The Cancer That Is In Your Home Right Now

More aptly, the killer that is in your home right now and you might have used it this morning, dousing your family’s bodies with carcinogens without you even knowing it! If you haven’t had the chance to examine your skincare products closely—perhaps doing a little research about all those scientific terms that only the manufacturers could understand– then you might be a victim of consumer misinformation. Don’t fret though, since you are not alone.

When it comes to our families, we should know that safety should always come first before anything else. The problem is, due to the kind of life we are living now where stopping to smell the flowers is already considered a crime, we rely on the things we hear and see through media. More often than not, media tends to be a manipulating tool. Whenever there is manipulation, expect deceit to be in close proximity as well.

We have seen its effects, not only to our bodies but to the environment as well. To humans, if we are lucky, we get as little as a rash but to a compromised, vulnerable body, you get cancer—the most deadly condition to date. As we go suffering from these so-called “skincare products”, the environment has its own set of problems to contend with due to the usage of these chemical laden products. For one, most of these chemicals are nonbiodegradable which means their composition wouldn’t normally breakdown. Although they won’t clog your sewage system as they are miniscule in size, just imagine what it can do to our underwater friends. It’s like putting poisonous gas in the air you breathe. Here’s a list of commonly used skincare products at home:

·    Alcohol
·    Mineral makeups
·    Mineral oil
·    Synthetic colors and fragrances
·    Talc
·    Triclosan

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Breast Cancer causing carcinogens in every day beauty products

According to a report by the Environmental Working Group 80% of our cosmetics including deodorants, shaving creams, shampoos and toothpaste contain 146 chemicals linked to cancer.

According to the report 1 in 13 women and 2 out of 23 men are exposed to carcinogens everyday through their use of personal care products.  This same report has caused the Breast Cancer Action (BCA) and the Breast Cancer Fund to hold protests in Washington to urge the government to better regulate and provide health care guidelines to manufacturers and producers of such products.

While manufacturers of these products say that their products contain minuscule amounts of these chemicals, most of us use more than one product at the same time.  In a single day, most of us brush our teeth 3 times a day, wash our hair once, use soap to bathe, put on deodorant, wear lipstick and make up and a host of other things we need in order to keep clean.  This multiplies our exposure to dangerous and toxic chemicals.

Breast cancer activists have cautioned women (and men) to be wary of products containing parabens, a substance found in biopsied breast cancer tumors and phthalates found in fragrances.  Women are also cautioned against products used on the skin as our skin is our body’s largest organs.

The public is advised to patronize products which contain ingredients which have been certified by third party watch groups like the UHDA Organic, BDIH, ECOCERT and the National Product Association

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Health Risks of Petroleum Derivates in Cosmetic Products

Cosmetic industry, today, is closely related to petroleum as a number of ingredients used in beauty products are derived from petroleum. Creams, moisturizers, balms, gels, cleansers, soaps, and several toiletry products all carry one or more petroleum-based chemicals. And these petroleum derivatives are anything but safe for human health!

One of the main culprits in petroleum-based ingredients in cosmetics is propylene glycol – an additive used in shampoos, conditioners, and paints etc. Propylene glycol may cause annoying symptoms ranging from irritation of the respiratory tract and nausea to serious health problems like disorders of the liver and/or kidneys. Equally hazardous to health are isopropyl alcohols that are petroleum-derived antiseptics, also used for removing the waxy layer left on the skin by mineral oil used in skin care products. Isopropyl alcohols rob the skin of its natural moisture, rendering it dry and vulnerable to cracking; thus it allows microbes an inlet to enter the user’s blood and cause infections.

Even more alarming are the findings of a few studies that link petroleum-derived agents to cancer. Most notable of these derivatives is a carcinogenic remnant 1, 4-dioxane (C4H8O2) that is present in over 20 percent of cosmetics and toiletry products commonly used in some localities, 1, 4-dioxane has been shown to cause cancer in animals and hence it is potentially a serious threat to human health.

Parabens, derived from petroleum, are used as preservatives in a large number of cosmetic products. They have been found to cause premature aging of skin and hormonal abnormalities, and may even promote cancer, particularly breast cancer in women. There is some research-based evidence that continual exposure to parabens, during or shortly before pregnancy, can result in less fertile babies. There is particularly a greater risk for male babies who are likely to have a lower sperm count if exposed to parabens in vivo.

Many other adverse health effects are associated with petroleum-based chemicals used in cosmetics: ovarian problems in women; impairment of immune system; hormonal abnormalities and miscarriages; poor skin condition and acne; and many others – you name it and it is there. However, few cosmetic companies warn the consumers of their products’ health risks through safety labels on the containers. Obviously, the commercial interest involved far exceeds consumer health for cosmetic manufacturers.

So what are your alternatives? None other than the organically manufactured cosmetic products containing essential oils and non-toxic organic content that is health-friendly. Also important to remember is the fact cosmetics in plastic containers are less safe than those packed in wood and/or glass containers. Next time, on your visit to the cosmetic store, you should be wary of petroleum-based ingredients. Ask for natural organic beauty products. After all, health is the most perfect beauty of life.

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