Look Good Feel Better Program

Hi everyone,

The author of Toxic Beauty, Samuel S Epstein wrote in his book: "In 1989 a new program was started called the Look Good Feel Better program. It had the nobel-sounding goal of teaching breast cancer patients techniques to help restore their appearance and self image. The program gives away more than 1 million cosmetics and personal-care products each year to about 30,000 breast cancer patients. In 2005 Samuel Epstein examined the ingredients in the Look Good Feel Better products. Ten of the twelve products contained toxic ingredients. Estee Lauder's Light Source Transforming Moisture Lotion, Chanel's Sheer Lipstick, and Merle Norman Eye Color, for example, all contain ingredients incriminated as carcinogenic, contaminated with carcinogens, or demonstrated to be precursors of carcinogens." Does this make any logic sence to anyone? Read your labels!!

People and the Earth Deserve the very best!
Cheers,
Karen

Toxic Ingredients: A look at Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol is a colorless, nearly odourless liquid used in some personal care products such as shampoo. It is used as a humectant(absorbs moisture) as well as a preservative. Many ingredients in personal care products are functional outside the personal care arena. Propylene Glycol is one such ingredient. It is also used as a component in automotive antifreezes and plane de-icers. It is produced from propylene oxide at high temperatures or at lower temperatures using sulphuric acid. Propylene oxide is a probably human carcinogen(cancer causer). Even though propylene oxide is less toxic than its' carcinogenic alternative ethylene glycol, it still can cause a host of potential health risks. It causes skin irritation, tearing, burning, and at higher doses it causes nausea and diarrhea. Stay away!!

People and the Earth Deserve the very Best!
Cheers!
Karen

Toxic Ingredients: A look at SLS and SLES

A couple common cleaning agents (otherwise known as surfactants or detergents) found in many personal care products like shamoo are the dreaded SLS and SLES. Sodium Lauryl sulphate(SLS) is the combination of sulphuric acid, lauryl alcohol, and sodium salt. Lauryl alchohol is derived from coconut or palm kernel oil through a couple of steps, esterification and reduction. SLS can be converted to SLES via a step called ethoxylation. Ethoxylation is a process where SLS is mixed with ethylene oxide and potassium hydroxide in a reactor, pressurized and heated to 150 degrees Celsius. In this process of conversion a substance 1,4-Dioxane can be produced. The U.S. Protection Agency lists 1,4-Dioxane as a carcinogen. In 2002, David Steinman, co-author of a Safe Shopper's Bible, purchased 24 baby products and had them tested for two known carcinogens 1,4-Dioxane and ethylene oxide. 18 out of the 24 products contained both carcinogens. The food and drug administration encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4-Dioxane but it it not required by federal law. Lovely!!

Read you Labels!!

Karen. People and the Earth Deserve the very Best!!