Personal Care Products
October 20, 2009
Do you like to lather up in the shower or relax in a hot bath of bubbles? Well, beware! Soaps may smell nice and of course, we all want to be clean. But according to Dr. Mercola, we really need to be cautious of what we are putting on the biggest organ of our body.
Check to see if your products contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) or their cousins like Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Myreth Sulfate which produce a lot of foam very inexpensively. SLS is so strong that it's used to scrub garage floors and it has been proven to cause cancer in the long run.
You may be thinking that your exposure to chemicals such as SLS is not that important. But did you know that SLS is found in most cleansing, foaming products and even in some toothpastes. Therefore, you are probably exposed to thousands of chemicals daily, many of which will surely accumulate in your body. Studies show it easily penetrates the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs, and brain. Add to this that SLS stays in the body for up to five days and you have the potential for toxic buildup in your body. If you do not eat properly and exercise regularly to rid your body of toxins, then your health will be at risk.
Years ago, a lady I knew made her own soap. It seemed like a lot of work to me; but, on the other hand, she didn't have to worry about SLS. I often look for natural products; but after reading this article, I now know what to avoid and will be a lot more careful about what I buy and use.
For more information, check out Dr. Mercola's site for the whole article entitled "Is Your Beauty Routine Causing Long-Term Health Damage?'