10 Synthetic Cosmetic Ingredients To Avoid

Many of us, especially the ladies are so engrossed as to what cosmetic products to buy. … (…for the sake of vanity?)  Here is another article I came across with which I thought I ought to share. This article and other similar ones (a lot are published on the web) should help us realize that we ought to know what kind of chemicals we are pampering our body with.

Many of these ingredients are contained in “Natural” personal care products.

1. Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea. These are the most commonly used preservatives after the parabens. They are well established as a primary cause of contact dermatitis (American Academy of Dermatology). Two trade names for these chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. Neither of the Germall chemicals have a good antifungal, and must be combined with other preservatives. Germall 115 releases formaldehyde at just over 10°. These chemicals are toxic.
2. Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben. Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Methyl paraben combines benzoic acid with the methyl group of chemicals. Highly toxic.
3. Petrolatum. Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly, and mineral oil causes a lot of problems when used on the skin—it can produce photosensitivity (i.e., promotes sun damage), and it tends to interfere with the body’s own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dry skin and chapping. You are being sold a product that creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is very cheap.
4. Propylene Glycol. Ideally this is a vegetable glycerine mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. Has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions.
5. PVP/VA Copolymer. A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, wavesets and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons.
6. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This synthetic substance is used in shampoos for its detergent and foam-building abilities. It causes eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions. It is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the parenthetic explanation “comes from coconut”.
7. Stearalkonium Chloride. A chemical used in hair conditioners and creams. Causes allergic reactions. Stearalkonium chloride was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, and is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which do help hair health. Toxic.
8. Synthetic Colors. The synthetic colors used to supposedly make a cosmetic “pretty” should be avoided at all costs, along with hair dyes. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6. Synthetic colors are believed to be cancer-causing agents. If a cosmetic has them in it, don’t use the cosmetic.
9. Synthetic Fragrances. The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on the label it will simply say “Fragrance”. Some of the problems caused by these chemicals are headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation, and the list goes on. Advice: Don’t buy a cosmetic that has the word “Fragrance” on the ingredients label.
10. Triethanolamine (TEA). Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH, and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

Look for natural ingredients in the products you buy. Do not use cosmetics that are artificially colored. Is the shampoo green or blue? Very likely it contains a coal-tar color. Does the product contain a synthetic fragrance? Don’t use it. Are any of the chemicals listed above on the ingredients label? Don’t use it. You may find out that some of your allergic problems will suddenly go away when you no longer use cosmetics with synthetics and petrochemicals.

Source: HealthGoods

Each person reacts differently to different ingredients.  Some of the products that we buy ususally contain some warnings on its labels, such as:  ‘This product may cause allergic reactions to certain individuals.’ Now, perhaps it is up to the consumer to decide which product is not compatible with his or her skin or hair type or to what product he or she is allergic to.   Happy cosmetiquing

Reducing Storm Water Pollution

This article covers things we can all do to reduce stormwater pollution.

Develop Greener Habits

By developing “greener” habits, we can all make a significant reduction to the amount of pollution in our water systems, just by the day-to-day things we do. Here are some excellent “green” habits to develop:

• Don’t litter! Place your litter in the bin. If there is no bin handy, carry your litter until you find one. If you smoke, carry a container for your cigarette butts.
• Sweep up leaves from gutters and rake up leaves from the garden. Rake up grass clippings too. Add leaves and grass to your compost heap if you have one. Note: Don’t hose your gutters and driveway – sweep them instead.
• Wash your car on the lawn so that the water can soak into the grass (and not into the stormwater system).
• Reduce fertiliser and chemical use on your garden.
• Pick up your dog’s faeces and either flush them down the toilet or put them on the compost heap.
• Clean paint brushes over the lawn if using water based paint. If using oil based paint, keep the paint and turps clear of gutters and drains. Reuse the turps.
• Take unneeded oils and paints to a recycling facility.

Water Sensitive Urban Design

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is an approach to urban design that minimises the impact of stormwater on the natural environment. It refers to the way we design our houses and other buildings.

WSUD emphasises a more decentralised approach to traditional methods of collecting and managing rainwater. Using WSUD, rainwater stays on site and can be re-used, or it eventually filters through the ground and into our waterways in a more natural way.

WSUD ensures that our rainwater collection is more attuned to the natural environment.

Here are some great WSUD techniques you can use at your own home or workplace:

• Install rainwater tanks and other recycling devices. This reduces the amount of rainwater leaving your property and flowing through the stormwater system. Re-use the collected water for toilet flushing, laundry, and watering the garden.
• Use temporary storage areas to trap rainwater and prevent it from leaving your property. Storage areas could include driveways, carparks, gardens etc. This is referred to as On-site Stormwater Detention (OSD).
• Avoid using hard paving around your garden area. The more hard paving, the more water will run away from your garden and into the stormwater system.
• Recycle grey water. Washing and shower water is grey water. You can use this water to flush toilets and water the garden.

Source: Natural Environment