Most shampoos, facial creams, makeup, nail polish, carpets, processed foods--almost everything is filled with toxic chemicals.
You can go to skindeep.com to check out some of the brands you use.
If you can't read the names of the ingredients on the bottle or can't pronounce them and you don't know what they are chances are it's a chemical that is untested on humans and it harmful.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Check your shampoos. I'd be willing to bet that MANY contain the same chemicals.
There are no laws governing what is put in our cosmetics, make-up, lotions, body washes, and shampoos.
I like Aubrey Organics for shampoos and skin cleansers.
Vitacost has them and they are not expensive.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Scorpio... you have birthday greetings in GS.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Yes do check them. Even the ones that claim to be natural and safe have caustic chemicals in them.
You can check some of them on skindeep.com
Max Green Alchemy is a good product line and shampoo. Nothing bad in it.
I use Aubrey Organics too, thanks to Lymetoo's recommendation! It is not expensive either.
For makeup, etc - I believe Origins make up is ok - as far as no parabens. I didn't research too much detail other than that though.
Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
J&J is the worst!
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
We use mostly organic stuff too... but I just thought since it's for BABIES I would think J&J would be more careful! Sheesh!!
Oh thank you Tutu! I will go look. Posted by nenet (Member # 13174) on :
I agree Skin Deep ( www.ewg.org/skindeep/ ) is great! When they do have good research info on an ingredient it is very useful.
You do have to watch out for ingredients with "data gaps" though. Sometimes you need to keep digging and not just assume that an item is safe when there is a data gap.
For those looking for alternatives that aren't green-washed (pretending to be all-natural, non-synthetic),
California Baby has a very good line of shampoos and conditioners - I've even used them myself.
Aubrey Organics is great, but for those of us with gluten sensitivities, it can be difficult to use many of their products as they use wheat germ oil in many items (if you have skin sensitivity like me). Their GPB conditioner is terrific if you can tolerate wheat germ oil.
100 Percent Pure is a wonderful brand as well - love their products, no animal testing at all, and mostly certified-organic ingredients. Great skin care and lotions, and even great cosmetics. Great company ethic.
Another very good brand is Griffin Remedy (I love their shampoo and lotions).
Also Dr. Bronner's, of course - lots of certified-organic to choose from, and a wonderful company ethic.
Arcona has really nice skincare products but is very very pricey, and you have to read each item's ingredients as some of them have synthetic ingredients and some don't.
So far, I've still had trouble finding completely good synthetic chemical-free hair conditioners that don't have wheat germ oil (gluten). If anyone has any suggestions I would be grateful.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- It is not easy to find any hair or shower product that does not contain wheat. I am celiac and seem to do okay with mine (Avalon Organics brand) that contains wheat germ but would rather it not be there.
For a hair conditioner, if after the shower, how about just a drop of a nice oil rubbed into the palms of your hands and then onto your hair, just not at the roots? Just a drop will go a long way if you have fine hair. Thicker hair would need more.
Although, for longer hair, it's nice to put on just a touch in the shower and then comb out with a wide toothed comb to de-tangle.
Would just a tiny bit of a safe hand or body lotion work (isn't that basically what conditioner is, anyway)? Again, though, not on the root parts as they tend to soak up oil and they don't need the conditioning as much as the outgrowth.
After rinsing, this may leave you with just the right degree of conditioning. -
Posted by penguingirl (Member # 28688) on :
Coconut oil might work as a conditioner?
Posted by nenet (Member # 13174) on :
Thanks Keebler and penguin!
I've been thinking about using oils for a while now, but never get around to it. Unfortunately it might not work on my super-long and super-flat, straight, fine hair. Maybe it's time for me to chop the locks?
I did just look up Abxnomore's suggestion of Max Green Alchemy and found their shampoo & conditioner have no wheat! I'm excited to try them out.
They cost twice as much as my Griffin Remedy stuff, but if they have less irritation for me, that's what matters. If they used *Organic (non-GMO)* hydrolyzed soy protein I would be in thrilled.
GMO (Round-up Ready) Soy (like 95% of the soy grown today) is super-nasty, but there always seems to be need for a compromise in food and body care, until at least the GMO issue is no more.
Posted by nenet (Member # 13174) on :
Thanks Keebler and penguin!
I've been thinking about using oils for a while now, but never get around to it. Unfortunately it might not work on my super-long and super-flat, straight, fine hair. Maybe it's time for me to chop the locks?
I did just look up Abxnomore's suggestion of Max Green Alchemy and found their shampoo & conditioner have no wheat! I'm excited to try them out.
One reviewer even said they had trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling), and the Max Green shampoo immediately lessened their impulse to pull! That's very interesting, and makes me wonder how much of OCD anxiety behaviors might have a chemical or infectious basis to them (many of the ingredients are anti-microbial/yeast/etc.).
