Shower gels... What if they weren't as clean as we think ?

Hello my little bees !
Today, I'd like to talk about shower gels, shampoos, conditioners.. All the products we use to clean our bodies. Unfortunately, these products are not as clean themselves as we might think.. And by using them everyday, our bodies slowly absorbs these chemicals’ cocktails.

Health consequences are not harmless. Progression of hormonal cancers, chronical diseases and allergies are proof. In the mean time, fertility decreases, neurobehavioral disorders increases and new diseases appear. According to World Health Organization, it's the cause of 63% of deaths in the world. And of course, we can't ignore the impact on our beautiful planet.

 Let's get into it. I wanted to make you a little list of the products you should be avoiding. However, as I was doing my research, I realized that a « little list » was unrealistic…

1. Alkylphenol

(nonylphenol ; nonoxynol ; octylphenol ; O-phénylphenol ; propylphenol ; amylphenol ; heptylphenol, dodécylphenol ; methylphenol ; ethylpenol ; 4-tert-octylphenol)

Alkylphenol is present in detergents, cosmetics, cleaning products and a lot of industrial products.
Let alone the fact that alkylphenol is destroying the ocean, it has an impact on fertility and the foetus.. It can alter homones, reproductive organs et stimulate breast cancerous cells.
Besides, some spermicides and condoms are made with it.


2. BHA

(E320)
BHA is an antioxydant and preservative used in food, food packaging and cosmetics. Studies have shown that it affects rats' hormones and reproductive system.


3. Titanium dioxyde

(Titanium dioxide (nano), Oxyde de titane, bioxyde de titane, E171, TiO2, CI77891)
It's a chemical additive used to whiten and pigment. We can find it in solar creams, toothpaste, cosmetics and candy. TiO2 could have an impact on cancer, stress and lungs. Studies have been made on this topic, although they haven't been fully evaluated.

4. Glycol ether

(2-phenoxyéthanol (EGphE) ; phenoxytol)
Glycol ether is used in paint, glue, ink and polish. It’s also used in cleaning products, cosmetics and medication. It’s a solvant for conservative like paraben.
It provoks allergies and eczema. During pregnancy, it can affect the fœtus and lead to neurotoxic effects as well as neurological disorders.

5. UV filters

(benzophenone-3, 2-benzoyl-5-methoxyphenol ; 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone ; (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) phenylmethanone ; methanone, (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) phenyl- ; (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) phenyl- methanone ; oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) ; oxybenzone 6; methanone, (2hydroxy4methoxyphenyl) phenyl ; b3 ; durascreen ; solaquin ; benzotriazolyl)

These filters used in cosmetics are allergens, reproductive system disruptor and affect the environment.

A study from the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, showed in 2015 that a low oxybenzone's concentration are enough to affect coral larvae. They can't fix themselves anymore and take an abnormal form. The coral becomes white and dies.
According to Craig Downs, the researcher who made the study, the coral located in crowded beaches is exposed to doses 12 times superior of the harmfulness threshold. 6000 to 14000 tons of solar cream are spilled on the coral every year worldwide.


6. Formaldehyde
(Formol ; Formalin ; Formic aldehyde ; Paraform ; Methanal ; Methyl aldehyde ; Methylene oxide ; Oxymethylene ; Oxomethane ; DMDM hydantoin ; Diazolidinyl urea ; Imidazolidinyl urea, Methenamine ; quarternium-15)

According to IARC, formol is carcinogenic when inhaled and burns the eyes. Formol in the cosmetics, evaporate under a gaz form which is inhaled by the consumers. It’s mostly replaced by paraben, but it's toxic for us too. We can only find formol in nail polish now.


7. Dimethicone
(Dimethicone ; Cetyl dimethicone copolyol ; Phenyl trimethicone ; Stearyl dimethicone)

Dimethicone is mostly found in creams, shampoo and lipstick. Better then mineral oils, it's still harmful to the environment, so our health.
Dimethicone found in the shampoo could choke the scalp.


8. Paraben

(E214 to E219 ; butylparaben ; methylparaben ; ethylparaben ; propylparaben ; pentylparaben ; isopropylparaben ; isobutylparaben ; benzylparaben ; phénylparaben ; N-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate (E216) ; P-hydroxybenzoate ; N-butyl p-hydroxybenzoate ; Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate ; Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (E218)

Paraben is used in cosmetics, food and medication because of its antibacterial properties. Indeed, it's a preservative that can destroy the development of mold due to the water-oil combination.
Before, paraben were used to replace formol judged dangerous.

Paraben is an allergen and contributes to skin aging with the sun. Unfortunately, our bodies can assimilate paraben very easily.
A few studies have shown that paraben is interfering with homones and reproductive system.


9. Glycol polyethen

(PEG-6 ; PEG-8 ; PEG-40 ; PEG-100 ; PEG-150)

Glycol polyethen is used in cosmetics as a skin’s surfactant.

Let alone the fact it's extremely polluting, it contains a lot of toxic impurities.  That's why it's not recommended for people with damaged skin. They’re carcinogenic, and expose women to breast cancer.



10. Perfluorinated components
Used as non-sticking coating for cooking pans, clothing, packaging and cosmetics. In 2009, a danish study denounced them as one of the reason of sperm number decrease.

11. Phthalates

(Fragrance ; Diisodecylphtalate (DIDP)

Phtalates made with oil, are used as a cosmetic fragrance. Masked under the name « fragrance », the components appear undefined in the composition of cosmetic products.
Phthalates appear to alter reproductive system, leading to early puberty, organs’ malformation, obesity and breast/testicle's cancer.

12. Sodium Laureth Sulfate

(Sodium Laureth Sulfate ; Sodium Lauryl Sulfate ; Laurylsulfate de Sodium ; SLS)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate are mosty used in soaps, shampoos, detergents, toothpaste... They are foaming agents.

The problem is that Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a powerful component used by mecanicians to clean cars' engine. Indeed, it's a cheap and effective detergent. In laboratories, this component is manipulated with gloves to protect the skin. And yet, it's in a lot of soaps and shampoos. If used frequently, it takes away skin protection and exposes it to diseases. It attacks the scalp by itching and helps the formation of dandruff and can lead to loss of hair.
Our bodies absorbs sodium laureth sulfate and leads to homonal problems and also breast cancer. It's not recommanded for children either because it can affect eye development.

13. Triclosan
(Cloxifenolum, Irgasan, Lexol 300, Aquasept, Gamophen, TCL, DP300, Trichlorine-2)
Triclosan has been used for 30 years as and antibacterial agent and preservative. We can mostly find it in soaps, toothpaste, shaving cream…
Trisclosan is garbage for the environment because it degrades itself in toxic, carcinogenic and persitants components.
It also alters thyroid's functioning as well as heart functioning. A study from the National Institute of Environmental Health Science showed that Triclosan had been found in blood, urin and maternal milk.
Because of these alarming results, U.S Food & Drug Association and U.S Environmental Protection Agency had reevaluate the safety of the product.

Is it worth it ? How can we take a shower without endangering our health and the environment ? What about the animals ?