What are phthalates?

The problem..
Phthalates are chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system. This means they can cause cancer, sterility and developmental problems. The most worrisome aspect by far is the phthalates' effect on the reproductive development of fetuses and infants.
Why are they used?
When manufactures produce plastics they add chemicals to increase flexibility so that they can create medical tubing, toys, and construction products. Phthalates are one group of these chemicals, called plasticizers, that also are used in beauty products to increase texture and add lustre. Phthalates have been used for so many years in manufacturing that they are found in virtually all corners of the globe and recent testing shows that they are present in humans.
The Outrage
The FDA does not regulate phthalates in beauty products so manufacturers are not required to list them as ingredients. They are often lurking under the generic term of "fragrance" . If you use multiple personal care products your exposures add up. Teenage girls have the highest use of phthalate laden beauty products as they use, on average, 17 products a day.

Label Reading 101

Methylparaben in a carcinogenic so if you read the labels you ought to be able to avoid it right?

Here are all the possible aliases:
BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-, METHYL ESTER; P-CARBOMRYHOXYPHENOL; 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, METHYL ESTER; P-METHOXYCARBONYLPHENOL; METHYL 4-HYDROXYBENZOATE; METHYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE; METHYL PARAHYDROXYBENZOATE; METHYL ESTER BENZOIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-; METHYL ESTER 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID; 4-HYDROXY- METHYL ESTER BENZOIC ACID; METHYLPARABEN

I guess at this point I also wouldn't underestimate the cosmetic companies stealth, they could even create a name like Daisy juice -
D= detrimental
A= alarming
I= insidious
S = substances
Y= you can't find cus we renamed it Daisy juice - ha

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - what is it?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are caustic detergents that are used to produce foam and degrease. They are used in garage floor cleaners and car washes. They are both highly irritating chemicals that cause damage to the hair follicle, skin damage and eye damage. The Laureth version is slightly less irritating but cannot be metabolized by the liver so it has long term negative effect.

I had though that maybe this chemical would be one I could live with as I remember it being in products as a kid. Having read the descriptions of irritation and toxicity I've changed my mind. I notice that the natural products without this (some Tom's of Maine toothpaste) do not have that foamy feel.

Note that many products that claim to be natural and organic still contain SLS's. Tom's of Maine toothpaste has SLS unless it says naturally foaming. 7th Generation dish soap has SLS.

READ LABELS....