Confused over 'organic' products (eg shampoo, soap)

OnePound

Hi :think:

Im trying to go green in the bathroom and am getting rather confused by the multitude of products available all claiming to be 'organic' 'natural' 'pure' 'green' and the like. It seems a lot (all?) of these products have at least some ingredients in them arnt that 'friendly'.

I thought companies like Green People, Aubrey, Jason etc looked good but have found some info on the web claiming some of the ingredients they use are suspect.

Are there any organic experts out there that can advise me on this subject. I think the goverment needs to lay down some legislation over organic products as it has with organic food. It seems to be a bit of a free for all with bathroom stuff!

Heres the info about many 'natural' ingredients...
In particular Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium myreth Sulphate and Decyl Polyglucose seem to crop up in most products.

• NO Phthalates hormone disruptors, associated with developmental problems, particularly in genital birth defects in males & fertility problems in males. Phthalates can be found in products with "fragrance" including lotions, shampoos, baby powders, conditioners, as well as soft plastic teething and other toys, mattresses and PVC plastic bottles. In cosmetic products, Phthalates are used to stabilize synthetic fragrances. A 2008 study found elevated phthalate levels in the urine of babies who had been recently shampooed, powdered or lotioned with conventional baby products. All our products are Phthalate free!
• NO Cocamidopropyl Betaine (synthetic/chemical detergent; prone to contamination w/ cancer causing agents; poss. allergen, skin/eye irritant; linked w/ eczema/dermatitis/rash)
• NO Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl or Propyl Parabens (synthetic/chemical preservatives; made from petroleum pulled up from oil wells just like gasoline and produced in a petrochemical refinery; found in breast tumors; hormone disruptors; research linked to possible lower sperm count in male babies; penetrates the skin and appear in the blood; linked to cell mutations & reproductive and developmental problems; allergens);
• NO Decyl Polyglucose (Chemical detergent/surfactant not assessed for safety by the Cosmetics Industry)
• NO Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (Chemical preservative not assessed for Safety by the Cosmetics Industry; restricted in use in cosmetics in Japan by the Ministry of Health (govt))
• NO Phenoxyethanol (synthetic/chemical preservative; some evidence of developmental toxicity & mutation of cells; hormone disruptors; irritant)
• NO Sodium Laureth Sulfate or SLES: (Synthetic/chemical detergent; prone to contamination w/ cancer-causing agents; enhances penetration of chemicals past skin & into blood; skin irritant/dermatitis/eczema; usually described in brackets as coconut)
• NO Tetrasodium EDTA (synthetic/chemical preservatives; alters skin structure & allows chemicals to penetrate skin & appear in blood; prone to contam. w/ cancer causing agents; respiratory/skin/eye irritant)
• NO Decyl Glucoside (Synthetic/chemical detergent; possible allergen; not assessed for safety in cosmetics by even cosmetics industry panel; little safety data; appears most commonly in so-called “natural” products as derived from plants, but require various chemical reactions to produce.)
• NO PEGs (synthetic/chemical detergent; made from ethylene oxide, a known human carcinogen per the IARC; prone to contamination w/ other cancer-causing agents, such as dioxane; made from petroleum pulled up from oil wells in gasoline production and made in a petrochemical refinery through chemical reactions; irritants.)
• NO Fragrance (harmless-sounding term used to conceal 3000 synthetic chemicals, not flower essential oils, mostly from petroleum, many of which are toxic and potentially cancer-causing, including phthalates (classified by EPA as probable carcinogens) as “trade secrets"
• NO Propylene Glycol (synthetic/chemical used to trap moisture; petroleum-based, like gasoline; pulled up from oil wells & produced in a refinery through chemical reactions using banned racing fuel; allows chemicals to absorb past skin & into blood; hormone disruptor; suspected neurotoxin & immunotoxin; linked with reproductive problems & mutations in cells;allergen);
• NO Salicylic Acid (synthetic/chemical skin-conditioner/acne treatment; allows chemicals to absorb past skin & into blood; studies show reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity & irritant).
• NO Imidazolidinyl Urea (chemical preservative; considered a human skin toxicant by Cosmetics Industry Standards established by Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel; allergen to skin and lungs; prone to contamination with formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen and human immune and respiratory system toxicant).

vl2588

I also try to avoid chemicals where I can. However, some are almost ubiquitous, such as preservatives. I think the only way to guarantee minimum chemicals is to make your own. I have seen lots of recipes on the site for that, maybe in the OS board?

