HOW TO AVOID TOXIC CHEMICALS IN LIQUID BODY AND HAND WASH
Despite research on the dangers of many toxic chemicals used in hand and body washes, companies continue to use them as they are cheap to produce.
Did you know that foaming agents Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are one of the main ingredients in liquid body and hand soaps that cause dry skin? Although coconut derived its processing results in it being contaminated with 1,4 dioxane a petroleum-derived carcinogenic. According to Archives of Dermatological Research, 2010, Vol.302 (6) it significantly increases water loss from the skin and decreases skin hydration. Also the British Journal of Dermatology Volume 163, Issue 5, 2010 noted that when applying Aqueous Cream BP, containing ∼1% SLS, resulted in thestratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epidermis, thickening with an increased permeability to water loss.
Tetrasodium EDTA is also used in liquid body/hand wash as a preservative. Unfortunately it is made up of formaldehyde and sodium cyanide which are known carcinogens. Cocamide DEA, TEA & MEA is used to thicken personal care products and are known to be hormone disrupting chemicals. Environmental Working Group (EWG) has calculated that one in five personal care products may be contaminated potentially exposing us all to the top seven carcinogenic impurities.
It’s important to realise that whatever you put on your skin penetrates the layers of the skin and enters the bloodstream, without filtering of any kind, causing an inflammatory response. This not only puts undue stress on your immune system but these toxins get stored in our body tissues resulting in toxicity and organ damage.
So what Can You Do to Avoid these?
Stop buying them and Make Your Own Liquid Hand and Body Wash – It’s so SIMPLE….
Equipment (see note* below)
Saucepan
Grater
Bowl
Measuring jug/cup
Stick blender
Funnel
Empty pump bottles
*Note: When water is added to any product there is an opportunity for bacteria to grow. To reduce bacterial growth ensure that all equipment is thoroughly sterilised before use (put in the oven for 20mins on 150ºC). Liquid soap should last 1-2 months. This is for home use and not for sale.
Ingredients
1 bar of vegetable soap (buy organic)
950ml filtered water
Method
Grate soap into a bowl. You should end up with at least 1 cup of soap flakes.
Bring water to boil, then turn down to a simmer.
Add the soap flakes, stirring continuously until the soap has dissolved. It will look very watery at this stage.
Turn the heat off.
Leave the saucepan on the stove top (off) and let it sit for at least 8 hours or overnight.
The mixture should be quite thick. However if it is still runny don’t worry – as it will depend on the ingredients in your bar of soap.
Using a stick blender, mix until it has a liquid soap consistency. I haven’t tried to mix it in the blender/thermomix, but if you try and it works, please let me know
Use a funnel to pour into pump bottles.
Any extra can be stored in a glass jar in a cool dry place e.g. laundry.