becoming Eco-friendly.....

Lately, In our household we have been passionate about living earth-friendly and what that looks like for our family on a daily basis. We want our daily actions to have a positive impact on ourselves, our children and our environment. This has inspired us to do somethings differently around our home. We already read the ingredients label of most the foods we consume careful to eat as many wholefoods as possible but we haven't been reading the labels of our beauty/various household products. And I'm amazed at what I have been finding!!
The skin on our bodies is the largest organ, it is living, breathing and everything we apply to the skin absorbs directly into our bloodstream. Yet, so many of the products we use daily on our skin have not been tested safely and worse most are filled with dangerous toxins and chemicals. Obviously, the use of such products won't cause harm after one use but over time quite possibly they will. Think about how many products you use on your skin while showering, bathing and/or your general "getting ready" routine that contain these chemicals (ones listed below). Not only are they harmful to our bodies they are then disposed into our water. Below is list of commonly used ingredients that I found that are harmful to our bodies and the environment;

Coal Tar: is a known carcinogen used in dandruff shampoos. Coal-tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1 are used in toothpastes and FD&C Green 3 are used in mouthwash.
Fragrance: the term is used to mask other ingredients, such as phthalates, which disrupts the endocrine system and could cause reproductive and developmental harm.
Hydroquinone: Commonly found in facial moisturizers; it's a neurotoxin and is allergenic.
Aluminum: used in eye shadow or deodorants, it is a carcinogenic, toxic, and mutagenic.
Triclosan: used in almost all antibacterial products, as well as soap, toothpaste and cosmetics. Triclosan is often contaminated with dioxins, which are highly carcinogenic and can weaken our immune system, decrease fertility and cause birth defects.
P-Phenylenediamine: is used in hair dyes. It can damage your nervous system, cause lung irritation and cause severe allergic reactions.
Lead & Mercury: can appear in toothpaste as a natural occurring contaminant of hydrated silica. It is a neurotoxin that appears as lead acetate in men's hair dye. Mercury is found in a cosmetic preservative called thimerosol.
Ready for some more......these chemicals can create the formation of carcinogenic chemicals called nitrosamines.
Cocamide DEH
Lauramide DEA
Cocamide MEA
Triethanolamine TEA
Diethanolamine DEA
As if this isn't enough. Then there is mineral oil which coats the skin like plastic and doesn't allow it to breath. Parabens (methyl-,ethyl-,propyl,butyl,isobutyl-) which are a chemical preservatives that have been identified as estrogenic and disruptive of normal hormone functions. Phthalates is a synthetic chemical know to cause a broad range of birth defects and lifelong reproductive impairment in lab animals exposed during pregnancy and after birth. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) This is a foaming agent that could be carcinogenic and is used in brake fluid and antifreeze as well as a huge variety of skin care products, including toothpaste, shampoo, bubble path and soap. Benzyl Alcohol is a petrochemical that can cause severe eye irritation and the repository system.

I will stop now (even though I could add a few more to the list). Because, I'm sure many of you are thinking she has gone mad...stop this crazyness now....but I can't and I won't. But, do check out this website www.safecosmetics.org You can acually type in your product and get the scoop on it by using Skin Deep, the company's cosmetic safety database.
I'm happy to report I been finding some really great alternative beauty/household products that will be replacing our not so friendly products. More on that to come!! For now, it's the one tiny change a day that will makes a difference.