Don't forget that everything has some sort of side effect and some sites will demonise products that aren't really that bad. I agree though that there is a lot of information out there and it is very hard to discern what is genuine and worth paying attention to!

Mojisola

There aren't any legal specifications for non-food organic products but Soil Association Certification (one of the UK's certification bodies) has developed some standards of its own - https://www.sacert.org/Gettingcertified/Whatwedo/Organichealthbeauty/tabid/1176/language/en-US/Default.aspx

If you don't like any of the ingredients they are allowing, it's worth taking it up with them.

Any products that just have the word "organic" on them rather than an organic certifying body's label are just using the word as a marketing term, just the same as the words "fresh", "wholesome", "natural", etc are used.

Using the term "organic" or anything that implies it on the packaging of food which is not certified is illegal but, because there are no legal definitions in relation to non-food products, manufacturers can use it as they wish.

Gigervamp

vl2588 wrote: »

I also try to avoid chemicals where I can.

As every single thing on this planet is made of chemicals, it would be impossible to avoid them.


The trouble with a lot of companies selling *natural* products is that they use greenwash marketing techniques and perpetuate untruths.

Parabens causing cancer is one example. The famous *studies* that found parabens in cancer patients were flawed and other studies since then that were properly conducted and peer reviewed found no evidence to support the claims that parabens cause cancer. However, parabens are still being touted as cancer causing by companies who have jumped on the natural cosmetics bandwagon.

Also, the FDA found that one of those companies mentioned in the OP, didn't disclose it's full ingredients as required by law. Funnily enough, the ingredients not listed were artificial preservatives.

You can make basic skincare products at home using simple ingredients. I highly recommend the Soapdish forum if you want to learn how to make safe cosmetics.

Kitty_jc

Check out Janey Lee Grace's site: http://imperfectlynatural.com/ There is a directory of companies on there, and all their green & ethical credentials check out. Janey & her team personally do this and test the products.

Fire_Fox

Unless any of those claims are backed up by references to research published in a reputable scientific journal I would disregard the website. By far the biggest contributor to health problems, including cancer, is lifestyle. Ensure your family meets or exceeds the current recommendations for healthy eating and physical activity each and every day. 'Natural' substances such as sugar cause inflammation and suppress immune function contributing to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and obesity and have been linked with certain disorders of mental health and learning disabilities. White (refined) carbohydrates behave much the same as sugar once in the body.

rinabean

The best thing in my opinion is to buy natural, simple products. I don't trust any of these fancy "organic" cosmetics and toiletries, the ingredients are the same, they just have a bit of organic something-or-other extract in. I really like the soaps from here: http://www.woadworksperfectlypure.co.uk/

merlin68

The only chemical free products i have come accross are burts bee's and purenuff stuff. They are pricey though I make my own now. You can get loads of recipies free online.

Mankysteve

vl2588 wrote: »

I also try to avoid chemicals where I can.

Thanks for the chuckly.

I'd be rather amazed if anyone can find something that's got no chemicals in it.

Ben84

Some of the claims in the list here are a bit strange. "found in breast tumours" Is this meaningful? After all, so is water. To associate something is not to link it and is no substitute for actual evidence it's linked.

As for "research linked to possible lower sperm count in male babies", male humans don't produce *any* sperm until puberty when they're about 13. I wonder where this one came from? Made up entirely or a strange misrepresentation of some real research?

tigerpaws

I just joined the forums to post on this thread, as it's quite literally my job to know these things!

A really good website is the CTPA's The Facts About - I'm not allowed to post links so you'll have to google! I definitely recommend it for answering questions on cosmetic ingredients etc. So much nonsense gets written about cosmetic ingredients and the dangers surrounding them, I like to try and spread a little clarity...hope somebody finds it useful!