26/11/2014
On average women add more than 200 chemicals to their skin daily, with more than 60% of these being absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Combine this with chemicals found in hair care and dental hygiene products, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate and it’s little wonder more and more people are searching for a natural solution.
There are many products labelled as ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ that still contain Sulfates.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (commonly known as SLS) is a widely used and inexpensive chemical found in many mainstream personal hygiene products such as shampoos, toothpastes, mouthwashes, bodywash, soaps, detergents and body wash , along with Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Ammonium Laurel Sulfate (ALS).
SLS is a detergent and surfuctant which essentially means it breaks surface tension which separates molecules and allows better interaction between the product and your hair for instance. This in turn creates a lather which makes products such as shampoo and toothpaste more effective cleaners. So effective and so inexpensive is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate that it’s found in a number of industrial cleaning agents such as engine degreaser and industrial strength detergents. It is also widely used as a skin irritant when testing products used to heal skin irritations.
Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate A Danger?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is also a concern as in some circumstances it can become contaminated with Dioxane. This largely depends on the manufacturing process. Dioxane is a suspected carcinogen and last much longer in our bodies, primarily because the liver cannot metabolize it effectively. While it’s considered less of a skin irritant when compared to SLS there are underlying concerns over it’s continued use in cosmetic products.
More Than Just A Skin Irritant?
In addition to skin irritation, there are studies that point to residual levels of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in the brain, lungs, liver, and heart. These levels follow the use of SLS used externally on the scalp and skin, and in the mouth as an ingredient in toothpaste. There are some findings that link the ingredient to a hormone imbalance. Symptoms such as PMS and PMT and menopausal symptoms are tied to hormone levels. There has been a lower rate of male fertility reported in some cases, particularly in western countries however this is as yet unsubstantiated. Because SLS mimics Oestrogen, it is possible it may play a role in these types of health issues. The concern here is while it’s generally considered safe to use at 1% over time the amount absorbed by the bloodstream can mean residual levels in your body are much higher.
The National Institute of Health publication “Household Products Directory” lists Sodium Lauryl Sulfate as a chemical ingredient in more than 80 products! Some household soaps have a concentration measurement as high as 30 percent. This level is considered unsafe and a likely cause of skin irritation. SLS is also found in Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Makeup, body wash and shampoos.
for products that do not contain these harmful chemicals
www.abundancehealth.myneways.com.au
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