They cost twice as much as my Griffin Remedy stuff, but if they have less irritation for me, that's what matters. If they used *Organic (non-GMO)* hydrolyzed soy protein I would be thrilled.
GMO (Round-up Ready) Soy (like 95% of the soy grown today) is super-nasty, but there almost always seems to be a problem like this in food and body care, until at least the GMO issue is no more.
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
quote:Originally posted by penguingirl: Coconut oil might work as a conditioner?
It's great of deep conditioning or if you have dandruff... but not as a daily conditioner. To greasy.
I henna my hair so I don't really use a conditioner. Don't need to.
Posted by nenet (Member # 13174) on :
scorpiogirl - cool, I henna too (with some indigo)! I love it, but it's hard to do by myself as often as I need to. My hair is at least 3 feet long, which adds to the difficulty as well.
I think between Lyme treatment and henna-ing, my hair was finally able to start growing in and longer again. I recall at the beginning I had a bunch of new growth kind of sticking up at the top - I looked like a baby bird, hehe!
Posted by Healing in Santa Cruz (Member # 7798) on :
Be sure the Hennas u use r organic. Many r sprayed with pesticides.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Nenet, Max Green shampoo and conditioner are very thick and it lasts a long time, so you may find that's it's really not more expensive. Just a small amount goes a long way.
Posted by nenet (Member # 13174) on :
Healing in Santa Cruz - Good point. I use Mehandi Henna, which does lab tests for contaminants on every batch of Henna (even some Organic plants get contamination from neighboring farms, etc.).
Also many brands aren't true Henna plant but are made with harsh chemicals and harmful salts. Good idea to only get the pure Henna stuff and be sure it's as clean as possible.
Abxnomore - good to know. I'm looking forward to trying it out the next time I order shampoo.
Posted by Garden (Member # 31671) on :
I'll have to check out the site. I used to use Calfornia Baby for the kids, but then the older one needed deeper conditioning. We use Fairy Tales now - it is suppsoed to be non-toxic (??) and some of the products are supposed to repel lice (using rosemary). They also make non-toxic lice treatments.
For my hair, I use Desert Organics. They are gluten-free (I always read labels for gluten - so many nice natural products contain "wheat protein" NO GOOD!)
We use SLS-free, paraben-free products, and just do the best we can.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
The Aubrey Organics shampoos I have do not have wheat germ in them. I have several products from them and all are OK.
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
quote:Originally posted by nenet: scorpiogirl - cool, I henna too (with some indigo)! I love it, but it's hard to do by myself as often as I need to. My hair is at least 3 feet long, which adds to the difficulty as well.
I think between Lyme treatment and henna-ing, my hair was finally able to start growing in and longer again. I recall at the beginning I had a bunch of new growth kind of sticking up at the top - I looked like a baby bird, hehe!
LOL at the baby bird visual!! But I know what you mean b/c I got bangs too from all the new growth!! Hahaa.
I added Indigo last winter but for this spring/summer I only henna'ed. My hair was down to my back for most of my life. Then I got Lyme and the hair became so dry and frizzy so I chopped 12 inches off!! Makes henna-ing so much easier now.
I'm debating on whether or not I want to add Indigo again... but right now I'm loving the color! So I might just leave it alone.
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
I just discovered that my shampoo and conditioner both contain wheat and soy proteins. I'm allergic to both wheat and soy. I use the Avalon Organics brand (same as Keebler).
Does anyone know of a shampoo and conditioner that is free of BOTH wheat and soy?? I see from above that a lot of them are gluten free, but then they still have soy protein.
I've heard that soy protein is usually the main active ingredient in most organic conditioners, so I'm guessing it's gonna be hard to find a hypo-allergenic conditioner. That sucks, because my hair is long and difficult to comb.
Do you guys think that it affects the immune system when we use shampoos that contain allergens that we are allergic to? Or do you think it's not a big deal?
Keebles&Bits: I'm surprised you are using one that contains wheat, when you have celiacs. Have you considered trying a different brand? I also like Avalon Organics, and I thought they were the best... until now that I'm allergic to basically everything.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Thanks for the suggestion, but I looked at the ingredients, and both the shampoo and conditioner on that page contain soy protein.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Your right. I splurged tonight and had a lot of wine and stayed up late. I was thinking gluten, not exactly the same thing!
Sorry. Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Try this one. I read the ingredients twice but my brain is wine soaked. Check it:
Abxnomore - thanks for the help! How come you're able to drink so much? Are you in remission? Are you off abx? Don't you have a yeast problem? What's the trick?
Concerning the "natural" shampoos and conditioners: I think I'm gonna stay away from all of them right now. All of them seem to have over 20 ingredients, and they all seem to be full of chemicals! They say that the chemicals are "derived from plants", but dang, I think we're being a little naive if we think that it's safe to put "GUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE" and "DISODIUM COCO-GLUCOSIDE CITRATE" on our skin because they're "derived from plants".
