phthalates are unavoidable, but that they easily leach out --they're not an integral part of the plastic or vinyl, but sit on top. Children are especially at risk of their effects with their developing cells and their nasty habit of putting everything in their mouth. Needless to say, this is all very terrifying. Think of how I feel about the picc line that was in my vein from my arm to my heart for 5 months, and the drains tubes under my skin after my mastectomy. So why is nothing being done about this real threat to our health? Well, the European Union has banned 6 phthalates in kids' toys and is working towards limiting their use in products coming in contact with foods. An anti-phthalate law will also come into effect in the US in 2009. It's a start.
The good news, like with BPA, is that phthalates leave the body very quickly so if we stopped being exposed to them tomorrow, we would be rid of them by the next day. There are a few things you can do to limit your exposure*:
Don't use plastic to store foods at all;
Choose foods that come in glass (oils, condiments, etc);
Dust you home, open your windows and change your furnace filter often;
Drive with the windows open;
Change your cosmetics;
Never use air fresheners;
Use frangrance free products as a rule.
The biggest thing you can do however is make noise about it --share what you know, ask companies about phthalates in their products and choose the alternatives.
*More on individual products and alternatives in future posts.
Sources
"Phthalates", Canadian Cancer Society
Phthalate Information Centre, The American Chemistry Council
Phthalates Information Centre Europe Website
Sexy Hormones. F & W Ltd, Markham, 2007.
Smith, R. and B. Lourie. Slow Death By Rubber Duck, Toronto, Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2009.
Phthalates are a grouping of more than a dozen xenoestrogens that can be inhaled or absorbed through skin, hair and nails. They have the same hormonal effects as Bisphenol A such as hormonal receptive cancers and estrogen dominant conditions, yet most people are unaware of their existence. Lab tests have proven that they also damage lungs (asthma anyone?), liver and kidneys in rats. In 2005, a scientist by the name of Swan published a report showing how phthalates are responsible for what she calls "demasculinization". More specifically, they cause the "phthalate syndrom", a conditions where male rats are born with abnormal genitals --then she proved it in humans in the US. Similarly, other scientists have shown that phthalates cause "testicular dysgenesis syndrome", which includes impaired sperm quality and testicular cancer.
Phthalates are used mostly as plasticizers, making plastics soft and flexible. They're also use to extend the life of fragrances and used as solvents in cosmetics. I'll let that sink in for a moment...
There are 3 main types of phthalates --I quote this directly from the Canadian Cancer Society's website:
1) DEHP (diethylhexyl phthalate) is the most common and is used mostly in PVC plastics. It can be found in vinyl products and in many medical plastics such as IV bags and tubes;
2) DINP (di-isononyl phthalate) is sometimes used in PVC plastics, including children’s toys. In Canada, other phthalates are more likely to be used in children’s toys;
3) DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate) are most often used in cosmetics.
Although the Canadian Cancer Society is cautious about the information it provides on BPA as previously states in my BPA post, it's definitely taking a clearer stand against phthalates, even urging people to contact their member of Parliament about it. The reason is phthalates are in pretty much everything, from medical tubing and saline bags to children's toys and shampoos. The American Chemistry Council will not only tell you they're safe, but fun as well! I'm not kidding, the tag line on their home page with the nice healthy landscape in the banner is "Performance, Convenience, Fun". They even tell us that conclusions drawn from lab test on animals are not transferable to people. But go to their "About Us" page and you'll see that they are composed of corporations and companies who all have a financial stake in your use of phthalates. Phthalates.com tells us they're safe too, just as the Biphenol.com site did with BPA (did I mention it's an initiative of the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates?). When it comes to cancer, the link between it and phthalates hasn't been proven without a shadow of a doubt yet but just like BPA, it fits in estrogen receptions in hormonal receptive cancers. So it's up to you to decide, but who are you going to trust, the Chemical Council or the Cancer Society?
Some of the products* that contain phthalates include:
All plastics #2, #4 and #5;
Cosmetics (make-up, deodorant, hair gel, shampoos and conditioners, body lotion, lubricants, soap, etc). "Fragrance" or "Perfumes" are often used for phthalates ingredients;
Toys (both the kid's kind and the sex kind);
Vinyl (shower curtains, furniture, clothing);
Flooring and building materials;
Medical supplies (blood and saline bags, drain tubes, picc lines, IVs);
Car interiors;
Fatty foods such as dairy, meats and processed foods (because they're fat soluble);
Laundry detergents,
Air fresheners;
Scented cleaning products;
Contaminated dust in your house (when they leach, they go in the air).
The danger is not only that phthalates are unavoidable, but that they easily leach out --they're not an integral part of the plastic or vinyl, but sit on top. Children are especially at risk of their effects with their developing cells and their nasty habit of putting everything in their mouth. Needless to say, this is all very terrifying. Think of how I feel about the picc line that was in my vein from my arm to my heart for 5 months, and the drains tubes under my skin after my mastectomy. So why is nothing being done about this real threat to our health? Well, the European Union has banned 6 phthalates in kids' toys and is working towards limiting their use in products coming in contact with foods. An anti-phthalate law will also come into effect in the US in 2009. It's a start.
The good news, like with BPA, is that phthalates leave the body very quickly so if we stopped being exposed to them tomorrow, we would be rid of them by the next day. There are a few things you can do to limit your exposure*:
Don't use plastic to store foods at all;
Choose foods that come in glass (oils, condiments, etc);
Dust you home, open your windows and change your furnace filter often;
Drive with the windows open;
Change your cosmetics;
Never use air fresheners;
Use frangrance free products as a rule.
The biggest thing you can do however is make noise about it --share what you know, ask companies about phthalates in their products and choose the alternatives.
*More on individual products and alternatives in future posts.
Sources
"Phthalates", Canadian Cancer Society
Phthalate Information Centre, The American Chemistry Council
Phthalates Information Centre Europe Website
Sexy Hormones. F & W Ltd, Markham, 2007.
Smith, R. and B. Lourie. Slow Death By Rubber Duck, Toronto, Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2009.
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