I think I'm just gonna try using Bronner's Magic Liquid Soaps on my hair from now on. It should work, right? Has anyone here tried that? Well, I'm gonna try it, and I'll report here if I notice any negative side effects.
And as for the conditioner - I think I'll just stop using conditioners. I ain't no wuss. So what if it takes me a little longer to comb my hair.
So on this National Bank Transfer Day, as I move my assets from the bank to the credit union, I shall also move my hairs away from the conditioners.
(Psssst: Alice: That last line would make a good siggy one day, huh? ).
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Yes I have been well since 2003.
Here's another option. They have shampoos bars and the soaps are great, too. It's the only soap I use. You will recognize all of these ingredients:
Good for you for participating in National Bank Transfer Day!
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
I just have to say that so far the bronner's liquid soaps have been working just as well as any shampoo for my hair. I haven't found any problems with using it.
At first I thought maybe it wouldn't lather. I thought maybe that's why people are convinced that they need "special" shampoos made specifically for hair. But in reality, the bronner's soap lathers better than any shampoo I've ever used.
I'm baffled that somehow we are all into thinking that we need a "special" soap made especially for hair. Who ended up teaching us these things? How many of you have actually tried using a natural liquid soap for your hair, before deciding that it doesn't work?
I encourage you all to try using bronner's liquid soaps for your hair, and you will see for yourself that it performs just as well as any "specially made" shampoos. My hair is just as pretty as it was when I was using the more toxic shampoos. It's definitely just as clean (if not cleaner, since I'm not using so many chemicals or allergens). And my hair is definitely still sexy when it blows in the wind.
So much for Johnson & Johnson. Those guys are so pathetic, I don't know which one to laugh at first. FNA.
From now on, I'm not even gonna call it "Bronner's soap" anymore. I'm just gonna call it "Pimp". So when people ask me why I smell like lavender and tea tree oil, I'm gonna tell them: "That stuff is Pimp, man. Keep it real."
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
I used the Dr. Bronner's soap for a while on my hair, and found it really dried it up pretty bad, whereas the shampoo I use does not do that.
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
I wish my brain was soaked with wine and not lyme. Oh well.
What is the world coming to when you can't trust Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo?
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Using soap for shampoo on an on -going basis will dry out your hair and ruin the texture and appearance of it.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Abxnomore: Using soap for shampoo on an on -going basis will dry out your hair and ruin the texture and appearance of it.
- That's what I was going to say. Soap in general is very drying and not good for our skin or hair.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
In general yes and especially the commercially made stuff but it depends on the quality and how it is processed. This brand is really fine stuff made with wonderful ingredients, very moisturizing. Been using it for two years and won't use anything else.
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
I think you guys are right. My hair has been dryer than usual ever since I started using Pimp.
But don't worry: we'll figure out a solution soon. Trust me. I think maybe sometime I'll try mixing some coconut oil into the mixture.
I bet you Pimp mixes very well with coconut oil.
All I know is that when I get done with them, I'm gonna make the first Johnson my *****, and the second one my ho. That's what I'm sayin.
Posted by Blackstone (Member # 9453) on :
One of the very best brands I've found is "Keys Soap". Check them out at http://www.keys-soap.com
On SkinDeep they are one of the few brands that constantly rate from 0-2 for just about everything. Their "Mangrove" shampoo and conditioner line is excellent - not only does it have simple ingredients, but its foaming pump formula makes it easy to lather. I've not found a company that has safer products out there; they're an independent organization instead of a subsidiary of a major corporate empire. Their products also actually work really well and feel great; something that sometimes has to be compromised in finding safer cosmetics.I also use a handful of products from other companies, but Keys is a great place to start for any sort of cosmetic, without hunting through a line to find their "safe" and high quality items separate from the overpriced sludge. They're also relatively affordable; on the same level as many other "salon"-level products and WAY below department-store and boutique lines.
I recently used my Amazon account to order some "Prevage" brand cosmetics (body lotion, eye gel etc...) for a friend at her request. For those who are unsure, Prevage products can easily run $100 for a single product. Its amazing how many toxic fillers are included in couture-level cosmetics. I think I counted 5 different parabens in their body lotion. One would think that at the 3-figure range that if you're paying $400 for purified alpha-lipoic-acid and supposed stem cell stimulating goo, that is what the majority of the product would be, not tons of fillers, colors, fragrances, and other needless additives.
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
Black stone, I think you're correct on this one. Keys Soaps look AWESOME!! They might even be better than Pimp!
I'm gonna order their shampoo and conditioner now. If I like them, then I might order some of their other products also.
It's awesome that they're gluten and soy free! Thanks for sharing.
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